Joy Short Lived As Royals Defeated
Added by HNA? on 15/03/05
Reading's joy at ending their shocking run of form on Saturday was short lived tonight, as the Royals tumbled to a 0-1 defeat at bottom of the table Rotherham United. The meeting saw the two most out of form sides in the Division struggle to produce much in the way of football, until managerless Rotherham eventually stuck home the winner in injury time at the end of the game. Rotherham, still a massive sixteen points away from safety, picked up only their second home win of the season with a goal from close range after a late free-kick was headed on. Reading didn't compare to their performance on Saturday, which ended in a 3-1 victory over Pardew's West Ham. This game was equally important but Reading slumped to another away defeat meaning we've managed just the single win since Boxing Day. The Royals had the better of a handful of chances throughout the game but again there were problems up front. If Kitson doesn't score then Reading seem destined to remain goalless. Again, centre back Ingimarsson provided one of Reading's best efforts on goal when his header forced a good save. Sidwell saw his free-kick pushed onto the Rotherham crossbar but chances were few and far between. With West Ham only managing a draw tonight, Reading hang on to their play-off position for now. However, this was a huge set back to finishing the season in the top six.
Rotherham United 1 Reading 0
Rumour Rating: Definite

Royals Win At Last - Hammers Stuffed
Added by HNA? on 12/03/05
Reading at last returned to winning ways this afternoon with a hugely satisfying 3-1 victory over Alan Pardew's West Ham United at the Madejski Stadium. It had been eleven league games without a league victory and we went into this one knowing it was a crunch game that we had to win to keep the play-off campaign alive. In the end we not only won the game, maintaining that vital sixth position and moving three points clear of West Ham, but we put in our best performance of 2005. After the recent run of poor results this was a return to the kind of football we know Reading can play. We were much more organised throughout, while West Ham were shambolic. Dave Kitson was in blinding form scoring a deserved hat-trick of well taken goals and getting involved on every part of the pitch. However it was a team performance of which Reading can feel rightly proud. The game got underway with a 0-0 feel about it but Reading quickly started to get on top fired on by an impressive home support. The visitors were subdued from the start, with their side's poor recent form, but were forced into silence when Kitson headed Reading ahead after just twelve minutes. Dean Morgan, persistant all afternoon, forced a foul on the edge of the box and Shorey provided the cross, from the left, that saw Kitson rise spectacularly above the West Ham defence. Fifteen minutes later and Kitson doubled Reading's lead with a far post header when Shorey again supplied - this time with a corner from the right that was flicked on by Andy Hughes. Reading suddenly looked unstoppable and could have gone in more goals ahead after winning a string of corners and keeping West Ham pinned in their own half. West Ham were restricted to just one deflected effort on target during the opening half while Reading had further chances to stretch their lead. Dean Morgan was unlucky after breaking free and nearly lobbing the keeper and Sidwell found a good chance. Ricky Newman, after an early booking, was playing a superb game in midfield to earn and retain possession for the Royals - his booking certainly didn't stop him tackling. The second half saw West Ham's game pick-up, but they seldom troubled Reading despite managed to create a few attacking moves. The Royals remained on top and Kitson completed his hat-trick with half an hour left to play. Sidwell saw his shot blocked and Kitson took a couple of shots before turning with an excellent volley to drive home from the centre of the area. The away end emptied and Reading had the game won with half an hour still to play. We started stroking the ball around confidently, while Pardew was short of ideas and flung on Sheringham to replace the ineffective Zamora. Sheringham bagged a goal in the last ten mintues for West Ham but it was only ever going to be a consolation. This was a convincing victory for Reading - perhaps even more so than the score suggests. If we can build on this performance then the season is far from over.

