MATCH REPORT: 2006/2007 Season
23 September 2006: FA PREMIER LEAGUE
READING 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 1
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goals
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Reading: Doyle (48 mins, pen).
Man Utd: Ronaldo (73 mins). |
Half Time: 0-0 Attendance: 24,098
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teams
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Reading:
Hahnemann, Murty (Bikey 89), Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Ki-Hyeon (Hunt 85), Sidwell, Harper, Convey, Lita (Gunnarsson 76), Doyle.
Subs Not Used: Stack, Long.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Vidic, Ferdinand, Heinze (O'Shea 70), Fletcher (Solskjaer 70), Carrick, Scholes, Richardson (Saha 58), Ronaldo, Rooney. Subs Not Used: Brown, Kuszczak. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
bookings
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Reading: -
Man Utd: - Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire). |
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report
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This was an excellent performance from the Royals that showed they are capable of competing with the cream of English football. Reading might even have taken the full three points after going ahead in the second half, but it was always going to be a tall order to hold out against Manchester United's multi-million pound force. It was a dream to watch as every Reading player gave their all to hold off the likes of Scholes, Ronaldo and Rooney. Reading excelled in defence - and showed quality over the rest of the field too. There couldn't have been a bigger contrast between Tuesday night's defensive performance against Darlington and this show against one of the best strike forces in the world. Shorey, Sonko, Ingimarsson and Murty were a class apart from Tuesday's line-up and well all at the top of their games - they did incredibly well to limit United's chances throughout.
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FANS' POST MATCH OPINION
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Well done chaps. Everyone played out of their skins and even though Convey is still looking to make his mark as an attacking force, he defended as well as anyone. Everyone around me thought we were giving them too much respect and not getting close enough early on but soon realised that when you get too close to these overpaid internationals, they will turn and leave you for dead. So once again Coppell got his tactics spot on and the team played out of their skins for 90 mins. Ronaldo - great goal and great skills but why all that bloody play acting? He just looks like the prat he is. Strength in depth is an issue over the months ahead but we're not the only club with that problem. Now off to Upton Park to give Pardew's boys more problems. Keep it up boys!
Have you ever heard noise like what was heard in the Madjeski yesterday against the mighty Man U? I certainly haven't. Though nobody will probably admit it, I like many are starting to think maybe we are good enough to play at this level and judged on the first six games and what we are witnessing on the pitch I really think we are. What's so amazing is with the exception of Seol it's the same side as last year and I must admit I'd never thought I'd see Murty, Sonko, Harper and co playing and completing at this level but that's exactly what they are doing and with truly magnificent effect. We can get better, Convey has to start showing last seasons form and Kitson when back will give us the chance to hold the ball up better up front but let's enjoy yesterday. 1-1 was a fair a result and the fact Man U could not beat us is a huge confidence booster.
I'm running out of words to praise Sonko and Iceman Ingimarsson but yet again like a pair of colossuses they were quite awesome repelling all Man U could throw at them. These really are happy days and lets enjoy every second of it, any Reading fan who'd have watched Match of the Day last night would have felt so proud and have tingles listening the so called experts laud RFC and rightly give the fans praise and recognition for the noise we made and the support for the team. Who'd have thought it!
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