Clear Win Puts Royals Third
Added by HNA? on 27/12/04
It was a very happy Christmas for Reading on Boxing Day as they swept Watford aside with a convincing 3-0 win. Meanwhile, later on in the day, all the other sides in the top four were beaten. Ipswich, Wigan and Sunderland all failed to pick up any points to leave Reading in third place and just two points off the top of the table. It was a comfortable morning for Reading as they moved into the lead just three minutes into the game when a Shorey free-kick from the left was crossed in and headed home by Sonko. Watford then enjoyed the most of the possession for the rest of the first half as Reading easily contained the visitors. Watford were allowed to pass the ball around but ended up working it backwards rather than forwards and were restricted to a series of long range shots that failed to find the target. It was Reading that continued to look the most dangerous, especially in the second half when Forster looked back to his old self at times as Reading went on a series of quick breaks. The second eventually came with fifteen minutes left to play when Forster broke through down the left to cross to Sidwell who drove his low shot home. The game was clearly won but was made even more clear with a few minutes left on the clock when Little beat his man down the right wing to cross to Owusu who headed home for a deserved goal. Forster continued to cause problems right until the end of the game when the last defender was forced to wrestle him to the ground deep inside the area for what seemed a clear penalty. The referee waved play on and the Royals were forced to settle for a three goal victory.

Shorey Goal Defeats QPR
Added by HNA? on 19/12/04
Reading made it twelve games unbeaten at home in the league this season as they picked up three points against QPR in front of the Sky TV cameras. The game was far from a classic but was a lively contest between two closely matched teams. In the end the difference between the two sides was Shorey's free-kick just after the hour mark, after Owusu was fouled on the edge of the area wide on the right. Shorey's free-kick confused everyone before dipping into the very top left corner of the QPR net for a very impressive winner. Apart from the goal there were very few shots on target for either side. Reading had the better of the first half with Morgan shooting just wide but then saw QPR get the better of the second half. Kitson was forced to leave the pitch ten minutes into the second half with what looks to be another serious injury blow. Jamie Cureton, returning to the Madejski to start for QPR, looked very lively before eventually picking up a straight red card for attacking Steve Sidwell. Cureton's dismisal with Reading already a goal-up, signalled the end for the visitors as they rarely looked like scoring despite still enjoying plenty of the ball. So, another hard fought victory leaving Reading five points clear in fourth place.

Festive Fixtures
Added by HNA? on 14/12/04
Fans are reminded of the unusual kick-off times for the games coming up over the festive period. Both of the home games, against QPR this Saturday and Watford on Boxing Day, will be screened live on Sky TV. The QPR game kicks off at 12:45 and the Watford game starts bright and early at 11am on the Sunday morning. Tickets for the away trips to Preston and Gillingham go on general sale from the Madejski Stadium ticket office on Saturday - both of these trips kick-off at 3pm.

Competition Winners
Added by HNA? on 12/12/04
Thanks to all those who sent in their details for the t-shirt competition. The correct answers were Keith Jones and Phil Parkinson. Jones scored his first Reading goal to make it 4-0 against Grays Athletic in the first round of the FA Cup in November 2000, with Parkinson supplying the ball in. Unfortunately there weren't enough prizes to go around so we've had to pick some winners. The following people should shortly receive a random Hob Nob Anyone? t-shirt in the post: Neil Johnson, George Town, Simon Rhymes, Ben Gordon, John Carstairs, Jorge Clay, Hannah Brooks, Ben Neo, and Jon Keen.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Royals Win Away From Home
Added by HNA? on 12/12/04
Reading ended a run of four away games without a win with an impressive 2-0 victory at Leicester City, grabbing two goals in the last twenty two minutes. Apart from the excellent three points away from home their were plenty of other positives for the Royals. Dave Kitson looked fit again and played out the whole ninety minutes and Nicky Forster made a return to the first team set-up starting on the substitutes bench but not making an appearance. With Murty out injured Andy Hughes returned to his full back position and had a very positive game. A victory wasn't always on the cards with Leicester starting as firm favourites nad having the better of the opening half. Thankfully the home side failed to take their chances after hitting the post and forcing a good save from Hahnemann in the Reading goal. The second half saw Reading look much the better side with the vital goals coming in the last quarter of the match. Steve Sidwell hit a powerful strike, from a Little free-kick, that flew into the top corner of the Leicester net with some speed to put Reading on their way. Leicester looked dead and buried before Reading's decisive second with eight minutes left on the clock, when Shorey's ball in was met by Ingimarsson who rose to head home.

