Reading goal: Taylor (87 minutes)
Att: 10,301
A fair result after a hard fought contest left both sets of fans happy with a point. The first half started brightly enough for Reading, with quick passing to feet and were generally first to the loose ball. The referee John Brandwood was soon to become unpopular, blowing-up for niggly little fouls (most in Boro's fovour) whilst dangerous chalenges were consistantly unpunished. Reading were quick to get the ball forward fired-up by a tremendous "cup-tie" crowd, but the crossing was poor and always found the heads of the Boro defense. A strong, solid Boro defense seemed almost impenatrable, and whilst Reading defended well, it was always Boro that seemed more likely to score, prevented though by some excellent saving tackles by the likes of Kerr and Wdowczyk. It was heading for stalemate at half- time when the Boro midfielder Robbie Mustoe made an extremely late challenge and picked-up his second yellow card. Cheerio! The second half was much like the first with both sides looking good but creating few chances, however Reading's passing deteriorated a little, especially from Kerr. On 60 minutes a through ball left Macca standing and it was only when the Boro player was in the box that Macca decided to puul him down. This was unnecessary as Wdowczyk had got back to cover, and there was still Hislop to beat from an acute angle. Cheerio Macca for the second yellow card. The penalty was fired home low to the right with Shaka diving the wrong way. With about fifteen minutes left the Gaffer decided to bring on Scott Taylor. However God was not up to his usual form and it took him a good ten minutes to get his goal. his was put through on the left edge of the penalty area and place his shot to the right of the advancing Miller. The ball took an agonisingly long time to find the corner. Two minutes later the ball fell to God again on the right but this time his shot went flying over.
A good performance and a good home crowd were not enough to beat an excellent and well organised Boro side who are looking a good bet for promotion.
It was good to see a nearly full-strength Reading side, however with an imminant suspension for Macca, and Hopkins (knee) and Williams (neck) still injured the defence may be a bit weak.
Reading: Hislop, Bernal, Kerr, Wdowczyk, McPerson, Jones (Taylor), Gilkes, Gooding, Quinn, Lovell, Osborn. Subs not used: Parkinson, Sheppard
Boro: Miller, Cox, Morris, Vickers, Whyte, Pearson, Hignett, Pollock, Wilkinson, Hendrie, Mustoe
Match Report By: JULIAN ROBINSON
Cheers!
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