Still No Win!
Added by HNA? on 05/03/05
Another game, another uneventful 0-0 draw as Reading shared the points at QPR this afternoon. Despite Reading extending their run of games without a win to a massive eleven fixtures, the Royals somehow find themselves back in the play-off positions tonight as they moved up a place to sixth. The Royals had next weeks visitors to the Madejski Stadium, West Ham United, to thank as the Hammers went down 1-2 at home to Preston. With West Ham and Reading on equal league points, next week it's going to be another crunch encounter with both teams desperate for the win to have a chance of grabbing that final play-off spot at the end of the season. It's hard to believe we still have a chance of going up with our lack of both goals and points this season, but if we can end our barren run next weekend then the season is not yet over.
It was the same old story today as Reading's defence held very firm but we lacked any bite at all up front. We went nearly the entire game without a shot on target. Dave Kitson found the net in the second half only to see his attempt ruled out for off-side, for the second week in a row. One of Reading's best other chances was in the opening few minutes when Brooker was clean through only to hit his shot straight at the QPR goalkeeper. Down the other end QPR managed to hit the crossbar with a deflection, but in reality neither keeper had much to do in an unexciting game. Les Ferdinand only managed half an hour as he limped off with yet another injury. Dean Morgan was Ferdinands replacement but there was very little to suggest Reading can end the recent appalling run - we've hit just four goals in eleven league games. West Ham's season continues to wobble but Pardew must surely come to the Madejski Stadium next week expecting to pick up the three points.

Bore Draw
Added by HNA? on 27/02/05
It became double figures this weekend - as Reading made it 10 games without a league win with a dull 0-0 home draw against Leicester City. The first half saw poor performances by two poor Championship teams and there was very little of interest on the pitch as both sides were happy to hoof the ball continually down pitch. Neither side managed to string more than a couple of passes together and half time couldn't come soon enough with forty-five minutes passing without a single shot on target. The main events of the game were Sonko becoming the first player to ever boot the ball over the Madejski Stadium roof (although it bounced back) and Leicester's Connolly talking himself into the book. There was very little entertainment on offer from either side but at least it was Reading that ended the game the strongest. With the game slipping away into a bore-draw, Little replaced the ineffective Brooker and supplied a couple of dangerous crosses that gave a glimmer of hope of Reading snatching the win. Kitson had a goal ruled out for offside after a half decent Reading move, and minutes later he was denied by the Leicester keeper after breaking through. However chances remained few and far between and everyone was just glad they could go home and warm up at the final whistle. Reading remain in seventh position in the Championship table.

Kitson Rescues Point
Added by HNA? on 22/02/05
Dave Kitson, playing just his second game after returning from injury, grabbed a vital goal with twenty minutes left to play to grab a point for Reading at Crewe this evening. Although the 1-1 draw means Reading have now gone nine league games without a win, it could have been worse. Crewe looked set to end their own poor run after taking the lead after twelve minutes when Ingimarsson failed to clear a cross and the ball was stuck home from inside the Reading area. There seemed no way back for Reading when the second half got underway with another poor showing from both sides. With Forster missing, through a reported injury that's rumoured to be something else, Owusu partnered Kitson but there were few chances created with another poor Reading midfield showing. The unimpressive Harper was eventually replaced just after the hour by Glen Little who looked a much better prospect. With twenty minutes to go Murty hoofed the ball up field and the Crewe keeper came charging out to gift Kitson with the equaliser. Reading looked more likely to take the win with a good period as the game drew to a close - but we haven't scored more than a single goal in a game since Boxing Day and it wasn't to be. Kitson could have broken that run when he went close from a Little cross and Brooker put one over in injury time but the draw was the fair result.