T-Shirt Competition
Added by HNA? on 06/12/04
We've got a set of random Hob Nob Anyone? t-shirts to give away from previous seasons. There's a couple of different designs in either small or extra large size (no mid-sizes left). To be in with a chance of picking up a free t-shirt just contact us with the answers to the following competition question: Who scored the last goal during Reading's first round FA Cup win in November 2000 - and who provided the cross? Get both of those names right and your name will go in the pot of entries - if you get stuck try the match report archive! To enter please e-mail comments@royals.org with your answers, name, full address, and either small or large t-shirt preference. Please make sure you supply your entry by Wednesday evening and we'll pick, and announce, the winners by the end of this week.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Stockport Or Swansea Drawn
Added by HNA? on 05/12/04
Reading will play Stockport or Swansea, at home, in the third round of the FA Cup. The Royals will need to wait to see who they'll face after the two sides drew 0-0 in their second round game yesterday. Stockport, a division below the Royals, are currently rooted to the foot of League One with just two league wins all season - they put out Huddersfield at home in Round One of the competition. Swansea, second in League Two, were winners at Cheltenham in round one. The game will be played at the Madejski Stadium on the 8th of January 2005.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Injury Worries As Royals Stuffed
Added by HNA? on 05/12/04
Reading took a sound beating at Wolves this weekend - making it four away trips without a win. Wolves, struggling at the other end of the table, recovered from a good start from Reading to win 1-4. Reading looked the better side early on, playing some good football and creating some chances - Sidwell had a couple of efforts that needed saves from the Wolves keeper and Kitson put a header wide of goal. The promising start fell to pieces when club captain Murty was stretched off midway through the half, with what appeared to be a serious injury. Soon after Wolves took the lead and the home side took firm control of the game with a second on the stroke of half time. As Reading emerged for the second half there was more bad news with Kitson being replaced, after clearing suffering from further problems with his hamstring injury. There was a glimmer of hope two minutes into the half when Morgan pulled a goal back after keeping onside to run free and take the ball past the keeper. However, Reading failed to pull level later in the half when Owusu might have done better with just the keeper to beat, and instead Wolves finished Reading off with two goals late on.

Royals Forced To Settle For Point
Added by HNA? on 27/11/04
Reading were forced to settle for a share of the points at the Madejski Stadium this afternoon after a Nicky Shorey free-kick smashed against the visitors' crossbar in the last minute of play. If the ball had found the back of the net it would have been fair reward for the Royals, after a much improved second half in which Reading so nearly did enough to win the game. Wigan topped the table before the game kicked off and had the better of the opening forty five minutes - taking the lead from a weak shot that was deflected past Hahnemann midway through the half. Wigan could have extended their lead with a decent effort that was just wide of Hahnemann's left post. A poor Hahnemann free-kick gifted the opportunity for the visitors to shoot at an empty goal but thankfully they put the ball wide. However, it was a game with few chances on goal and Reading's first of the whole game came just before half time with an excellent fast attacking move. Sidwell played the ball out from the middle into the path of Little who was steaming down the right. Little's powerful cross was met with an equally powerful header in the middle as Owusu rose to make it 1-1. Reading's strong finish to the half covered up what otherwise had been a disappointing half. The second half belonged to Reading with Wigan seemingly happy to take the point - Reading played some superb passing football, steming from Sidwell, and looked much the better side. Morgan seemed to be awake after a poor start to the game and twice came close to putting Reading ahead. He did very well to cut in from the left past two defenders and into the area before shooting low and forcing the keeper to make a good save, and followed that up with a snapshot from the centre of the area moments later. Morgan appeared to dive at the end to win the Royals a free kick on the edge of the area, to the right, and Shorey's effort beat the keeper but not the crossbar.

