Match Report - Home vs Stoke City

Division One
20 January 1996

READING 1 STOKE CITY 0
Att: 8,000
READING TEAM: Sutton, Bernal, Booty, Wdowczyk (Gilkes), Williams, Gooding, Parkinson, Holsgrove, Quinn, Morley, Nogan

This report is based on what my Dad told me over the phone since I'm stuck in Norwich.

Reading put in an average performance and still managed to come away with the points. The only notable shot from Reading in the first half came from Parkie who had a terrific long range shot tipped over the bar by the Stoke Keeper.

Reading's goal came on 67 minutes from Gooding. A wonderful solo effort. Gooding picked the ball up on the half way line and took it all the way. He passed a couple of defenders on the left wing before advancing through into the middle, turned another defender arriving slightly right of center and just outside the box. The lad then unleashed a mighty shot into the left of the net. 1-0 to the Royals and the eventual winner despite strong Stoke resistance.

Quinn had a couple of good efforts where he could have netted. A couple of long range efforts ended up off target. Quinn had a good game playing the ball around just behind the front two in a Venables Christmas Tree style formation. Up front Nogan and Morley seemed to do little.

Stoke his the woodwork about 4 times in the second half as they pushed to equalise. Stoke should have got more from this game and will be very dissapointed going away with no points. Reading held out to the end with help from the posts and with little credit to the defence.

Royals new signing for 75,000 quid from Crewe, Booty, had an excellent game in the defence, and looks a positive bargain. His ball play was excellent and he worked well in passing movements laying off and collecting the ball well. He also seems to have a great ability to push forward and played a number of decent low crosses that caused the Stoke defence a bit of trouble.

Parkie had a good game while Adie was very dissapointing in the center of defence. Reading also look set for a new goalkeeping record as Chris Sutton become the SEVENTH goalkeeper to play for the Royals this season joining the end of the list after Sheppard, Woods, Mihaylov, Hammond, Quinn (!), and Eric Nixon. Is this a record already?

Heres hoping we stuff the Manure on Saturday! I wonder who'll be in goal?

Graham