Kitson Extends Contract
Added by HNA? on 22/02/05
Dave Kitson has had his contract with the Royals extended - in a strange move at odds with the club policy to only discuss contracts at the end of the season. Kitson, Reading's only real supplier of goals this season, will now be contracted to Reading for a further three and a half years until the end of the 2007/2008 season. The goals have dried up for Reading with Kitson out injured and a lot rests with the player who made his return from injury on Saturday, as Coventry picked up three points at the Madejski Stadium. After signing from Cambridge United for a bargain price of £150,000 in December 2003 Kitson has established himself as one of the key players and has already hit 17 league goals in 34 starts. Good news all round then - lets hope it's a spark that will revive Reading's seriously flagging season.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Royals Drop Out Of Play-Offs
Added by HNA? on 19/02/05
Reading's season continued to falter this afternoon with yet another defeat, this time at home against Championship strugglers Coventry City. League form continues to move from bad to worse for the Royals as the hard work earlier in the season is being thrown away. This latest result means Reading have picked up just four points from eight league fixtures - the kind of form that would see us fighting relegation if we hadn't had such an impressive run of results in the first half of the campaign. West Ham's big 5-0 home victory was enough to move them above Reading, pushing the Royals out of the play-off positions for the first time since last August. We're going to have our work cut-out for the rest of the season to win back a play-off place. Surely the most likely outcome is now a mid-table finish. However, it had all started brightly for the Royals this afternoon as they took an early lead against Coventry, with our third league goal in the current run of eight winless fixtures. Reading fans were treated to a rare goal celebration when Shorey provided the ball to Ferdinand who headed home from the left to score his first goal in a Reading shirt. After going ahead the signs were good with Reading starting to pass the ball around well. We looked set to increase the lead with a couple of good moves seeing Little narrowly miss connecting for a certain goal. A long series of short passes saw Kitson, returning from injury and completing a whole ninety minutes, get in a straight forward shot that was easily saved. Again we failed to press our advantage and went in just the single goal up at half time. The second half belonged to the visitors as Reading looked short of ideas and seriously lacking in midfield. Both Harper and Sidwell had very poor performances but Sidwell should be very disappointed with his showing after continually gifting the ball to the opposition. It turned out to be a very happy return for ex-Reading central defender Adie Williams as Reading rarely threatened in the second half. Instead Reading's weaknesses were exposed when Coventry pulled level just after the hour when they cut in from the left and McSheffrey danced round three or four players before blasting the ball in the opposite side of the net to make it 1-1. Coventry sealed the win within ten minutes of the equaliser when the Reading defence was static and an unmarked player was allowed to volley home from deep inside the Reading area. Morgan came off the bench and added something to Reading who had become very jaded but it wasn't enough to have an serious impact. Andy Hughes forced a late save from the keeper and Kitson should have done better from close range but failed to get in a shot. In the end Coventry held on with ease and were good for their win. City, going through a bad patch of form themselves, looked a poor side but were still that much better than the Royals.

Hahnemann Returns
Added by HNA? on 10/02/05
Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann is on his way back to England after appearing on the bench for the USA during last night's international fixture against Trinidad and Tobago. The Americans ran out 2-1 winners. Hahnemann didn't make an appearance this time but will be looking to build on his previous four international caps after an excellent season in goal for the Royals. Marcus will be back in time, and ready to play, on Saturday as Reading travel to Leeds United looking for their first win in seven league fixtures. Meanwhile, Bobby Convey wasn't included in the USA squad after falling out of international favour - perhaps due to his limited appearances for Reading this season.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Going Up? Staying Down?
Added by HNA? on 08/02/05
Every Thursday the Reading Evening Post lets fans get their opinion on the Royals in print. Let everyone know how you feel about what's going on both on and off the pitch with the Royals by sending in your submissions through the Hob Nob Anyone? website. To have your say just follow the link below, complete the on-line form and we'll consider your views for inclusion in both the Evening Post and the Hob Nob Anyone? website. At the weekend Reading stumbled to another draw - making it six league games without a win and making it just a single goal from those six fixtures. Will Reading hold their play-off spot, and if so what chance have we got in the play-offs? Or will it all go wrong as Reading slip to a mid-table finish? What do Reading need to do to get the season back on track? Will Ferdinand come good and come up with the goals or do we have to wait until Kitson returns?

