Match Report - Home VS West Brom

Coca-Cola Cup - Round Two, Leg One

20 September 1995

READING 1 WEST BROM 1
(Lovell 81st min)
Att: 6,900

READING: Sheppard, Bernal, Lambert, Holsgrove (Quinn, 73), Thorp (M. Williams, H/T; Kerr 81), McPherson, Gilkes, Parkinson, Nogan, Lovell, Jones.
ALBION: Naylor, Burgess, Edwards, Coldicott, Mardon, Raven, Donovan, Gilbert, Taylor, Hunt, Hamilton. Subs (not used): Rees, Reece, Ashcroft.
Referee: Ian Hemley (Ampthill).

Report by Dean Madden...
This would be an evening to silence the doubters. The air of re-found confidence on the terraces was almost palpable. We had withstood our worst enemy. Shepp had proved his mettle. Boris was waiting in the wings. Thorp (once spurned by McGhee) had captivated the crowds and caught the fat controller's men off-guard. There was talk of a new midfield signing to help redress our mid-table misery. The Royals were on their way back! And tonight, to prove it, we'd beat West Brom - a bogey team in what for us is a bogey competition.

To a dispassionate observer the situation might have seemed a little less predictable. Several of our most experienced players (Adie, Dariusz and Mick Gooding) were out injured. The indomitable Geordie had dragged himself from hospital to oversee the match, a drain tube still attached to his side, knowing that he faced an operation the next morning. In any other context this heroic story would have captured the media's attention and the public's imagination. As it was, even the local papers gave only scant coverage (sadly, the Chronicle's reporter still refers to Lee LOGAN).The attendance at Elm Park was disappointingly low, yet despite everything there was a feeling of optimism as we waited for the kick-off.

During the first 45 minutes the Royals' performance was solid yet dull as we failed to make the breakthrough. Our only chance in the first half came when Lambert, on the left of midfield, had a shot that Nogan nearly headed in - but it was not to be. Effective defence on both sides and a save by Shepp contributed towards a stalemate in the first half.

We came back noticably more determined after half time, minus Michael Thorp who'd suffered a recurrance of the groin strain he'd received at Leicester. Lambert had another go at goal, forcing a save by Stuart Naylor. Then in the 50th minute there was a free kick from Jones, picked up by Holsgrove, who lofted the ball just over the bar. Unfortunately this marked the start of a prolonged spell in which West Brom, now gaining in confidence, dominated. Our passing went to pieces and Sheppard was forced to make several important saves.

The first enemy shot came from David Gilbert and was easily caught by Shepp. Minutes later there was a dicey moment when a Bob Taylor ball glanced off the inside of the right post after a cross from Donovan. Gilkesy managed to clear a potential goal from the line with a well-timed header. Taylor had another pot at goal, but it went wide, then Shepp made two more saves in rapid succession. With West Brom piling on the pressure their first goal seemed almost inevitable; it came in the 70th minute after a corner wasn't cleared. Donovan passed to Daryl Burgess, who headed the ball into the net. Our hearts sank. With Albion mounting such a concerted attack their eventual victory looked assured.

Sir Jimmy rose from the bench and substituted himself for Holsgrove. Although our pace improved, Gilkes was soon forced to head another ball off the line. There was another substitution. Dylan Kerr's return to the pitch was met with great enthusiasm - and the ritual prayers - partly because he replaced the lacklustre Michael Williams. Almost immediately, Kerr had the ball. He passed to Quinn. Quinn knocked the ball to Nogan... Nogan passed to Archie... and then... amazingly... Archie fired an incredible turning shot from about 20 yards out. There was a moment of disbelief before we realised that the ball was IN THE NET! The South Bank erupted! You can imagine the scenes of jubilation, the feeling of relief... Some time later (and two steps further down) the match continued. Only Naylor's prompt action prevented a Royals' win in the closing minute as Kerr tried for another goal. While Albion looked like the better side for much of the game we're now in with a chance. A draw that tasted of victory!