24 October 2003: LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SHEFFIELD UNITED 1 READING 2
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goals
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Reading: Williams
(7 mins), Forster (43 mins). Sheffield United: Ward (10 mins). |
Half Time: 1-2 Attendance: 20,651
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teams
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Reading: Hahnemann, Newman,
Ingimarsson, Williams, Shorey, Murray, Sidwell, Harper, Salako, Hughes,
Forster. Subs: Watson, Goater, Savage, Ashdown, Tyson. Sheffield United: Gerrard, Kozluk, Jagielka, Morgan, Whitlow, Ndlovu, Brown, McCall, Tonge, Ward, Lester. Subs: Armstrong, Montgomery, Peschisolido, Allison, Rankine. |
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bookings
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Reading: - Sheffield United: Morgan. Referee: S Tomlin (E Sussex) |
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report
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Steve Coppell claimed his first away victory - at the first attempt - as the Royals frustrated Sheffield United with an excellent defensive performance to win 2-1 last night. After a poor performance against Walsall earlier in the week Reading bounced back with an all round impressive team showing to make it 3 wins from 4 for Coppell. The home side had a chance to go top of the table but instead Reading moved up to eighth - just three points behind United. The game got off to a frantic start with Reading taking the lead after seven minutes when Shorey's corner from the left was headed firmly home by Adrian Williams. United pulled level just three minutes later when Harper failed to block a cross and it was slid home at the far post. Sheffield United enjoyed most of the possession for the rest of the game but struggled to find a way through. The Royals grabbed a half time lead, against the run of play, with a quick break - Hahnemann played the ball out to Shorey who passed to Forster. Forster ran at the defence before firing in a superb shot from well outside the area that flew into the top corner of the net to make it 2-1 to the Royals. Reading's defence held firm throughout the second half to earn Reading the win with Ingimarsson making an excellent debut in the centre of defence alongside man of the match Adrian Williams. |
FANS' POST MATCH OPINION
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As
we were lurching from one traffic jam to another on the M1, I was beginning
to regret my decision to go to the game. Why didn't I stay at home, and
watch Sky? At 9.35 last night, I realised why. An away win at one of the
best teams in the division was worth all the hassle of getting there.
Two great goals, one from a corner! It's probably true that Hughsey blocked
Adie's marker for the first, but it didn't take anything away from the
header. A good equaliser from Sheffield, but we did not fall away as we
had done prior to Coppell's arrival. One of the strikes of the season
from Fozzie, and 2-1 up at halftime. The second half saw one of the best
defensive displays I have witnessed from Reading in recent years. Sheffield
passed the ball sweetly, and tried everything to break us down. They didn't
really get through though, and the Royals defence held firm. At the final
whistle, Warnock was jumping up and down like an an demented Mr Punch.
Coppell on the other hand, was cool, calm, and totally controlled. A very
warm feeling on a chilly night, and a Saturday with the job already done
was the probable reason for his calmness. A thoroughly enjoyable trip,
and the first signs that we have got the season back on track. I think
this was the first game for some time where we were in control of what
we set out to do. Sky will never take the place of a live away win, and
even the memory of traffic jams can be erased when the final whistle brings
three hard fought points. URRZZZ! I
don't know what was more entertaining, the 90 minutes on the field or
Neil Warnock's post-match interview. "Snow White" berated the referee
for failing to penalise Hughes’ blocking tactics for the first goal (what??),
some supposed time wasting antics (what???) and the fact that the officials
in someway contrived to deny the Blades a deserved victory (what ????),
this despite the fact that the linesman had to replace his flag in the
second half due to overuse in the first for some extra dubious offside
decisions, almost all against Forster. The Yorkshire gob is always good
value and indeed I admire his tenacity, spirit, flair and total bias for
his team, in that unless you bleed Red and White and say 'ay up, you MUST
be wrong or trying to wrong HIS club. Contrast that with Steve Coppell's
measured, John Majorisk, deliberate comments made immediately after this