Royals Fail To Score - Again
Added by HNA? on 06/02/05
Reading's problems in front of goal continued this weekend as Plymouth won a point in a goalless draw at the Madejski Stadium. The draw, which was enough for Reading to hang on to fourth place in the table, made it six league games without a win. That six game spell has seen Reading hit the net just once - Ingimarsson's goal against Ipswich. Our defense continues to look solid but we simply can't seem to score and it was the same story again as Plymouth dealt with Reading's attack with ease. It was a game with few chances from either side. Ferdinand and Forster both struggled up front for Reading with a lack of supply and they managed just a few efforts on target between them during the entire game.

Brighton Game Moved
Added by HNA? on 01/02/05
Reading's Championship fixture at Brighton has been re-scheduled to be shown live on Sky TV. The game will now kick-off on Monday 21st March at 7:45pm, instead of the Saturday before as originally planned.

Leicester Go Through
Added by HNA? on 30/01/05
Reading's poor recent showings in the FA Cup continued this weekend as we made an exit in the fourth round at home to Leicester City. Leicester eventually won through with a late goal in stoppage time at the end of the game. However, the visitors deserved their win and were the better side for most of the fixture with Reading struggling - particularly in the second half. Despite the end result and Leicester's superiority, it was Reading that looked the more likely team for the first twenty minutes. Had Ferdinand put home the simplest of chances with Reading already a goal up then we might have had a very different result. Ferdinand was gifted an easy chance to tap home into an empty net as the ball came across the face of the goal from the right but somehow managed to put the ball wide. Earlier on, after just ten minutes, Nicky Forster had put Reading ahead after the best passing move of the game from either side. A number of Reading players were involved as we worked the ball forward at speed with Murty eventually steaming through down the right and supplying the ball to Forster who took it in his stride and drove it home from the right side of the area. It was an excellent goal, which Reading followed up with some further good football that should have seen us go two goals up from Ferdinand chance. The game continued on a very lively basis but Leicester gradually took the upper hand after they pulled level with over ten minutes of the half remaining. The game was very evenly balanced at half time both in the score and the control of the game, but the second half saw Leicester look better and better as Reading faded away. Reading's hopes of winning the game ended when Ricky Newman picked up his second yellow card of the game, for a second crunching tackle, to leave Reading with ten men for the last fifteen minutes. Initially Reading dug deep and launched a couple of meaningful attacks, winning a couple of corners and seeing Forster getting in a shot needing a good save. Down the other end Hahnemann was having another fine game producing a couple of solid saves to keep Reading in it. With normal time out, Reading looked to have earnt another replay until the ball was crossed from the Leicester left and headed firmly past Marcus to put City in Round Five.

