Reading v Scunthorpe United

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Football League Championship

Reading :
Federici, Ingimarsson, Pearce, Cummings, Cisse, Tabb, Matejovsky, McAnuff, Robson-Kanu (Kebe 64), Sigurdsson, Rasiak. Subs Hamer, Armstrong, Mills, O'Dea, Gunnarsson, Karacan.
Subs not used:

Scunthorpe United :
Lillis, Williams, Byrne (A.Wright 59), Jones, Mirfin, Togwell (O'Connor 66), McCann, Thompson, J.Wright, Hayes, Hooper (Forte 89).
Subs not used:
Slocombe, Spence, Friend, Sparrow.

SULSESC REPORT

by Dave Pratt at Madejski Stadium

Proper Second Division

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Away vs Iceland Reading

Att. 15,274 (395 away)

Home kit worn

A year (December 12, 2008) since my report from the ill-fated 4-4 draw at home to Northampton Town, and several more since my last visit to the Madejski, and the leg-break of St. Alex.

No need for the rip-off 8 quid or 10 quid parking on offer in the adjacent industrial units, when an early arrival and use of free parking at the ground, courtesy of the Christmas park and ride scheme, enabled an prompt arrival at the Nag's Head, where a good turn-out, including several new SULSESC faces, were to be seen. Welcome.

The extensive range of ales on offer satiated the demands of those present, together with locally renowned pies from Sweeny & Todds. The pub even laid on a bus (return journey) to the ground

The news that Rasiak was to be in the starting line-up, with his record of having scored against us three times in 0-1 defeats, prompted at least one punter to race to the bookies hoping to cash in. It was the Iron, however, who had the first chance, as a cross whipped in by Thompson was headed by Hooper straight into the arms of Federici.

Scunny came closest to scoring again, albeit at the wrong end, as Jobi McAnuff crossed from the left, only to see the ball deflected just wide of his own post by Rob Jones.

Reading were in complete control at this stage, continuing to push forwards. That man Rasiak sent a header just over and then farcically missed his kick when in with a chance from close range

True to form, however, he opened the scoring after 16 minutes, climbing above a static Marcus Williams to head home from a pass by Hal Robson-Kanu.

It seemed inevitable that the floodgates would open and that Reading would secure only their second home league win of the season. Sure enough, they almost grabbed a second straight away with Robson-Kanu setting up Gylfi Sigurdsson for a shot. Lillis made a fine save, with Mirfin clearing to the relative safety of a corner. Despite this, Hooper had two chances, one either side of the goal, both competently dealt with by Federici.

Sigurdsson was on target again in the 35th minute, forcing a superb full length diving save from Lillis, who pushed the Icelander's free-kick just wide of the upright. The pressure continued, as the corner came across, with Reading central defender Alex Pearce sending a powerful shot crashing against the crossbar. Just before the break, Rasiak missed a golden chance to make it two, failing to connect with the simplest of tap-ins.

The second-half saw continued Royals pressure, with further chances falling to Sigurdsson, twice, and Rasiak. Again Josh kept the Iron in the game. More good fortune came our way when substitute Kebe shot wide of the post.

There was brief respite as Ingimarsson gave away a free kick just outside the box, only for McCann to fail to beat the wall. The home team should have sewn things up with another double chance, as firstly Matejovsky saw his close-range shot beaten away by Lillis, only for Sigurdsson to drill wide of the post, again.

It seemed inevitable that Reading were not going to score again, and that we would equalise (memories of Leicester), and thanks to Hooper getting on the end of a cross from Hayes, this proved to be a case of deja vu. Indeed we almost snatched it at the death, as Forte was brought on to replace Hooper. Following what can only be described as a mazy, Brazilian, Jason White-like run, involving beating, four, five, who knows, players, he managed to slot wide past an open goal, having done the hard work. This certainly would have been a contender for goal of the season.

So, Reading booed off by their own, the Iron unbeaten in four, Laws out the day after and McCauley in. Ho, ho, ho!

Post Script

Apropos of nothing, the following link might provide a bit of fun over the festive season

http://www.jeu-de-main.com/