Match Report: 2010/2011 Season
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7 August 2010: CHAMPIONSHIP
READING 1 SCUNTHORPE UNITED 2
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goals
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Reading: Sigurdsson (26 mins).
Scunthorpe: Thompson (9 mins), Jones (60 mins). |
Half Time: 1-1
Attendance: 15,914
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teams
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Reading:
Federici, Mills, Griffin, Williams, Pearce, McAnuff (Antonio, 75), Kebe, Karacan (Church, 70), Sigurdsson, Gunnarsson (Tabb, 59), Long.
Subs not used: Howard, Rasiak, Hamer, Robson-Kanu.
Scunthorpe: Murphy, Mirfin ( Raynes, 51), Nolan, McNulty, Jones, Togwell, O'Connor ( Andrew Wright, 89), Thompson, Josh Wright, Forte, Dagnall ( Woolford, 73). Subs not used: Collins, Grant, Slocombe, Canavan. |
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bookings
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Reading: -
Scunthorpe: Murphy, Thompson. Ref: F Graham (Essex) |
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report
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Reading created sufficient chances to have won this game comfortably, but poor finishing, and even poorer defending enabled one of the weaker Championship sides to sneak off with all three points leaving players and fans feeling deflated. Expectations were high, almost to the point off complacency, as Reading kicked off their season at home against the kind of opposition a team with the ambition of reaching the play-offs would expect to win with relative ease. It looked as if that might be the case as the Royals mounted a series of attacks in the opening minutes. The mood quickly changed as Forte beat Mills far to easily to put in a cross from which Thompson scored. There was a moment or two of confusion as the assistant's flag was hoisted but was ultimately ignored by referee Graham and a goal was given. Scunthorpe had not read the script.
Reading were playing a 4-2-3-1 formation with Karacan and Gunnarsson holding in midfield. Long as always toiled unselfishly up front, Kebe and McAnuff provided the width and Sigurdsson was given the central attacking midfield position he surely enjoys most of all. His selection in that position was fully justified when he sidestepped a challenge outside the box and drove a long range effort past Murphy. It was the perfect way for Reading to open their account for the season. Almost immediately McAnuff, who was playing well but getting a raw deal from the referee, should have given Reading the lead and he swept into the box only to scuff his shot wide of the upright. Somehow Reading were unable to get into their stride. Their passing was not slick enough and Scunthorpe were certainly not prepared to stand back and admire their opponents skill. Karacan was caught in possession at least three times in the first half. The second half saw flashes of enterprising play from Reading but United defended with courage and determination as exemplified by Murfin's brave challenge which ended with the defender being stretchered off to hospital. McAnuff looked to have put Reading ahead with a sweetly stuck shot which cannoned wide off a defender's knee with Murphy well beaten. Their eagerness to score almost gave United the lead as Griffin amazingly kept four attackers at bay singled handed when the Royals over committed and lost possession. Not only did he slow the attack down he actually won the ball. In contrast Mills deserved to have this week's wages docked for his impersonation of a statue at the far post allowing Jones to head powerfully into the net from a rare United corner to give United the lead. McDermott tried all sorts of things to liven up his flagging attack. The switching of Kebe to left wing following McAnuff's departure after seventy-five minutes almost brought instant success as he burst through and set up Church with a golden chance which the young striker sidefooted tamely at Murphy. It was the sort of miss that makes heads drop on and off the pitch. Antonio had a lively spell as a late substitute but lacked the composure to capitalise on his pace and trickery. Murphy finally got the booking he deserved for time wasting near the end - but avoided further punishment in spite of continuing his delaying tactics. He need not have bothered as the Royals did not look likely to snatch the goal they were clearly desperate to score. Williams had a solid game at the back but Mills and Pearce looked worryingly out of their depth in what was hardly the toughest test they are likely to face this season. Last season Reading did not have to rely on this pairing with Ingimarsson, Cisse and Khizanishvili as back up. Suddenly the centre of the defence looks like a significant weakness. Apart from that it is too early to talk about the shape the season will take for the Royals, but I get the feeling there even more teams in the Championship this season likely to be serious contenders for a play-off spot. John Wells |
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