Match Report vs Wolves
Wolves 3 READING 1Att: 19,785
Team: Howie; Gray, Primus, Parkie, Crawford; Meaker(Morley), Lovell, McIntyre, Caskey, Lambert; Brayson.
Man Of The Match: Archie Lovell.
Reading were magnificent on Saturday. For much of the game the Royals played Wolves of the park with some passionate, exciting, battling football. But such is the luck of the team rooted to the bottom of the table that we came away with nothing. And so that's it. It was a game we had to win, and the lads gave it their best shot, but now it's all over and Reading will be playing second division football next season. But we didn't go down without a fight.
With roughly forty eight thousand and seventy three players out injured, plus Fleck and Bernal out suspended, Reading were always going to start the game with a slightly unusual line up. Although I'm already used to us playing one up front I didn't expect it to be Brayson - I'm also used to Parkie playing in the centre of defence with our current injury problems - the real shock for me was Archie playing a full game in the centre of midfield with Caskey and McIntyre. But he was probably the best player on the field. Wolves meanwhile were, yet again, without some of the ex-Royals that the fat Scottish McGhee has bought in for Wolves, Osbourn and Curle both started though.
Reading's 1,400 travelling fans did their best to make Reading feel at home outsinging the home fans before the game and for the entire first half. Wolves' fans didn't have anything to get excited about until 10 minutes into the game when the home side took the lead. Parkie failed to close down their number two outside the area. And as if from nothing the ball was in the back of the net. He controlled it, and with no Royals player nearby, took his time before letting fly sending the ball past the outstretched Howie to the right corner of Howie's net. 0-1. I started to think it was all over by then. I just couldn't see us coming back from a goal behind to get the victory that was essential for first division survival. But Reading looked determined to prove the doubters wrong.
Lovell and Meaker were combining dangerously down the right wing. Some lovely first time on-the-floor passing across the field from Reading started to create some great chances for Reading. Meaker sent in a few decent crosses that didn't find anyone in the middle and then McIntyre tried a shot from the centre just inside the area that needed a save, and Parkie had a chance to score. Meaker picked up the end of a great move from left to right by cutting into the box - his low shot an easy save for the Wolves' keeper though. Archie Lovell then thought he'd have a go but was blocked by the Wolves defence. All of a sudden we had some exciting end to end stuff - Wolves really should have moved further ahead but with just Howie to beat blasted over from close range with a horrendous miss to leave Reading in the game.
Then, just on the stroke of half time, when it looked like we were in for another frustrating afternoon, Reading went on the attack again. McIntyre battled forward yet again to put some pressure on Segers in the Wolves area, the ball came out to Brayson - stood just central just outside the box. Brayson seemed to take ages. He controlled the ball and looked to be weighing up the options. I expected the crunching tackle at any moment and the chance to be gone but no. Brayson swung back his leg and the ball was heading goalbound. Segers got a touch but the ball nestled in the right side of the net. YES! 1-1! At last - the break Reading so desperately needed.
The half time whistle went with massive renewed hope within the Reading fans. I really felt we could do it. The away fans were in fine voice singing the praises of Tommy Burns blue and white army and the not so appreciative verses about the fatter Scottish manager in the ground. "We Are Staying Up!". And when the second half got underway it looked as though we were going to be right.
For twenty minutes we played our socks off. Far better than the first half. We were simply brilliant, playing some of the best football we've played all season. The stuff you dream about from a Reading team - everything on the floor and played first time - and actually finding the right man. OK, it didn't always go exactly to plan. But saying there was promising signs is a massive under-exaggeration. In the heart of this was Stuart Lovell, Caskey, and McIntyre feeding the ball off each other. Meaker continued to threaten down the right getting plenty off balls from Lovell. We were completely outplaying Wolves. Surely it was just a question of when we'd take the lead.
Lovell broke into the box on the right took it close but gave Segers an easy save at the near post. A great cross from the left found Brayson deep into the box. Brayson shot sending the ball high over the Wolves' bar when he really should have scored - if he'd left it Meaker was there waiting to drive it into the net. Lambert blasted a free kick over the bar. Meaker and Lambert played in the croses but there was no-one to meet them. And then Wolves took the lead and once again it was a case of what could have been. 1-2. And just after that the game turned even more in Wolves favour.
A high ball over the top found Meaker in a one-on-one challenge with Segers. Segers ran out of his goal, Meaker went in and went down in a heap just inside the box. Segers went legging it after the ball - obviously limping - and then strangely stopped the ball far out on the touch line. He obviously bizarrely wanted play to continue - even though he was stranded from his goal and unable to get back there quickly. All we needed to do was lob the ball into the empty net - but we took too long. With the away fans going mental for someone to have a go we played it around before eventually letting Segers get back to block the eventual shot. Bollocks.
Meaker limped off to be replaced by Morley and it was clear the game had turned. Meaker had always looked a threat - Morley was more interested in moaning than trying to get the ball into the net. Moments later we could have pulled it level again though: Brayson had a wicked shot on the right. I lept out of my seat with about 1,000 other Royals fans. YESSSSSS!!!! Shit, no. The ball shaved the post and out for the goal kick.
With the game apparantly won, Wolves starting playing with us. They started playing possession stuff - knocking the ball around the park playing out the game to the delight of the Wolves fans - who at last started making some noise sensing victory. As the game entered injury time it was clear we hadn't given up - but we were completely worn out. Wolves, having made three substitutions looked the fresher side and then it was no suprise when they added a third in injury time to prompt a massive chorus of "Are you watching Mark McGhee?" from the home fans - dropping hints about Goodman's recent exclusion from the side. It's clear McGhee is just as unpopular up there. Decent enough supporters these Wolves' lot. Thanks to those who said "Unlucky Lads" on the way past after the game, a huge f**k off to those singing "Always look on the bright side..."
At the final whistle Reading got a standing ovation. They never deserved to lose. And on a performance like this we don't deserve to go down. But football's not like that and it's far too late. Archie was brilliant in the middle - let's hope he keeps his number 4 shirt! McIntrye was tireless yet again. Primus and Parkie were OK in defence although Grey and Crawford didn't impress. Brayson could have had a hattrick on another day.
A defeat at Forest on Sunday will finally mathematically seal our relegation fate.
But whatever, there's enough promising signs to get excited about next season.
Graham