Reading rounded off the bank holiday weekend with a comfortable win over Burnley at the Madejski Stadium, to make it four points from six games and maintain second place in the table. Despite the close scoreline, and a Burnley fight back before half time, Reading were much the better side throughout the fixture.

Reading took the lead with the first real chance of the game after seven minutes, when Kitson played the ball through to Lita in the area. Lita somehow managed to twist his body to get his foot to the ball and flick it into the back of the net to put Reading a goal up. Convey forced a save from the Burnley keeper with a free-kick but there were few chances for either side. Kitson was forced to limp off with six minutes of the first period remaining to be replaced by the lively Doyle. Burnley were resorting mostly to hoof ball and it was from a long ball that their goal came as they made it 1-1 finished the stronger side in the first half.

The second half saw Reading much improved as Burnley attempted to hold on for a point. Doyle came close with a header from a cross from the left, which he probably should have scored. Burnley nearly scored from a free-kick that was tipped over by Hahnemann but Reading were enjoying most of the game. The breakthrough came with twenty minutes left to play when a short corner saw the impressive Bobby Convey cross from the right for Doyle to rise to head home. It was a deserved goal for Doyle and the Royals who were certain to pick up the three points well before the visitors were reduced to ten men late on.

Following report by John Wells:
Reading continued their recent good run of results with a hard fought victory over Burnley. League positions mean little at this stage of the season, but performances are significant. In the past nine days the Royals have chalked up three wins and a draw. Today's win was significant for lots of reasons. Burnley are a tough side to break down at the best of times, but when you lose two key players through injury by half time, as well as losing the lead to an equaliser, and then go to win, you have every right to get excited about your prospects this season.

The opening minutes of the game were littered with misplaced passes in midfield, and awful distribution from Hahnemann. After eight minutes Kitson clipped the ball into the area for Lita to flick over Coyne into the net. It was a fine piece of finishing. A few goals like that last season would have seen Reading into the play-offs.

From that point the game gradually drifted into a fairly quiet affair as both sides battled it out in midfield in sweltering conditions. Midway through the half Shorey and Sidwell picked up injuries which were treated simultaneously by virtue of the Burnley physio sportingly treating Shorey, for which he received generous applause from both sets of fans. Apparently both injuries are quite serious and Shorey had to be replaced by Makin at half time, although thankfully Sidwell struggled on for the full ninety minutes. Thomas, who was due to be suspended, but for some reason was allowed to play, was lucky not to be booked having clattered Lita from behind and elbowed Kitson in the back of the head - both bookable offences which went unpunished. I suppose some justice was done when he was carried off in the second half with what appeared to be a self inflicted injury.

Five minutes before half time Reading lost Kitson through injury, and the lead with a strike from Akinbiyi. Noel-Williams and Akinbiyi gave Sonko and Ingimarsson a torrid afternoon and it was that combination which produced a well taken goal. Burnley were growing in confidence.

Reading faced a tough task in the second half but rose to the occasion. It was not the most fluid performance, but everyone did their bit. It was business as usual for the solid Harper and Sidwell, but Little and Convey were also working hard defensively, and making a real impact in attack. Convey's all round game has improved beyond recognition this season. The key factor in the win however was the performance of Doyle. He was a constant thorn in the side of the Burnley defence, and just like Lita was very hard to knock off the ball. Both strikers also showed amazing ability in the air, outjumping taller central defenders on several occasions. Early in the half Doyle missed an absolute sitter when he barely made contact with an inviting Convey cross from close range. He made amends for the appalling miss in the seventieth minute when a short corner resulted in another good ball in from Convey. This time he made no mistake meeting the ball at the near post and gave Coyne no chance.

Hahnemann had one save to make but Reading held on for a deserved three points. Harper might have added a third but he delayed his shot when put through by Doyle and was denied by a strong and barely legal challenge from behind. The only other notable event was petulant assault on Convey by a frustrated O'Connor which earned him a red card. The Royals can now put their feet up for a couple of weeks and enjoy a well earned rest tucked in behind Sheffield United in second place.
John