Match Report - Home VS Grimsby Town

Division One

31st December 1994

READING 1 GRIMSBY 1

(Lambert)

Att: 8,526

READING TEAM: Shakka, Bernal (Taylor), Jones, Wdowczyk, Macca, Parkie, Gilkes, Gooding (Lambert), Quinn, Lovell, Osbourn.

I think it would probably be fair to say that this was other 'One of those days' Reading are so good at being the better team but failing to take their chances. Quinn once again having most of these chances but failing to score. I can't wait until he rediscovers last seasons form. One of Readings failings this year is the lack of goals scored. Not that I'm complaining since this is the best season in our whole history, but this was a match that we should of won if our shooting was just a bit better. Both Quinn and Gooding should have put us into the lead in just the first 10 minutes. Quinns weak header was easy for the keeper and Gooding shot wide. Quinn had another easy chance which just rolled into the arms of their goalie.

Grimsby took the lead in the first half with a couple of passes setting up their forward to slot home from close range. For most of the rest of the game it was Reading setting up good passing moves but not getting the goals. The equalizer came 4 minutes from the end when Lambert (who had only been on the pitch for about 5 minutes) scored from about 15 yards out with a nifty left foot drive. It was Lamberts first goal in the league for 2 years but to be fair he hasn't played many games. At least we salvaged the point.

On a very bad note is the injuries to Bernal and Osbourn. Bernal limped off with groin strain (poor bloke). But more serious is the condition of Simon Osbourn who needed to be stretchered off with knee damage. He could be out for many months.