Match Report vs Birmingham City
READING 0 Birmingham City 0
Reading kicked off with an unchanged team from the one that pulled off an excellent home win against QPR last Saturday - including the same three on the bench. Following Andy Bernal going flying in a shooting oportunity against QPR and then being stretchered off the pitch it was a relief to see him start the game with no apparent injury. Despite Caskey being shite on Saturday Jim and Mick chose to give him another first team start, and another chance to prove he's worth the money we paid.
The first half as a whole also showed amazing similarity to the QPR game.
Boring.
Just one good pass from Caskey and that was it from him. The defence was solid enough with McPherson having little to do and Hunter getting in the tackles. Bodin and Bernal both kept trying to come forward. Bernal made a nice little run but it came to nothing. It wasn't until the last 15 minutes of the first half that Reading started to create a few chances, and could consider themselves unlucky not to go in one up. Birmingham City meanwhile had a total of zero shots on goal with Tommy Wright, still on loan, having a very relaxing half.
Nogan hit a great shot tipped wide. Caskey knocked the ball to Meaker and Meaks hit the ball to Nogan who header was pushed past the past. And then just before half time a Gilkes cross saw Nogan with a clear shot - this time a defender got in the way.
0-0 at half time.
It took twenty minutes of the second half before Reading could come up with a another half-decent chance. Gilkes played in a great cross to Lee Nogan. Nogs' header in the middle needed a good save by sutton in the City goal.
Then on 25 minutes - a shit substitution. Lambert came on. Nice one. Caskey stayed on. Gilkes went off.
Er, why?
With 15 mins left a double substitution. Somehow Caskey stayed on the pitch and Parkie and Sir Jim came on for Mickey Gooding and 'oooo Trevor Morley'.
WIth 10 minutes to go a great cross from Lambert saw Jimmy misplaced on the far post. Then Reading put in a half hearted final attempt to snatch the game and the three points. But failed miserably. We forced a couple of late corners and Quinn forced an injury time save from Sutton, and then the final whistle went.
0-0 at full time.
Against QPR we came to life for the last 30 minutes to pull off a deserved win, however tonight it just didn't happen. A disappointing game and result. Lets hope we improve for Saturday. I don't want to have spent a tenner for nothing - anything other than a Royals win just wont do!
Graham