Keown Signs Until End Of Season
Added by HNA? on 28/01/05
Central defender Martin Keown has completed his move to Reading on a free transfer. His contract with the Royals will, like Les Ferdinand, run until the end of the season. Both players are likely to retire from playing football in the summer after wrapping up their playing careers with Reading. Keown has enjoyed most of his football at Arsenal after joining the Gunners for £2 million in 1993 from Everton. After 283 league starts for the side Keown moved to Leicester on a free transfer last summer where he started off as a first team regular. Since October 2004 Keown has made just six first team appearances for Leicester who became keen to off-load the player. Keown played in Leicester's home 2-2 third round FA Cup game against Blackpool earlier this month and will therefore not be available for selection tomorrow. In that fixture Keown was replaced mid-way through the second half as Leicester struggled to a draw before winning the replay to face Reading in round four. Keown, who we assume will be back-up for the existing defensive line-up, will feature in the squad for the visit of Plymouth in a weeks time.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Dramatic End As Royals Earn Point
Added by HNA? on 22/01/05
Reading grabbed a late, but deserved, point against table-toppers Ipswich Town this afternoon as both sides scored in second half stoppage time. With the score at 0-0 with ninety minutes on the clock the visitors looked to have secured a late win with a strike in the first of the three minutes of injury time. Reading had worked hard and looked set to take nothing from a posititve showing until Ingimarsson came to the rescue immediately after Town had gone ahead. Ingimarsson's goal sent a near-full house home crowd crazy as he volleyed home from a tight angle from a Glen Little cross. Ipswich may feel they shaded the game slightly with perhaps the better chances across the game but a draw was a fair result after both sides could have been ahead well before the two late goals. The visitors got off to the better start putting Reading under early pressure and hit the crossbar with Hahnemann beaten with a long range effort. Reading soon got into their stride and were playing some good passing football in a lively encounter. Ricky Newman came into midfield in place of the suspended Steve Sidwell and slotted in like he'd been there all season with a sensible passing game. Reading hit the post themselves during the opening period after a free-kick drifted wide after several players failed to make contact. The Royals had a good spell before half time and could have gone in ahead but a series of crosses narrowly failed to get the right contact on them in front of goal. The second half saw another strong Ipswich showing with Hahnemann doing well with a fine reaction save to push a powerful goal bound attempt clear. Marcus followed that up with a excellent save to get down to his right at full stretch to keep the game goalless. Just when it looked like Ipswich were going to finish Reading off we won a series of corners and threatened to grab the three points ourselves. After two corners caused plenty of problems in the Town area the ball was eventually hacked clear from a short Reading effort. Glen Little kept the Ipswich keeper busy with a decent effort from the edge of the box and both Little and Morgan nearly broke through with runs on goal as Reading increased the pressure. However, it looked like we were going to miss out on any goals until the dramatic finish with both sides getting on the scoresheet. Ipswich remain top of the table, with Reading still in fourth, nine points behind the leaders.

Leicester In Round Four
Added by HNA? on 19/01/05
Reading will face Leicester City in Round Four of the FA Cup, after the side narrowly put out Blackpool in last night's replay with the only goal of the match. Leicester will visit the Madejski Stadium on Saturday 29 January for the FA Cup tie and re-visit on 26 February for the return league encounter. Earlier this season Reading were 2-0 winners at Leicester with goals from Sidwell and Ingimarsson.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Royals Narrowly Make Round Four
Added by HNA? on 17/01/05
Reading faced tough resistance in the third round replay before eventually winning through in extra time thanks to a Nicky Forster goal. In an even contest it was always going to be close and both sides had chances to win the game well before the tie entered extra time at 0-0. Forster probably should have wrapped the game up for Reading before the ninety minutes was up after putting the ball over the crossbar from just a few yards out. Forster failed to take a series of chances before eventually grabbing the decisive goal on ninety five minutes when he stuck home a close range effort after Ingimarsson crossed from the left. Swansea will feel disappointed not to have at least scored after a solid period of pressure in the first half. They put the ball narrowly wide of the target at least once, and when it looked to be heading into the Reading net Sidwell was there to clear off the line. Hahnemann was in excellent from in the Reading goal to keep Reading on level terms at the break. After half time Reading started to look the better side enjoying most of the ball. Owusu came close to putting Reading ahead before Swansea again got a grip on the game. Extra time saw Reading eventually score the decisive goal but Swansea were far from beaten and continued to fight to the end forcing another couple of good saves from Hahnemann. Reading, who progress to round four for the first time since 1998, will face either Leicester City or Blackpool at the Madejski Stadium in the next round.

Goal Drought Continues
Added by HNA? on 16/01/05
Reading's goal drought continued as they completed the fourth straight league game without finding the net. Reading's only goal in the last five games has come in the FA Cup in the dying minutes of a tie against Swansea - a side two divisions below the Royals. Reading's 0-0 draw with Burnley this weekend was another scrappy encounter with probably the right result as both sides failed to create many chances. Reading may feel they had the better of the few opportunities following an impressive second half free-kick from Bobby Convey that hit the Burnley crossbar. Convey enjoyed a second full ninety minutes as he continues to settle well into the side, which will be something positive Reading can take from the match. After a very poor first half with both keepers having little to do, Steve Sidwell picked up a yellow card shortly after half-time after conceeding a foul. The card will earn Sidwell a two match suspension. Reading had the better of a slightly improved second period but struggled to find their way through as Burnley were content to defend for the draw.

