MATCH REPORT: 2004/2005 Season

18 December 2004: LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
READING 1 QPR 0
goals
Reading: Shorey (64 mins).
QPR:
-
Half Time: 0-0
Attendance: 20,272

CHAMPIONSHIP 18 Dec 2004
Pos Team P Pts GD
3 Sunderland 24 46 +15
4 READING 24 44 +11
5 Sheff Utd 24 39 +1
teams
Reading: Hahnemann, Shorey, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Hughes, Little, Sidwell, Harper, Brooker, Kitson (Owusu 55), Morgan (Forster 68). Subs Not Used: Convey, Newman, Young.
QPR: Day, Bignot, Shittu, Santos, Padula (Best 75), Bircham, Gallen, Rowlands (Cook 85), Miller (Ainsworth 85), Furlong, Cureton (sent off 73). Subs Not Used: Edghill, Bean.
bookings
Reading: Kitson, Harper.
QPR:
Rowlands, Bircham. Sent Off: Cureton
Referee: Ref: R Beeby (Northamptonshire).
report

Rangers were clearly wound up by manager Ian Holloway in order to halt their recent poor sequence of results. They ended the game with a high tally of fouls, Cureton sent off for an act of pure petulance and no points. There was an edge to the game provided by a succession of niggling fouls from Rangers and refereeing that was as dodgy as the visitors haircuts. Reading, by virtue of keeping their heads, came out of the game with their dignity in tact and all three points. The only blight on the performance being the rather harsh booking of Kitson and his serious looking injury early in the second half.

The home fans welcomed their former hero back with generous applause and a chorus of "Jamie Cureton - what a bargain!" (I seem to remember Norwich City fans giving him a similar reception when he was playing for us.) Then the hostilities began. The referee made some poor decisions and which angered both teams. The most glaring error was exposed on Sky when Bircham clearly handled in the penalty area. The first half was lively but lacking in quality especially in attacking play with few chances created. Reading looked stronger towards the end as Rangers lacked composure at the back and were regularly conceding free kicks.

In contrast the visitors opened the second half strongly with Cureton looking sharp and hitting three reasonable shots, one of which drew a smart save from Hahnemann. Things continued to turn Rangers way when Kitson seemed to turn awkwardly and crumple to the ground. It was a psychological blow as much as anything for the Royals, and his departure initially seemed to create doubt in the minds of the team about their ability to take the initiative. That feeling did not last long. From just outside the box Shorey looped a curling and dipping free kick into the top left corner of the net. The strange trajectory of the ball left 'keeper Day with no chance at all of reaching it.

The situation became more comfortable for Reading when Cureton lost his cool after being conned by Sidwell into leaving the ball. The little chap lashed out almost comically at a startled Sidwell and was correctly shown a red card. I read later Sidwell accepted that it was wrong of him to behave in that way. I would have liked to see the expression on his face as he owned up! For me it simply illustrated why Reading let him go. Great finisher he may be, but he is not mentally tough enough to hold a regular spot in the team. Credit must be given to Rangers for adopting an attacking 3-4-2 formation but they did not ever really look like scoring.

At half time Murty made his way down the steps in the West Upper Stand for his refreshments announcing that " They don't need me!" and commented on how well Hughes had played. He was absolutely right - Hughes was clearly man of the match. I think right back probably suits him well because the play is mainly in front of him, he is less pressured in possession, and defensive duties are more clearly defined. Whatever the reason, it was certainly one of his better games. Good to see Fozzy back. With Kitson injured again we are going to need him over Christmas.
Report by John Wells


FANS' POST MATCH OPINION

How nice to go into the busy Christmas period with another precious three points and two wins on the bounce. Not the best of games which to be honest could have gone either way but Curetons sending off seemed to tip things our way and add a bit of spice to proceedings. QPR seemed fired up for the game and several niggly tackles went in early all compounded by a first class pillock of a referee, by god he was useless, Santa Claus could have done a better job. Hughsie had a good game and gave 110% as usual and as we come to expect now the Reading midfield led by Harper and Sidders worked their socks off too. Great to see Fossie back though a big worry to see Kitson go off injured yet again, he looks in need a good period of rest to me to get his body back to shape. When he is fit again the potential of Kitson and Fossie up front can only be one of excitement that's certainly capable of scoring many goals. The squad is still woefully too small but it does appear those words are falling of deaf chairman's ears. As we now enter the second half of the season I'm sure all of us would have more than happily settled for our league position. We're quietly getting on with things as the other so called big clubs get all the publicity and pressure that goes with it. I still don't think we're playing to our full capability, we can play better, but the league never lies and we are very nicely placed. I'm off to the other side of the world for a month and return unfortunately the Sunday after the Ipswich game at the end of January, I'd be well chuffed if we're still in the top four then, I think we will be. Happy Christmas to all the Loyal Royals where ever you are, and here's to a happy, lucky and celebratory new year!! UURRRRZZZZZ!!
Nick Newbury

This was a very tight match which Reading just deservedly edged. The team worked very hard (Sidwell, Harper and Hughes stood out most for me in this respect) and coped well with the physical tactics employed by their opponents, especially the dreadful Bircham who I reckon deserved far more than the yellow card he eventually got. The only major downer was Kitson limping off. They said on the radio afterwards about it being knee ligaments, so we can only hope it's not a serious injury and doesn't keep him out too long. Nice to see Jamie Cureton get such a good reception and he obviously appreciated it so much he gave us all an early Christmas present by seeing red in the 2nd half! Shame it had to work out like that for him, but probably just as well as he was looking quite dangerous in the 2nd half. A good result from a hard working team performance. Keep it up! COME ON...
Caversham Royal

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