Match Report: 2011/2012 Season
23 August 2011: LEAGUE CUP ROUND 1
CHARLTON 2 READING 1
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goals
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Reading: Sean Morrison (73 mins).
Charlton: Paul Benson (25 mins), Jason Euell (64 mins). |
Half Time: 1-0. Attendance: 6,668
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teams
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Reading: A McCarthy, I Harte (H Robson-Kanu, 62), S Morrison, S Cummings, B Khumalo, J McAnuff, J Tabb, B Howard, J Obita (J Mills, 62), S Church, M Manset.
Subs not used: N Hunt, A Pearce, B Gunnarsson, M Andersen, J Karacan. Charlton: B Hamer, S Francis, G Doherty (M Morrison, 72), Y Mambo, C Evina, R Bover Izquierdo (C Solly, 88), A Hughes, D Green, B Pritchard, J Euell, P Benson (S Wagstaff, 50). Subs not used: J Sullivan, B Davisson, T Popo, F Warren |
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bookings
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Reading: Robson-Kanu, McAnuff.
Charlton: - Ref: D Whitestone. |
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report
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It was obvious from team selection that Reading were not committed to progressing further in this competition. With Leigertwood and Kebe not even on the bench, two inexperienced strikers, an untried pairing in the centre of defence and a defensively lightweight midfield, a Charlton victory looked very much on the cards.
From the kick-off Reading looked very wobbly at the back and McCarthy was left exposed on several occasions due to poor marking, players being caught out of position and some very sloppy passing. Fortunately for Reading, Charlton’s finishing was poor, and McCarthy, although rusty from lack of recent first team experience, responded well with good saves in one to one situations. Gradually the Royals settled down and began passing the ball around well but were unable to convert possession in to chances. As the half progressed Charlton began to gain control as Reading failed to win the ball in the air and came off second best in most of the tackles. Tabb the exception was overworked trying to compensate for Howard who seemed intent on conceding possession with the most elaborate pass selection. Charlton finally took advantage of Reading’s defensive weaknesses and took the lead through Benson. Reading almost equalised on the stroke of half time but ex–Royal Hamer produced a brilliant save to prevent Howard’s shot from curling into the top corner. Reading came out determined to make a game of it and had Charlton on the back foot. McAnuff got past the full back in spite of an attempt to take him out with a clumsy lunge and produced an excellent cross which Church headed just over at the near post. Manset won a free kick on the edge of the box in a dangerous central position with a good diagonal run but Harte continued his miserable season floating the kick over the bar. Charlton extended the lead when veteran striker Euell beat Reading’s defence to a low cross and turned the ball past McCarthy. Reading fought back and Manset and Morrison had headers cleared off the line in quick succession as they tried to restore some dignity. Reading pulled a goal back when Morrison scored after Charlton had failed to deal with a corner but the equaliser did not look on the .cards as Reading struggled to create good openings even with Robson- Kanu on to strengthen the attack. Church forced Hamer into a good save with a well struck free kick. As time ran out Robson-Kanu kept possession well on the edge of the box and was looking for a passing option out wide where he saw a lot of empty space in front of his captain who had given up the cause and was strolling over the half way line. I would expect better from a captain of a side in the dying seconds of a cup tie. On a more positive note Manset continues to improve and does offer a bit of creativity and imagination to the attack. Church however continues to disappoint with his finishing but what is inexcusable is his apparent unwillingness to compete for the ball in the air or close defenders down. Although this result has nothing to do with the real business of the league it was the third consecutive defeat which is not good for morale. John Wells |
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