Buses Doubled For Wigan Game
Added by HNA? on 24/11/04
Ahead of Reading's sell out game against top of the table Wigan Athletic on Saturday, the club have arranged for extra buses to transport fans to the ground. The buses are the district services that run from around the Reading area picking up as they go - bus timetables will remain the same but there will be two buses instead of one on most of the routes to make sure everyone gets to the game. The extra bus does not apply to the Newbury route.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Forest Pick Up The Points
Added by HNA? on 20/11/04
Nottingham Forest took the full three points off the Royals this afternoon - earning the win with a single goal midway through the first half. After a scrappy start, with neither side creating much up front, it was Reading that were just starting to get on top when the home side took the lead. In one of the first clean cut chances of the game a shot rattled Hahnemann's crossbar from way outside the area and the rebound was tucked home from close range. Forest then dominated the rest of the first half as Reading looked off the pace. After the break the Royals looked a changed side and had the better of the game as they chased an equaliser. However, despite plenty of effort - especially from Andy Hughes - we lacked any kind of power up front. Owusu was substituted and then Kitson was replaced after picking up an injury and Morgan become a lone strike force but struggled. He managed a shot wide and another high but despite some good periods of Reading possession, Forest looked comfortable at the back to hold on to the win.

Royals Make It Ten Unbeaten At Home
Added by HNA? on 13/11/04
Reading made it ten league games unbeaten at home this season, as their eleventh win of the campaign closed the gap on league leaders Wigan to just two points. In a scrappy encounter Reading were probably the better side against Cardiff City who seldom looked like challenging for the points. The visitors were two goals down at the break and then saw Kavanagh dismissed with a straight red card after he appeared to kick Sidwell after also dishing out a bad foul. Reading took the lead just before the quarter hour when Morgan broke into the area on the left and fired the ball in, which deflected off the back of the keeper and into the net. Kitson then doubled Reading's lead with his fifth strike in five games with an excellent goal five minutes before the break. Nicky Shorey played a superb ball into Kitson's path from the left and Kitson steamed through to beat two players and the goalkeeper before sliding the ball home. The second half saw Cardiff briefly look like they might get into the game before Reading calmed the game down and looked comfortable. Hughes nearly increased the lead after a cross from the left but his effort was well saved. Cardiff pulled back a consolation towards the end with a headed goal past Hahnemann but Reading held on with ease to take the full three points.

Kitson Goal Wins It
Added by HNA? on 07/11/04
Dave Kitson's fourth goal in as many league games was enough for a deserved 1-0 victory over Stoke City at the Madejski Stadium this weekend. Kitson's first half strike got Reading back to winning ways to maintain our unbeaten home league record so far this season. After a scrappy start to the game a low Morgan cross from the right was stuck home by the advancing Kitson after twenty three minutes. Kitson once again impressed throughout the game - not only with his winning goal but with a game of solid effort. However, the whole team worked hard and Reading looked much the better side with some decent passing football. Stoke had chances to pull level in the second half but found Marcus Hahnemann in excellent form to pull off a couple of great saves. Paul Brooker was set up in the second half by a Glen Little cross from the right but fired straight at the keeper when he should have scored to seal victory. In the last few minutes Reading cleared off the line to prevent an equaliser - but it was Reading that were good for the win that takes them back to third in the table.