Swansea Replay Switched
Added by HNA? on 10/01/05
Reading's FA Cup third round replay against Swansea City has been switched to next Monday evening to, once again, accommodate the Sky TV cameras. The game will kick-off at Swansea at 7:45pm on Monday 17 January live on Sky. In today's fourth round draw Reading or Swansea have been drawn at home to face either Leicester City or Blackpool. League One strugglers Blackpool pulled off an excellent result, on a similar level to Swansea, by drawing 2-2 at the Walkers Stadium at the weekend. Should Reading manage to win in Wales then they will need to wait a night to find out who the opposition in the next round will be.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Ingimarsson Rescues Royals
Added by HNA? on 08/01/05
A late strike from Ivar Ingimarsson rescued Reading from an early exit from the FA Cup as the Royals came from a goal behind to force a replay against Swansea in the third round. Reading had most of the possession throughout the game, and again created a whole series of chances, but struggled to find the target. The Royals went behind just after half an hour when the visitors put in a scrappy goal inside the area that sneaked into the bottom corner. Les Ferdinand made his Reading debut and played alongside Forster but both players missed a series of chances as both Little and Convey fired in a number of crosses. Convey played the full ninety minutes and although he appeared a bit lightweight on a number of occassions will probably be pleased with his performance. The best effort of the first half saw a dipping volley from Convey narrowly go over the bar. After going in 0-1 down at half time the second half belonged to Reading with Swansea happy to defend. Swansea's defence looked like it was going to hold strong despite a Reading effort that looked to have crossed the line and a potential penalty that was waved away as the ball was clearly handled in the area. The breakthrough didn't look like coming and when it did it was from the foot of our central defender who drove home an excellent shot from outside the area that hit the left hand post before ending up in the opposite side of the net.

Ferdinand Set To Start
Added by HNA? on 08/01/05
Les Ferdinand will make his Reading debut this afternoon, after completing his move to the Royals on a contract that runs until the end of the season. Lloyd Owusu is expected to find himself back on the substitutes bench with Ferdinand starting alongside Nicky Forster. Ferdinand will be looking to increase his goal tally for this season - hitting two goals for Bolton so far including a last minute equaliser against Manchester United in the Premiership. Les has been restricted to just two first team starts for Bolton, after his move in the summer from Leicester, and will be looking to earn himself a regular starting place with the Royals. Elsewhere in Reading's starting eleven Hughes could well appear back at full-back with Murty to be rested as he recovers from his knee injury. Meanwhile former Reading player Andy Gurney should feature for the visitors, Swansea City, as he returns from a three match suspension. Swansea will be looking to progress their FA Cup campaign after victories over Cheltenham and Stockport (after a replay). On Monday Swansea were 2-0 winners at Rushden in League Two as they held third place in the table.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Ferdinand Deal Done
Added by HNA? on 06/01/05
Ex-England international striker Les Ferdinand is set to complete his transfer to Reading tomorrow (Friday). Ferdinand, who made 17 England appearances scoring five goals, will almost certainly feature in Reading's FA Cup tie against Swansea on Saturday. Ferdinand, once worth several million, moves to Reading after ending his contract with Bolton earlier this week. He will accept a deal to keep him with Reading until the end of the season. Reading have failed to score in the last three games and will be looking to end that drought with Kitson still sidelined.
Rumour Rating: Almost Certain

Federici Set To Sign
Added by Jay on 06/01/05
Adam Federici looks set to sign with the Royals after a successful trial with the club. The 19 year old goalkeeper is desperate to make a name for himself in England and after trials with fellow Championship sides Wolves and Leeds it looks as though he may make Reading his new home. The Aussie under 20 international keeper has been on trial since last December, but any permanent move still needs to be authorized by Federici's Italian club Sassari Torres. This move could also be a good opportunity for boss Steve Coppell to loan out Royals number two Jamie Young and he will be keen on making the signing of Adam Federici very soon to do so. Jamie Young has only made one senior appearance for the Royals and this will give the young international some much needed experience at first team level and in return push Marcus Hahnemann for a starting place.
Rumour Rating: Almost Certain

