MATCH REPORT: 2004/2005 Season
8 January 2005: FA CUP ROUND THREE
READING 1 SWANSEA CITY 1
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goals
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Reading: Ingimarsson (88 mins). Swansea City: Connor (32 mins). |
Half Time: 0-1 Attendance: 13,642 |
teams
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Reading: Hahnemann, Hughes, Shorey, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Little, Sidwell, Harper (Morgan, 77 mins), Convey, Forster, Ferdinand (Owusu, 59 mins).
Subs not used: Young, Brooker, Newman.
Swansea City: Gueret, Ricketts, Austin, Monk, Iriekpen, Forbes, Gurney, Britton, Robinson, Trundle, Connor (Anderson, 62 mins) Subs not used: Murphy, Nugent, Maylett, Fisken. | |
bookings
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Reading: Sidwell. Swansea City: Robinson. Referee: C Penton. |
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report
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A late strike from Ivar Ingimarsson rescued Reading from an early exit from the FA Cup as the Royals came from a goal behind to force a replay against Swansea in the third round. Reading had most of the possession throughout the game, and again created a whole series of chances, but struggled to find the target. The Royals went behind just after half an hour when the visitors put in a scrappy goal inside the area that sneaked into the bottom corner. Les Ferdinand made his Reading debut and played alongside Forster but both players missed a series of chances as both Little and Convey fired in a number of crosses. Convey played the full ninety minutes and although he appeared a bit lightweight on a number of occassions will probably be pleased with his performance. The best effort of the first half saw a dipping volley from Convey narrowly go over the bar. After going in 0-1 down at half time the second half belonged to Reading with Swansea happy to defend. Swansea's defence looked like it was going to hold strong despite a Reading effort that looked to have crossed the line and a potential penalty that was waved away as the ball was clearly handled in the area. The breakthrough didn't look like coming and when it did it was from the foot of our central defender who drove home an excellent shot from outside the area that hit the left hand post before ending up in the opposite side of the net.
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FANS' POST MATCH OPINION
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A match in which Reading never gave up and eventually got their reward, a scorching drive from Ingimarrson that went in off the post. However for all the inventiveness of Convey and Little on the wings, Ferdinand up front and useful Sonko distribution, Reading were still finding it difficult to find the back of the net. Its not as though chance aren't being created. In both the Derby game and this one Reading created a multitude of clear cut opportunities but again a combination of nervy finishing and downright bad luck meant that we face a Sky rematch on Monday.
A less than convincing performance really & Reading can count themselves lucky to still be in the draw for the next round. The team looked more than a bit lethargic & jaded whilst Swansea looked very motivated & up for the game. Positives though were Convey's performance & also Ferdinand showed touches of class & hopefully will get better the more he plays, especially as our attack is still looking rather toothless at the moment (Forster especially continues to look worryingly below his best, or even half of it!). At the moment, the team's dip in form still isn't proving too costly (we're still in touch at the top & still in the cup), but things need to improve before it does start to affect the league position in particular.
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