Royals Steal Point At Plymouth
Added by HNA? on 03/11/04
An injury time goal, well after ninety minutes, from Dave Kitson saw Reading come back from two goals down to share a point at Plymouth last night. The home side will be hugely disappointed after they looked to be cruising to an easy victory after going in at half time already 2-0 up. Plymouth were much the better side for most of the game and got off to an impressive start battering the Reading defence on the hunt for an early goal. It was no suprise when Plymouth eventually took the lead inside twenty minutes, when a header went off a confused Ingimarsson and into the back of the Reading net. Reading recovered slightly but it was Plymouth who also finished the first half stronger getting the second when a through ball beat a static Reading defence. The second own goal of the game gave Reading a lifeline just into the second half when an impressive defensive header flew back into the net. Time looked to be running out when Reading pushed hard for an equaliser at the end of time. Another defensive header nearly created a third own goal but was pushed over the crossbar for a Reading corner. From the corner Shorey put the ball over and Kitson bundled it home for his third goal in as many games.

Williams Move Confirmed
Added by HNA? on 02/11/04
As expected, Adie Williams officially became a Coventry City player today after signing a three year contract with the Championship club. Williams, who moves on a free transfer away from the Royals, will be immediately available for selection as City face Preston at home tonight.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Williams Off To Coventry
Added by HNA? on 31/10/04
Reading central defender, and club captain, Adrian Williams will complete his transfer to Coventry City on Tuesday. Williams was reported to be keen to remain a Reading player but was effectively transfer listed earlier this month when the club refused a contract extension. Williams was looking to extend his contract that runs out at Reading at the end of the current season, but the club's refusal forced Williams to look elsewhere to secure his future. Adie has been up to Coventry last week to discuss the terms of the transfer and to have a medical - it was agreed to hold off completing the transfer until after Saturday's game between the two sides. Williams began his Reading career way back in 1989 and, excluding a four year spell at Wolves who signed Adie for £750,000 in 1996, has always been a Reading player. In over 400 appearances, Williams made well over 300 league starts for the Royals hitting eighteen league goals. Williams dedication to Reading FC through the years will keep him a firm fans' favourite. Good luck at Coventry!

Coventry End Royals Run
Added by HNA? on 31/10/04
Coventry put an end to Reading's eight game unbeaten run in the league as they picked up only their fourth win of the season on Saturday. Reading's 2-3 defeat saw them drop to third in the table as Ipswich reclaimed second place. Reading got off to a good start and looked like they were well capable of continuing the excellent league run - Owusu put the Royals ahead after just eleven minutes from a Glen Little cross. However, the home side were quickly back on level terms when Steve Sidwell gave away a penalty that was driven home within the quarter of an hour mark. After the half time break a Reading collapse saw the game effectively won for the home side as they scored two goals - the second game just five minutes into the half with a powerful shot from distance and it was 1-3 just after the hour mark. Reading worked hard to get back into the game but could manage just the one to bring the scores closer when Kitson scored from close range.

Royals Cruise To Easy Victory
Added by HNA? on 24/10/04
Reading swept Crewe aside with ease this weekend to extend an impressive league run to eight games without defeat. The Royals remain undefeated at home all season but there was never any doubt that the game would produce a convincing Reading victory. Right from the start Reading looked the more composed side playing some excellent passing football that put Crewe to shame. After a number of early chances the Royals went ahead on twenty minutes when Sidwell drove home a low long range effort into the bottom corner of the net. A couple of minutes later and it was 2-0 when Kitson got the better of the last defender as they ran side by side before Kitson muscled past, with the keeper floundering, to see the ball bounce home. Perhaps Reading's best goal was just before the half time break when Hughes, having another superb game, put over a perfect cross from the left for Owusu to rise and head home from the centre of the Crewe area. Any remaining doubt about the game was erased just a couple of minutes into the second half when Reading made it four. A free-kick was swung in from the right by Glen Little and Ingimarsson beat the Crewe defence for Reading's second headed goal to settle the fixture at 4-0. At four goals up it seemed it was a question of how many Reading would get as they looked vastly superior in all departments to the visitors - however Reading appeared to take their foot off the pedal with the points already in the bag. Crewe enjoyed a bit more of the game but rarely got close as Reading played out yet another impressive performance to cemete second place in the Championship table.

