Today could hardly have been much better for the Royals. Yet another away victory means February has been a simply amazing month for Reading - winning four and drawing one of our five league matches. Three of those victories have come away from home as Reading enter the last third of the season being the most in form side in the entire Division. The away victory was stunning enough, but with Walsall going down 2-3 at home to a last minute goal from Wrexham, and Wigan losing away at Northampton, Reading emerge as one of the strongest contenders for automatic promotion. Millwall look set to walk away with the championship with another away victory today, but second place gets closer and closer with only Rotherham, who won again today, looking more likely than the Royals at the moment. Next Saturday sees Rotherham visit the Madejski Stadium for what is now one of the most crucial games of the season. Defeat would set Reading back a long way - but victory would put Reading one big step closer to Division One football.

Reading need to take each game one at a time and that's exactly what they did today with a narrow but deserved victory over a Swansea City site seemingly doomed to follow Oxford United into Division Three. Viveash was recalled into the centre of defence to play alongside Whitbread, and Robinson was back in the starting eleven in place of the suspended Ricky Newman - it was a defensive line-up that was rarely troubled by a weak Swansea attack. Keith Jones made another start in midfield for Reading and put in a convincing performance to put in a claim for a permanent recall to the side. Up front Cureton, Butler and McIntyre made sure it was Reading that looked most likely to get the goals against a poor Swansea defence.

The Royals could have taken the lead within the opening ten minutes when a deep Cureton cross found Caskey past the far post whose attempt on goal was cleared on the line. Moments later down the other end Swansea had a penalty claim turned down after Viveash and Whitehead got in a bit of a muddle after a pass back. However Reading were by far the strongest side during the opening 45 minutes with Swansea rarely threatening and Reading creating some useful chances. Caskey almost gave Reading the lead with a long range shot that was tipped over the cross bar, and Cureton almost lobbed one in after catching the keeper off his line - however his shot flew harmlessly over the Swansea crossbar.

Jamie Cureton gave Reading the lead at probably the best time possible - just three minutes before the half time break. A Cureton shot was saved which allowed Jimmy McIntyre to collect the ball wide. McIntyre crossed right across the face of goal and Cureton and Jones slid in looking to make contact resulting in Jamie Cureton sliding the ball into the back of the net. 1-0 to the Royals and Jamie Cureton's 20th goal of the season. Reading's 1-0 half time lead was to be enough with Swansea getting into the game during the second half but not enough to create any major problems for the Royals. Swansea's best effort came from a powerful shot that hit the crossbar - but failed to find the net. Reading effortlessly held out for the full three points.
Graham

Following match report from Neil Cole:

Reading continued their excellent run of results with a third consecutive away win, and a fifth win in six as Swansea were beaten by a single goal at Vetch Field. The performance was nothing special, but was enough to win the Royals another three points and close the gap on the top two. Reading were one of only three sides in the top eight to pick up any points, and now sit just three points off second place with games in hand. While Millwall look comfortable at the top of the table, the second automatic promotion spot is now within reach of the Royals, and on current form Reading must be favourites to take it.

The suspension of Ricky Newman meant left-back Matt Robinson was able to make his first start since he was injured in early January. Adi Viveash was fit enough to return to the side, with Hunter again being dropped. Other than that, Alan Pardew fielded the same side that had beaten Oldham 2-0 at Boundary Park on Tuesday. Keith Jones was given another start in midfield, and he rewarded Pardew’s faith in him with his best performance for Reading. Jones looked a different player today, showing excellent commitment and even managing to win more challenges in the middle than Parky.

Martin Butler and Jamie Cureton again looked very dangerous up front in the first half, and their partnership seems to be improving with every game. Today’s game was very similar to the win at Oldham in mid-week, in that Reading dominated the first half and could have gone in more than one goal up. Cureton had the best chances, and fired over early on following a good move involving Jones and Butler. He came even closer shortly afterwards, as the linesman allowed play to continue despite Cureton looking very offside. He tried a delicate lob over the keeper which came close to being a wonderful goal, but again went narrowly over the bar.

Cureton eventually found the net three minutes before half-time, following another good move. Jones picked out Cureton, whose shot rebounded to McIntyre on the left. Cureton continued his run into the box, and found the perfect position to knock in McIntyre’s cross from close range. Cureton did another Bristol Rovers style celebration, but this time he was in front of the travelling Reading fans who joined in celebrating his 21st goal of the season.

The lead was all Reading deserved at half-time, against a poor looking Swansea side whose fans were calling for the manager’s head throughout the match. As had happened at Oldham, Reading went on the defensive in the second half. With Cureton tiring, he was replaced with Lee Hodges, as Pardew opted to play five across the middle. As a result, the second half saw very few chances from either team, as the Reading midfield close the game down.

Swansea had the majority of the possession in the second period, but struggled to find a way through. Reading have conceded just two goals in this seven match unbeaten run, which is a great reflection on the way the defence have improved. With the introduction of Adrian Whitbread at the back, the whole team seems more confident and are more effective at closing down the opposition. The only real scare saw a shot from Lacey crash against the Reading crossbar, with Whitehead beaten. Reading could have then increased their lead, as Keith Jones was teed up perfectly for a volley from the edge of the area, which flew just over the bar.

Other than that, the second half was non-eventful, and the final whistle wrapped up another tight game and another Reading victory. Next Saturday sees the start of a series of difficult home matches against our promotion rivals. The game against Rotherham at the Madejski should be a good indication of how good we are in relation to the other teams in the top eight, and if the Royals can pull off another win we could be second.

Copyright Hob Nob Anyone? © 1994-2001
The Original Reading Football Club Internet Site