stunning win. Feet on the ground, little emotion, well the lads had done
the talking on the pitch for him, nuff said, Fossie, what a corker (best
yet??), and a defensive display that was really Men against Boys, even
'arry Bassett (unbiased match summariser) was getting a touch of the "Warnocks"
at the end, such was the effect of this Royals display. In someways I
suppose, I secretly carve a manager like Warnock and Coppell rolled into
one and SC would not have been my first choice for the traitors empty
seat but thank god has proved me wrong almost immediately. If you can
learn from your mistakes and raise your team to produce an away performance
like that just 3 days after a home debacle that was Walsall then maybe
less really is more (especially mouthwise) so let’s forget all the sh*te
that has gone on for now the season has really started. Are you nervous
yet in the EastEnd……? Urzzzzzz What
can you say , this damn team never ceases to amaze , produce surprises
and also install such emotional feelings . It may have been the Alomo
for most of the game but what a tremendous defensive performance , I thought
Eskimo Ingimarrwotsisname had a good debut and along side him a true epic
colossus of a game from Ade Williams , awesome . Must mention Fossies
goal , maybe just one of those a season but what a time to score it and
what a goal . That's supporting Reading for you , lose at home to Walsall
the win away at arguably one of the toughest away games all season . Credit
to Coppell for dropping Goater who really wasn't missed . Hopefully he'll
bounce back but I have my doubts . I've a feeling the Iceman may well
be the start of Copp's changes , look out for new players arriving . Great
win , great night , why am I still shaking my head ?.............URZ !!
Bloody
brilliant. My Option Two (see Walsall report) now looking better. Dropping
Goater improved things - we had a man over in midfield and for the first
time I can remember we HASSLED the opposition. Still worried about USA
who looked bloody anxious and didn't always come for balls or pick up
when he should. Williams magnificent. Ingwotsit looks good at holding
their forwards down (using their own shirts). Still think Harper is a
worry and would prefer Watson. Our midfield sometimes needs to stop and
think. Too many times in second half we just punted upfield when we could
have passed it around a bit. Never mind. Bloody brilliant. Bring on Huddersfield.
If we play like that I promise to join in the chants. As
I got to the ground, I was very worried we were gonna get hammered. Yet
as the match started,I was in shock. A Reading performence that I could
be proud of. Then it was our day,we scored from a corner. Oh Adie what
a header,and well done to Hughesy,you deserve praise for your "help".
Shame Neil Warnock didn't see it that way,oh well hahahaha But Reading's
record of no clean sheets since August carried on as we conceaded yet
another stupid goal.But I'm certain with Ivar about he will get more match
practice and his class will show even more. But then we seen some good
goals like the counter attack at Millwall last season compared to Hughesy's
beauty against QPR but this was the best individual goal.Forster passed
1...2...3... Ball in the air>Back of the net! Awesome. Time to do some
dancing to Tom Hark. Half time approached and I was satisfied. Then as
the 2nd half came, I had that worrying feeling of here we go again, more
crap defending and we would lose. How wrong was I!! We were sound with
Adie and Ivar our rocks, Ricky Newman and Nick Shorey keeping Tonge and
Ndlovu from making the impact they are capable of and we saw James Harper
defend and tackle. Brillant. Sidwell was after that ball as if it was
a Dog after a stick and Hughesy was constantly using his pace.Salako and
Murray protected the full backs and Forster was awesome up front. Overall,a
brillant team performence and roll on Huddesfield Saw
this on Sky. After the recent 'performances', I wouldn't have given us
an earthly with this one, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The midfield
was much improved, with Harper a much better showing (he actually got
forward & had some decent SHOTS on goal), Forster was also a whole lot
better than before (this had a lot to do with him playing on his own I'm
sure as he's incapable of sharing the striking role with anyone other
than himself - wonderful goal though, can't take that away from him),
and the effort & commitment as a team was there for all to see. The only
criticism I would level was that we defended a bit too deep in the 2nd
half at times & invited pressure. However, RFC came to one of the top
teams in the league on the back of some woeful games, turned in a very
solid & committed team performance, & came away with 3 points. I hope
this is a sign of things to come. COME ON.... |
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