Hob Nob Match Report

30 September 1998
Walsall 0 Reading 2

League
3,700


Howie, Crawford, McPherson, Parkinson, Primus, Casper, Brayson, Caskey, Williams, Glasgow, Brebner.
Tommy Burns!

Match Audio
GOAL 1: WILLIAMS   GOAL 2: BREBNER
All samples are Real Audio format - you'll need Real Player.

YES! YES! YES!

How could we have doubted! ;-)

A sixth minute goal from Martin Williams, followed by a header half way through the second half by Grant Brebner, earnt Reading all three points AWAY at Walsall tonight - to end the run of 15 straight away league defeats. At last. A scoreline I never thought I'd see. Reading's first win for 8 games too.

Bits and pieces of reports follow:

From Football365:
Walsall blew their chance to go second in Division Two when they were beaten by struggling Reading at Bescot Stadium. It was a terrific boost for the Royals who had lost their previous 15 away games.

Once the lively Martin Williams had taken advantage of slackness in the home defence to fire the visitors in front after just eight minutes, a shock always looked likely. Walsall had won their previous three games but could not find a way through a determined defence in which Linvoy Primus and Chris Casper were outstanding. They should have been level in the 52nd minute but, with only the keeper to beat, Darren Wrack smashed his shot against a post.

Reading made sure of the points in the 66th minute with a cleverly taken short corner, Jimmy Crawford crossing perfectly for Grant Brebner to head powerfully into the roof of the net.

From Yahoo:
The small band of Royals' fans who were at the Bescot Stadium tonight were all going home celebrating, not to mention pinching themselves after seeing their team record a rare away win after 15 away league defeats on the trot.

An injury hit Reading side were up against a Walsall side who could have gone second with a win tonight, but goals from Martin Williams and Grant Brebner gave the Royals an excellent 2-0 victory, and a possible turning point in their so far miserable season.

Reading took the lead after only 8 minutes, when Darren Caskey found Martin Williams with a long ball, and the midfielder finished coolly to tuck the ball beyond Jimmy Walker for his fifth of the season.

Walsall's Paul Simpson twice went close from distance, while Andy Rammell also came close, as did Jason Brissett who clipped the bar.

Into the second half, Darren Wrack hit the outside of a post, while Reading substitute McIntyre hit the side netting.

Then the second goal came along for Tommy Burns' side on 66 minutes, when Grant Brebner glanced home Crawford's cross past Walker.

Viveash headed just over, Howie saved well from Rammell, and Keates shot just wide for the home side, while Reading could have added to their two goal lead when Walker saved from Williams and McIntyre, and Caskey fired over the bar.

Williams was booked, but even that couldn't detract from a really excellent night for the Royals, and the ridding of that appalling run of away league defeats in front of a crowd of 3,729, with the minority of them no doubt celebrating well into the night.


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