Now That's What I Call Beard Day!
Added by HNA? on 04/01/05
The tenth annual beard day celebrations are all set for 5th February 2005 - kicking off at the regular location, the Rose and Thistle, before moving onto the Madejski Stadium as Reading take on Plymouth Argyle. The popular Beard Band will be back as will the Elderly Profit Sack Race! The action starts at the Rose and Thistle on Argyle Road from 11am and then moves to the ground via the pubs free match day bus.If you've never got involved in a Beard Day before then this is your chance - all you have to do is find yourself a beard to wear. It could well be the last ever Beard Day and all fans are being strongly encouraged to take part. If you can't get to the Rose and Thistle then turn up early at the Madejski, with your false beard on show, and get in a couple of pre-match beers to get into the Beard Day atmosphere. Find out more from the links below:

Royals Lose Home Record
Added by HNA? on 03/01/05
Reading's season long unbeaten home league record came to an end this evening with a 0-1 home defeat against Derby County. The result means the Royals managed to pick up just four points from the four games since Boxing Day. The festive period had started so well with the 3-0 win over Watford on Boxing Day. A heavy defeat at Preston, followed by a point at Gillingham, before today's home defeat, means that Reading go into a small break from league action seven points adrift of league leaders Ipswich Town. Reading started very brightly today in front of the Sky TV cameras and dominated the fixture for the opening twenty-five minutes. There was only one side in the game early on as Reading created a whole series of chances but somehow failed to find the back of the Derby net. Reading won two corners in the opening three minutes as Derby were pinned in their own half - but the crosses into the box failed to find Reading men. Owusu had a header on target but straight at the keeper and nearly connected with a fast cross from the right later on - but again we were just short of sending the ball goalbound. After Reading's early effort it was the visitors that started to get into the game. After a couple of impressive Derby breaks they hit the foot of Hahnemann's post and forced a couple of straight forward saves from the Reading keeper. Then, in first half stoppage time, Derby took the lead after Smith got the better of two Reading defenders. He was left with a simple finish after taking the ball easily past Hahenmann, who had poorly timed his run out of goal. The second half was a huge disappointment for the Reading fans with the Royals failing to rise to the challenge. The quick passing game of the first half was a distant memory as Reading struggled to pass the ball around and we were restricted to a handful of chances as Derby were content to play out time. We perhaps should have found an equaliser but were again left lacking up front. Forster missed a decent chance after Little put the ball in the middle when he might have buried it himself - Forster's effort was far too fancy and sent the ball over the bar. We threw on Morgan late on but Derby continued to frustrate the Reading attack and held on for the win.

Royals Start 2005 With Point
Added by HNA? on 02/01/05
Reading started the new year with a point away at Gillingham on New Years Day - but will feel unlucky not to have picked up all three. The Royals looked like they had grabbed victory with just nine minutes left on the clock when Little headed home from a Nicky Shorey cross from the left. The goal was ruled out when the referee judged that Little had pushed the defender to get his header in - it was a harsh decision. Both sides had chances to win the game late on with Hahnemann needing to produce a save to keep Reading level but it was Reading that had the better of the few opportunities throughout the game. It took a long time for either side to threaten in a scrappy fixture played on a poor quality pitch but Reading eventually finished the first half stronger. Both Andy Hughes and Nicky Forster had chances to find the target, either side of half time, but put their efforts wide of goal. Hughes had another chance later in the second half from a Little cross but again failed to get the shot on target as both sides were eventually forced to settle for a draw.

• Latest News
• Previous News Index
• Full previous seasons index

Copyright Hob Nob Anyone? © 1994-2004