Match Report: 2011/2012 Season
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11 February 2012: CHAMPIONSHIP
READING 2 COVENTRY CITY 0
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goals
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Reading: Kebe (25 mins), Roberts (43 mins).
Coventry City: -. |
Half Time: 2-0. Attendance: 18,006
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teams
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Reading: A Federici, I Harte, M Connolly, K Gorkss, A Pearce, J Mills, M Leigertwood (J Tabb, 87), J Kebe (T Cywka, 76), J Karacan, N Hunt (S Church, 67), J Roberts.
Subs not used: M Andersen, A Le Fondre Coventry City: J Murphy, R Keogh, M Cranie, R Wood (J Clarke, 7), C Christie, S Clingan (D Bell, 59), G Deegan (C Baker, 76), O Norwood, C Platt, G McSheffrey, A Nimely. Subs not used: F Eastwood, C Dunn |
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bookings
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Reading: Leigertwood.
Coventry City: Cranie, Clarke, Christie. Ref: David Coote. |
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report
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As I left the ground today I overheard two resigned City fans discussing the possible away fixtures next season in League One. Their pessimism was mirrored in their team’s performance who waited until they were two goals down before showing any real enterprise. The outcome of this game, although predictable, was not as comfortable as it might have been for the Royals. Ahead by two goals at half time, Reading were grateful for three excellent saves from Adam Federici to prevent City from getting back into the game in the second half. With Mills replacing McAnuff on the left Reading had to rely on Kebe to open up the City defence. Loan signing Connolly came in at right back and, after clumsily conceding a free kick and causing havoc with a wretched back pass, settled down to a very solid performance. He looked very comfortable on the ball, passed the ball well, and looked very secure defensively.
City enjoyed a lot of possession in the first half but lacked penetration. Midfield was congested and there were few openings created by either side. Leigertwood made a good run into the box which came to nothing. Hunt’s effort was blocked after a good cross by Mills. Kebe was looking very lively, and McSheffrey was remarkably allowed to flatten him with a late tackle without even a warning from referee Coote. Undeterred, Kebe stuck to his task and was rewarded with a goal in the twenty-fifth minute. Connolly found Roberts with good long ball who held the ball up before rolling the ball into the path of Kebe as he raced forward into the box. Unpredictably Kebe stabbed the ball up and over Murphy into the far corner of the net. Kebe continued to torment the City defence and was hauled back as he wriggled between two defenders resulting in a yellow card for Cranie. The second goal came as half time approached when slack marking allowed Connolly to meet a deep corner and Roberts deflected his goal bound header into the net. Finding themselves two goals ahead Reading began passing the ball well through midfield and City, with nothing lose, pressed forward. The game was more open and should have produced more goals. Roberts appeared to be brought down in the box but referee Coote was unsympathetic to Reading’s appeals. Leigertwood opted out of a fifty – fifty challenge after Kebe slipped him a ‘hospital ball’ on the half way line allowing Nimely an unchallenged run at goal. As Fedrici fell to his right he amazingly deflected Nimely’s powerful strike over with his outstretched left hand. Encouraged by this effort, City forced two further excellent saves from the Reading ‘keeper through long range efforts by Mc Sheffrey and Nimely. Karacan had his now customary superb game in front of the back four. Harte’s unspectacular contribution went almost unnoticed, but his positional sense, touch, and distribution were a cut above everyone else on the pitch. The referee saved his worst decision for the final stages of the game when Mills went on a great run and was halted by a blatant hack from behind right in front of Mr Coote who unbelievably waved play on. Church came on for Hunt and headed a sharp chance over from close range and Cywka was again impressive wide on the right in the last fifteen minutes. I can only assume it is Le Fondre’s lack of pace which is denying him a chance of playing alongside Roberts ahead of Church. With Connolly, Gorkss, Pearce, Harte, Leigertwood and Roberts in the side today, Reading looked physically stronger than they have for some time, which may stand them in good stead for the battles ahead. With so many teams closing in on the automatic promotion places the Royals will need to scrap for points between now and the end of the season especially away from home. The last four away games are West Ham, Brighton, Southampton and Birmingham – a daunting prospect but not beyond this squad. John Wells |
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