Match Report: 2009/2010 Season
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27 March 2010: CHAMPIONSHIP
READING 1 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1
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goals
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Reading: Sigurdsson (6 mins).
West Brom: Tamas (86 mins). |
Half Time: 1-0
Attendance: 20,515
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teams
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Reading:
Federici, Mills, Griffin, Bertrand, Khizanishvili, McAnuff, Howard, Kebe, Sigurdsson, Gunnarsson (Rasiak, 88), Long (Church, 65).
Subs not used: Hamer, Pearce, Henry, Karacan, Robson-Kanu.
West Brom: Carson, Tamas, Olsson, Mattock, Thomas, Watson, Morrison (Cox, 77), Dorrans, Reid, Mulumbu ( Miller, 62), Wood (Barnes, 62). Subs not used: Kiely, Moore, Zuiverloon, Meite. |
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bookings
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Reading: Bertrand, Griffin, Mills, Sigurdsson.
West Brom: Reid, Watson. Ref: A P D'Urso (Essex) |
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report
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Reading fans left the Madejski slightly disappointed, but far from despondent, after seeing their team concede a late equaliser to an Albion side also on top form and destined for another season in the Premiership. Reading took an early lead in a rousing first half in which both sides played open attacking football although Reading created the better scoring opportunities. Albion took control of the second half but again Reading had better scoring opportunities. Poor finishing cost them two points in the end but overall it was another fine performance from the Royals as their unbeaten run now extends to seven games.
The first half was fast and flowing with both sides looking likely to score. Reading took the lead after only six minutes when a McAnuff shot was parried by Carson, Kebe followed up and his shot was again blocked before Sigurdsson tucked it away from close range. It is worth noting that when the goal was scored Reading had at least five players in the box queuing up to score. The work ethic of the team was an outstanding feature of the first half. When they broke forward players were making runs and swarming all over their opponents, and when they lost the ball Albion were stifled as Reading chased and closed them down all over the pitch. A lesser side than Albion would have crumbled. Albion were also looking dangerous and Federici had to make a couple of very good saves. Sigurdsson should have doubled the lead when a Howard shot was well saved and the ball popped up on the edge of the goal area, but with the goal at his mercy Gylfi headed the ball straight at the defender on the line. Thomas was giving Griffin a torrid time with his pace and skipped past him on at least three occasions in the opening fifteen minutes. The full back eventually decided enough was enough and clattered him a couple of times before settling down and keeping him quiet legally by getting much tighter, having realised that once he had turned, Thomas was going to leave him for dead with his pace. A goal up and playing bright inventive football, and not for the first time since Christmas, Reading left the field at half time to a standing ovation. The second half was much more subdued as Albion took control and Reading had to work hard to keep them at bay. As the game wore on Reading fans seemed to sense a victory but in truth the game was on a knife edge throughout and it felt as if either side were likely to score at any moment. Midway through the half Church replaced Long presumably to freshen up the attack, not that Long had played badly, and he should have scored almost immediately when he beat the offside trap, but his first touch was poor and although he reached the ball before Carson he was only able to prod it wide. This was followed by a string of dubious decisions by the referee's assistant given in Albion's favour for offside and an absolute howler of a decision over a clear foul throw which lead unfortunately to the equaliser. From the throw Albion attacked and won a corner. Olsson headed the corner against the post and Tamas smashed in the rebound. There were only six minutes left and the Baggies fans celebrated as if they had just won promotion. They were soon silenced as Kebe burst through rounded and Carson but had his shot blocked by the 'keeper who recovered well. The drama was not over as Dorrans broke through and had sight of goal before Sigurdsson cynically brought him down on the edge of the box. He received a yellow card as the Albion players sportingly hounded Andy D'Urso demanding a red card, which some referee's might have given but not the incompetent Mr D'Urso. I am in no way condoning foul play but another important feature of the McDermott era is the determination to win which today was evident in the number of yellow cards dished out to Reading players for what are euphemistically known as 'professional fouls'. Not only are Reading entertaining to watch now - they are also hard to beat. John Wells |
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