Match Report: 2010/2011 Season
8 January 2011: FA CUP ROUND 3
READING 1 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0
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goals
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Reading: Long (41 mins). West Brom: - |
Half Time: 1-0. Attendance: 13,005
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teams
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Reading:
Federici, Mills, Harte, Pearce, Cummings, McAnuff, Leigertwood, Kebe, Karacan, Hunt (Robson-Kanu, 86), Long (Church, 75)
Subs not used: Tabb,Howard,Ingimarsson,Antonio,McCarthy,
West Brom: Myhill, Cech, Jara, Zuiverloon, Hurst, Scharner (Olsson, 46(sent off 60)), Morrison, Brunt, Dorrans, Barnes (Thomas, 63), Miller (Bednar, 52) Subs not used: Fortune, Carson, Cox, Shorey, |
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bookings
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Reading: -
West Brom: Dorrans, Olsson Ref: Jonathan Moss (West Yorkshire) |
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report
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Another clinical finish by Shane Long sent the Royals through to the Fourth Round of the F A Cup. Reading dominated the first half and took the lead five minutes before the interval. Reading's task was made easier when Olsson was sent off for a pair of clumsy fouls in quick succession on Shane Long early in the second half. Albion had neither the desire nor the cutting edge to trouble Reading's defence although the Royals did seem surprisingly edgy as full time approached in spite of the advantage of an extra man.
It might have been a different story had referee Moss given what appeared to be a penalty after six minutes when Harte's chronic lack of pace was exposed by Miller. Harte's challenge inside the box was from behind and it is hard to see how it could have been a fair tackle. However that was Albion's best opportunity of the entire game and Reading dominated the first half constantly putting Albion under pressure. Harte curled a free kick narrowly wide and Cummings and Kebe were tormenting the visitors defence on the right as was McAnuff on the left. Myhill pulled off a brilliant reflex save from a Hunt header on sixteen minutes prompting chants from the away fans about his status as 'Albion's number one' which must have made Carson, sitting on the bench, feel very uncomfortable. Albion were very physical and were lucky not to receive more yellow cards than the three they received in the second half. Kebe was fired up and taking players on, but also showing uncharacteristic determination to win the ball. One 50 - 50 challenge at full stretch was particularly impressive. The breakthrough came on forty minutes when Hunt timed his leap perfectly to flick the ball on to Long. In his current form it was no surprise to see him show superb touch, strength and pace to put himself in a scoring position before driving the ball across the goal inside the upright. Reading started the second half in similar fashion and Olsson, on for Sharner at half time, clattered Long and was booked. Albion had good chances to level the scores but Morrison headed wide from close range and then hit the bar with a looping long range effort. Olsson showing a remarkable lack of discipline ended his brief appearance with a lunge at Long on the edge of the box. Albion had not looked particularly interested at any stage and it should have been easy for the Royals to finish them off but for some reason they became edgy and careless. Certainly good opportunities were wasted when breaking out of their own half with a numerical advantage. Poor passing and movement let them down when the time an space was there to carve Albion open. Long and Hunt went off and Reading seemed less able to hold on to ball in their opponents half with Robson-Kanu and Church up front. It did not matter in the end. Reading defended well as a unit and held on for a well deserved victory. It was good team performance again but Long and Cummings were outstanding. Reading fans can now dream of another Cup run and there will not be many teams that will fancy a trip to the Madstad. John Wells |
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