Match Report vs Peterborough
PETERBOROUGH 0 READING 2
Att:
Team: Mautone, Booty, Swales, Houghton, McPherson, Primus, Parkinson, Hodges, Asaba (Roach), Williams, Lambert.
Reading bounced back from their 0-6 humiliation at the weekend with a fairly comfortable 2-0 victory at Peterborough. So Reading progress to the third round of the Coca-Cola cup and set up the possibility of a big tie to brighten up what is otherwise threatening to be a very dull season. It's easy to get excited about a rare 2-0 away victory, however, it really should be put into perspective. Peterborough played 88 minutes of the game with only ten men. It took Reading 50 minutes to score about a 10 man third division team.
Parkie was once again outstanding as he continued his way single handedly towards the player of the season award. His first contribution was in the centre circle just 2 minutes in the game. Parkie went down under a foul and moments later the 'Boro player was off for a very early bath.
Asaba was again reponsible for some blinding misses. He really should have put the Royals ahead before the half time break. A cross from Lambert gave Asaba the full target of the goal, with nothing in his way except no more than five yards of space. Somehow Asaba guided it off his head and over the bar. Five minutes the other side of the break Asaba at last got it right. Good play from Houghton and the ball was at Asaba's feet inside the area. This time he got it right and drove it into the back of the net. Only his third goal for the club in 12 games. Asaba's other notable moment was limping off injured with about 15 minutes left, to be replaced by Roach.
After Reading took the lead they looked noticably calmer and like they might actually win something for a change. We enjoyed a bit of posession and then Martin Williams put the game beyond Peterborough midway through the second half. A low cross from the left from Jamie Lambert found Williams just right of centre on the edge of the box. A diagonal low shot put the Royals 2-0 up.
So at last, a much needed win.
However, it was hardly much of a test.
Portsmouth on Saturday will show if Reading really have got what it takes to survive in Division One.
Graham.