Match Report - Home VS Southend

Division One

Tuesday 21 February 1995

READING 2 SOUTHEND 0

Att: 7,914

Scorers: HOLSGROVE (56th Min), NOGAN (64)

Theres 3 reports here... One from me, one from Chris Price, one from Jerry Morley...

When Quinn and Gooding were first appointed player/managers I had my doubts. They have now all but vanished. I remember Jimmy being quoted as saying that he would always be sure of a place because he would never drop himself (apparently a joke). Well hes gone against his word which for this game was brilliant. He knew he has been out of form recently and is fully aware of the lack of goals that we are putting in despite creating more than enough chances. With Quinn on the bench this allowed Uwe Hartenberger to have a rare chance to prove himself. And the striker set to leave the club at the end of the season done great.

After ten minutes Uwe was involved in the thick of the action - clearing a goal bound shot off the line. He then went close in the first half, narrowly failing to give the Royals the lead. After the early scare Reading dominated the game looking every bit like promotion material. And Jimmys managerial skill paid off with not one but two home goals. Is this the second highest win of the season after the 4-0 win against Stoke? (when they had 2 players sent off!) Kerr also went close in the first half.

So we went in level at half time. And everyone was preparing themselves for another wonderful 0-0 home draw. But it wasn't to be. Both Holsgrove and Nogan netted their second for the club, and Nogan was all out to prove the rumours that he is not a pile of crap. Maybe hes right? And we ran out 2-0 winners. Lambert started the game for a change. So thats 3 wins out of 4 now and now we are just 3 points off the top again. If we dont win the thing with any luck we will be off to Wembley again this season in the play off final!

Graham.

Heres a report from Chris Price...

Reading 2 - 0 Southend
Holsgrove 57'
Nogan 64'

Attendance :- 7800

Hard to enthuse about this game. Reading were very professional and deserved to win by more without doing anything really special. They should have been at least three up by half time. Uwe hitting the post, Dylan scraping the bar and Jamie putting wide from the six yard line (he stopped because he thought he was offside,) The only first half attack from Southend was a 40 yard volley which Shaka made appear better than it was. I think he was taking the piss! Southend's woeful performance could surely only be put down to the flashlight photography which we were kindly informed was upsetting the players!

Second half Southend started a little brighter but this didn't last long. Eventually holsgrove scored, nice build up with lucky finish. Seven minutes later Nogan headed a second. Reading were basically in cruise control.

It must be said that Southend's peformance was barely even divison 2 standard. I went to the away game and they had much more vigour. They must be a hot tip for relegation. Reading got the three points with a minimum of fuss. As far as I recall there were two Reading bookings Lambert and Parkinson but am willing to be corrected.

Man of the match: Joint winners Parky for great effort Nogan for his impersonation of Mark Hughes!

Heres another report from Jerry Morley.....

I went to the match and enjoyed a very polished performance by the Rampant Rip Roaring Royals. I also think Lambert and Parkinson were booked although the ref absolutely refused to talk to the linesman when booking Parky even though the "foul" was committed 10 yards away and the ref was 30 yards away.

There was also a potentially explosive confrontation between Jeff "split lip" Hopkins and Andy Ansah. Ansah and Hoppy were chasing for the ball, linked arms and Ansah did a sort of judo hip throw to floor Jeff. Ansah's boot and Jeff's lip connected and our Jeff was not a happy bunny. Ansah eventually limped off the pitch and was not replaced because Sarfend had already used their two subs.

It looks like Uwe will be getting an extended run in the first team. He did nothing wrong and Micky Gooding was fairly enthusiastic about him in the post-match BBC Radio Berkshire interview.

Lee Nogan looked a lot sharper than he did when he first arrived, he played against West Brom and I was doubtful about him but from last night's performance it looks like he will live up to his price tag.

Meridian did the match justice in their 23:40 Midweek Sports Special coverage as well. A very satisfying evening and I look forward to a Lee Nogan hat trick against his former club on March 4th.