News and Views
Away Form Continues With Ipswich Win
21 February 2015
By Hob Nob Anyone?
An early Jamie Mackie goal inspired Reading FC to grab an unexpected victory at Portman Road. The low strike in the 13th minute was enough to split the sides in a scrappy contest, bringing the Royals a fifth victory in the last eight away games.
Two changes were made following the disappointing Wigan game. McCleary and Norwood dropping to the bench, with Mackie and Hector returning to the line-up. Chalobah pushed back into his usual centre midfield position.
Ipswich started the game brightly with Daryl Murphy causing problems with his movement and direct running. In the 5th Murphy drove through the middle of the Royals defence but weakly pushed his shot straight to Adam Federici.
In the 12th minute Murphy pulled out wide and delivered a cross onto the head of an unmarked Freddie Sears. Sears was unable to get any momentum into his header, looping the ball high across the goal.
With Reading making no early attacking intent they grabbed the lead against the run of play in the 13th minute. Pogrebynak pushed a pass to Jamie Mackie on the right hand side. Mackie was allowed to drive to the edge of area with Mings backing away. Mackie had a sight on goal and took his opportunity by smashing a low shot across Bialkowski into the bottom corner.
Jamie Mackie celebrated the goal by sprinting the full length of the pitch, before doing a Michael Jackson turn and spin in front of the 433 travelling Royals fans.
With the goal it brought confidence back into the Reading team. Following the disastrous performance against Wigan on Tuesday night the Royals showed all the attributes that were missing. They played with tempo when in possession and aggression without the ball. Danny Williams was colossus in the middle, able to carry the ball forward as well as tough without.
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