Leeds Hold Royals To Draw
Added by HNA? on 19/10/04
Reading were unlucky not to take the full three points at home against Leeds United tonight - but might also be grateful to pick up the draw after the visitors nearly grabbed a late winner. The Royals made it seven home league games without defeat and clung on to second place in the table but were much the better side throughout tonight's fixture. A sell out Madejski Stadium, excluding the away end, saw Leeds United take the lead within the opening two minutes. Sonko, who had a good game otherwise, allowed Leeds to cross from the right and Hahnemann failed to come for the ball allowing a simple headed goal on the edge of the six yard box to put Leeds a goal up. After another brief Leeds attack the game switched round and Reading took firm control with an excellent display of attacking passing football for the rest of the first half. Shaun Goater looked set to put Reading ahead but shot at the keeper after finding himself clean through, and he had a second chance after a Kitson cross saw him narrowly miss a header. Reading's pressure and dominance off the game paid off just before the break when Little was taken down outside the area. Shorey swung in a free kick from the right, Kitson got in a header that appeared to come off the post, before substitute Owusu stuck it home to make it 1-1. The second half saw Reading continue to have the better of the game until we eventually ran out of steam after a frantic hour of football. Little nearly put Reading ahead when his low shot was pushed past the post by the keeper - and the linesman bizzarely awarded a goal kick. Kitson might have done better with another effort after Reading worked another good opportunity. With time running out Leeds made a late claim for the win forcing their first corner of the game and their first real save from Hahnemann in the dying minutes. However, it was Reading that had been much the better side and deserved probably more than just a point.

Victory At Stoke Puts Royals Second
Added by HNA? on 17/10/04
A quickly taken Nicky Shorey free-kick just before half time was enough to give Reading a 1-0 victory at Stoke City yesterday. Shorey's quick thinking with a well placed effort was the difference between two closely matched sides in an uneventful afternoon. While Stoke failed to impress, Reading had Marcus Hahnemann to thank for a couple of excellent saves late in the second half to keep Reading ahead. Both sides managed to hit the crossbar but Reading's first half effort needed a Stoke defender to steer the goal nearly goalbound from a Brooker cross. The Royals were without Sidwell, Williams and Forster and will be well pleased to come back with an excellent result that takes us back to second place in the Championship behind Wigan.

Dolan Excited By Royals Future
Added by Jay on 13/10/04
Eamonn Dolan this week started his role as Academy Director and spoke to readingfc.co.uk with regards to his feelings about the Royals future and how excited he is by what he has seen this week. When speaking to the official website Dolan said "I've been very impressed. The infrastructure here is excellent and Reading's a vibrant up-and-coming club, which is very well run. The youth structure is very solid with some really good people involved. The first team and all the staff have been very amicable and it's all been very positive. This first week is all about me getting an overview of what normally happens at the Club. Obviously a lot of good work has gone on here already and I don't want to come crashing in and diluting that. At the moment I'm seeing what a normal week involves for the staff and the boys. Next week I'll be really getting my teeth into it a bit more and I'm really looking forward to it. So far I've been observing the players and assessing their ability and trying to get a grip on what makes them tick. I've been impressed with their work ethic and the spirit is very good here which in football are both very important attributes to have in a side." The next fixtures for the u18's and u16's Academy comes at the weekend with both traveling to Tottenham on Saturday. Eamonn went on to say "Geoff's going to take the team to Tottenham on Saturday so I can observe and get an idea of the system they play in. It'll top off the week nicely to see the boys play because competition is what it's all about in football." The Royals youth teams have made an impressive start to the new season and with Eamonn Dolan here and settling in well the future does indeed look bright. Could we see some youngsters break through into the first team this season?
Rumour Rating: Definite

Get Your Name In Print
Added by HNA? on 12/10/04
Fans' opinion is the topic every Thursday in Reading's Evening Post in association with Hob Nob Anyone? Each week the paper prints fan opinion on the latest news and events surrounding the mighty Royals. If you'd like to see your name in print then just follow the link below and type away using the on-line form. Last weeks page concentrated on the shock news that Adrian Williams was effectively on the transfer list - the article is available from the link below.

