LEAGUE
DIVISION TWO OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0 READING 1 (Half Time: 0-1) |
|
Reading Scorers:
Cureton (19 mins). Oldham Scorers: - |
Date:
23 October 2001 Attendance: 4,901 |
Reading: Whitehead, Murty, Viveash, Whitbread (Henderson 89), Robinson, A.Smith, Harper, Parkinson, Hughes (N.Smith 70), Cureton (Forster 68), Butler. Subs not used: Ashdown, Shorey. Oldham:
Kelly, McNiven, Balmer, Holden (Armstrong 70), D.Sheridan, Dudley, Duxbury,
Gill (Rickers 40), Eyres, Tipton (Allott 65), Richards. Subs not used:
Miskelly, J.Sheridan. |
Reading made it two straight away wins with a vital 1-0 victory over Oldham Athletic this evening. The Royals who kicked off with an unchanged eleven from the team that won at Notts County were favourites for defeat before kick-off. However the win puts Reading firmly back on track for the season, as they prepare to face League leaders Brentford at home on Saturday. The win lifts the Royals above Oldham in the table and back into ninth place. Reading took a deserved half time lead through Jamie Cureton as he scored his third goal in two games after a cross from Martin Butler on 19 minutes. Cureton, inside the box of the left, caught the Oldham keeper off his line to loop the ball into the top of the net. Oldham had most of the play in the second half as they looked to get something from the game, but a solid defensive performance from Viveash and Whitbread, and some great goalkeeping from Whitehead kept Reading in the lead. Reading hung on towards the end as Whitehead tipped over from a free-kick and the ball was hacked clear from the line.
Post
Match Opinions
|
A gritty and precious three points at the likes of Oldham on a cold
windy midweek night game, is normally the type of result that leads to
rewards at the end of the season. Somehow, I've a feeling that the result
tonight and that on Saturday, will only stave of the inevitable demise
and departure of Pardew and co. This may seem rather churlish after two
hard earned away victories, but on the evidence on display tonight we're
so far away from being a promotion winning side that it may be better
all round to accept the inevitability of the play offs at best now, rather
than allude to unrealistic expectations. I hope I'm wrong, but anybody
with a meagre knowledge of football can see that our current players simply
aren't good enough. We certainly have some good players, the strikers
included, but until the midfield get sorted out and the club invests in
a play maker, we will continue to struggle and rely on the hoof game. Another impressive away performance by Reading. Winning away on a
wet Tuesday in front of a small crowd is promotion form. If only we had
performed at home to Swindon & Bury we would have been right in the mix
up. However, beggars cant be choosers and this result sets us up for a
huge game against our high flying rivals Brentford on Saturday. This result
has dispelled persistent theories from fans (myself included), that the
players were no longer playing for the manager. However two wins dont
make a season and the jury is still out, but it is not to ridiculous to
say that with Jamie Cureton firing again we could yet be celebrating in
May. Please don't start dropping and substituting him again Pardew. An excellent win for Reading, the classic 0-1 smash and grab away
performance. After a bright start, the goal came and it was another to
add to the Cureton collection of golden goals. This one was a lofted,
curling shot that looped over Kelly in the Oldham goal and into the top
corner. Nice one Jamie! After that they defended well, despite pressure
from Oldham particularly when they got the ball wide. Viveash and Whitbread
were very solid. Well played lads. C'mon Reading! If you told me after the Swindon game we'd pick up 6 points from our
travels to County and Oldham I'd have laughed in your face. So credit
to Pards and Allen for pulling it off I have to say I'm still not totally
convinced and the real test will come Saturday against a team bang in
form. Have to say all of a sudden I cant wait for Saturday to come - biggest
gate of the season? |
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