15 December 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading caretaker boss Scott Marshall remains without a win after his second game in charge ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Rotherham United. After last week's 0-2 home defeat to Sheffield United, where Reading were very much second best, Marshall opted to make a few changes to the trip to Rotherham who were 3 points ahead of the Royals. Twenty year old Tom McIntyre, obviously very well known to Marshall, made his first team debut in defence. Up front youngster Danny Loader was back on the bench with Baldock making a start.
The Royals started strongly and were much the better side in the opening half. The choice of Baldock up front paid off inside the opening ten minutes. After sending an early effort just wide of the post it wasn't long before he was on the scoresheet. Minutes later a great pass from Sims into the area set Baldock up and he finished well to give Reading an early lead. It was Reading's first goal away from home since our 1-2 defeat at Birmingham in the middle of October.
Baldock continued to look dangerous and could have doubled Reading's lead before half time, putting one just over the crossbar and missing the target when he really should have done better. Sims, who had a decent game, nearly scored but his effort found the post, and the impressive Swift saw his goalbound shot well saved by the Rotherham keeper. Last weekend Reading failed to register a single shot on target, so this could definitely be seen as improvement.
However, the match flipped around after the half time break as Reading began to hang on. Jaakkola was again in good form with some good saves to prevent the equaliser. With Reading set to collect a rare three points the inevitable goal came with a minute left to play when Mattock scored from close range with little resistance from the Reading defence. It could have been worse when Rotherham put the ball just wide in stoppage time.
The point was enough to take the Royals out of the bottom three - above Millwall on goal difference. Reading travel to Millwall on Boxing Day in a match where they must avoid defeat. Before that we face sixth placed Middlesbrough at the Madejski Stadium next weekend.
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