MATCH REPORT: 2005/2006 Season

13 August 2005: LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
PRESTON 0 READING 3
goals
Reading: Lita (34 mins, 46 mins), Little (57 mins).
Preston: -
Half Time: 0-1
Attendance: 13,154

CHAMPIONSHIP 13 Aug 2005
Pos Team P Pts GD
3 Wolves 3 7 +2
4 READING 3 6 +4
5 Sheff Utd 3 6 +3
teams
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Shorey, Little (Oster 87), Sidwell, Harper, Convey (Hunt 84), Kitson, Lita. Subs Not Used: Doyle, Stack, Makin.
Preston: Nash, Alexander, Lucketti, Mawene, Davidson, Sedgwick (Jones 82), Etuhu, O'Neil, McKenna (Dichio 58), Nugent, Cresswell (Lewis Neal 82). Subs Not Used: Davis, Agyemang.
bookings
Reading: -
Preston: Davidson, Cresswell.
Referee: L Probert (Gloucestershire).
report

Leroy Lita hit two goals, and Glen Little hit the third as Reading pulled off a spectacular 3-0 victory at Preston North End this afternoon. Preston, unbeaten at home in the league since November 2004, were big favourites to win but came up against a confident Reading side on the back of an important win at Brighton. The Royals made a bright start but Preston probably enjoyed slightly the better of a reasonably even first half. The home side had a couple of chances to pull ahead but failed to hit the target and then discovered some determined defending from Reading. Just after the half hour Convey set up Lita who put Reading ahead with his second goal of the season. The goal changed the pattern of the game and Preston were restricted to even fewer chances as Reading looked the better side after the break. The second Reading goal, just after half time, was a repeat combination with a long pass from Bobby Convey again finding Leroy Lita who made no mistake to make it 2-0 to the Royals. Convey was having another excellent game and was involved again in the third goal that sealed the victory, when a good move from Reading saw Shorey cross for Glen Little to score his second of the season. This was a very determined performance from Reading - and a comfortable victory in what should have been one of the more difficult games of the season. Reading lie in fourth place in the table after three games.

FANS' POST MATCH OPINION

A superb peformance and result, the players worked hard early on and in the end got what they deserved. I think Convey and Shorey down the left combined and played very well, looks like Convey`s big money move could pay-off. Leroy Lita also showed why we payed big money for him with two well taken goals, and put us in the driving seat. After Lita`s goals there was no looking back as we played some really neat and tidy Football with Glenn Little adding the third. With Little and Convey on form with Lita upfront it looks promising. Last season we was abit of a 1 man team with Kitson, but to win at Preston 3-0 and Kitson not much involved is brilliant. We should not get carried away but with peformances like that we could well be in that top 6 come April. Can't wait untill Saturday.
LoyalRoyal22

Great to be back and be able to comment upon two excellent away wins. Maybe we really do have depth of squad talent this year which is so needed in this Division as proved last year when we lost Dave Kitson at such an important time.It would be great if were to be the leading goal scorers this season and I believe we can as it is all about being able to play the ball 'to feet' and ability to score goals from varying positions.Already the service provided by Convey and Little is clearly giving the opposition the of problems we like.Well done lads: now let us make the 'Madstat' our fortress.
Terry, Isle of Wight.

Two good away wins has been an excellent response to the disappointment of the Plymouth defeat. Lita continues to score the goals and Convey continues to impress as well. And good to see Little getting in on the act too. Finally, two clean sheets is a very positive thing to see too. There won't be many teams that get such a good result at Deepdale this season and the team have shown they're capable of not letting a result like the Plymouth one phase them. Now they need to continue the good work against troubled Millwall next Saturday.
Caversham Royal.

Got an opinion? E-Mail us at opinion@royals.org
Appropriate submissions will appear on match report pages