Royals Triple Bill!
Added by HNA? on 08/10/04
All of Reading's home Christmas fixtures are to be shown live on Sky TV, after the television company chose to add January's Derby fixture to the list of games already to be shown. Reading's three festive fixtures will now all have altered kick-off times to fit with the Sky TV schedule. The triple bill starts off with the visit of QPR on Saturday 18th December, with an earlier kick-off at 12:45. Next up will be the Boxing Day fixture against Watford with everyone having to drag themselves out of bed to get to the Madejski Stadium for an 11am start! Finally the game against Derby will now kick off at 5:35pm on Bank Holiday Monday, 3rd January 2005. The club will be hoping that the unusual kick-off times, the time of year and the fact fans can watch the game from their arm chairs won't drag down attendances. On the plus side it's some excellent television exposure for the mighty Royals - even Manchester United would be proud of three straight Sky TV showings!
Rumour Rating: Definite

Williams Allowed To Leave
Added by HNA? on 05/10/04
Reading captain Adie Williams has been given the opportunity to leave the Royals, following unsuccessful contract talks between the player and the club. Adie's contract with Reading runs out at the end of the season and he was keen to secure his future by negotiating an early contract extention. Unfortunately the club have refused to make an offer at this stage of the season - making Williams clearly unhappy and on the look-out for a better deal elsewhere. Although Williams isn't officially "transfer listed" - if an offer comes in for the player the club won't stand in his way. In the meantime Williams will continue to play, assuming he is selected, and could still stay with Reading until the end of the season - and beyond if a new contract is put on the table later in the season.
Rumour Rating: Almost Certain

Sidwell Wins Championship Award
Added by Jay on 05/10/04
Steve Sidwell was today awarded the Championship "Powerade" player of the month for September. Steve's performances last month helped take Reading to the top of the Championship, their highest ever league position in 133 years. Steve won the award ahead of some very good players including Watford’s in form striker Danny Webber, Sunderland’s Mart Poom and Ipswich Town centre back Jason de Vos. Unfortunately for the Royals Sidwell will be missing on the 16th October when Reading travel to Stoke City after the two week international break as he picked up his fifth yellow of the season against Burnley.
Rumour Rating: Definite

Royals Held To Draw
Added by HNA? on 04/10/04
Burnley held Reading to a draw on Saturday as Wigan took Reading's place at the top of the Championship table. Reading's 100% home record came to an end after a solid Burnley defensive performance - however, neither side enjoyed a large number of chances in a tight game. It was a disappointing match and result in front of a home crowd seeing their side in their highest league position in the history of the club. The attendance of 15,400 was perhaps slightly disappointing as well considering Reading's position. Dave Kitson had one of Reading's best chances in the first half but put his shot wide and Nicky Forster had a couple of opportunities but failed to really test the Burnley keeper. The visitors probably had an equal number of chances - but Hahenemann made the required saves to prevent anyone getting on the scoresheet. Reading dropped to third on Sunday with Ipswich Town picking up a win to move into second place above the Royals.

Latest Fans' Feedback
Added by HNA? on 01/10/04
Yesterday's Hob Nob Anyone? page in the Reading Evening Post is now on-line to read. The page gives fans their chance to get their opinion in print by submissions made through Hob Nob Anyone?. If you would like to have your say then just follow the link below and complete the form to send in your comments and opinion. The main topic for this weeks page is of course Reading sitting on top of the Championship table!

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