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2000/01 Reports

Reading goals: Fashanu, Weisberg (2, 1 penalty),
Attendance:

Reading line-up: Cox, Stamp, Earl, Howell, Middleton, Theo, Campbell, Laidler, Stanley, Fashanu (Soares), Weisberg (Bird)
Subs not used:

Trialists Callum Earl and Ryan Weisberg played in this game.

Report from Peter Cox:

Reading's Under-17s today began their 2001 play off campaign against a very strong Ipswich Town side which included five players who starred in their FA Youth Cup semi-final 1st leg victory over Arsenal at Highbury.

The game, played at Thatcham FC, began at a very high pace. Within minutes Reading's Republic of Ireland Under-16 international keeper Simon Cox was forced to make the first of six outstanding saves when he went full length to turn away a full-blooded volley from Ipswich's England Under-16 striker Darren Bent for a corner.

There followed a 15 minute period when the play was contested vigorously, no quarter being asked or given. Ipswich then began to wrestle control and keeper Cox made the best of his saves as Ipswich's Robinson drove into the left hand corner of the Reading box and unleashed a swerving drive which arrowed towards the top corner. Ipswich were already celebrating when Cox flung himself upwards and turned the ball over the bar.

This galvanised Reading and within two minutes Andre Fashanu latched onto a through ball from the ever working Steve Laidler and stroked it home. Ipswich retaliated immediately and Cox was forced to fly from his goal to brilliantly save at the feet of Robert Dickinson who as a result had to leave the field of play.

For the next ten minutes Reading's defence, with Adam Theo, Gary Middleton and Cox, stood firm in the face of a furious Ipswich onslaught. Just when it seemed that they would go in at half-time 1-0 up, the referee made the first of many appalling decisions. Keeper Cox came and took a cross under pressure, and then waited for the Ipswich striker who had gone behind to go past - unbelievably the referee gave a free kick for time wasting. After all the complaints had died down Ipswich's Westlake latched onto the rebound and fired home. 1-1 to the referee!

The second half began as the first had ended with Ipswich in control but Reading were not going to roll over and lay down for their Premiership opponents. Alex Stanley, who had a good game on the left side of midfield, went close with a glancing header after 70 minutes. Then just as Reading began to think they could spring a surprise Ipswich's Bent scored a fine individual goal. Many who have seen our Under-17s this season could have been forgiven for thinking that would be that but Brian McDermot has been installing character in his players and Ipswich were in for a big shock.

Keeper Cox collected a long through ball and despatched a return with interest. The ball landed on the edge of the Ipswich penalty area and trialist Ryan Weisberg who, as all the Reading players did, had a fine game was held back. Penalty! Weisberg duly despatched the ball to make it 2-2. Reading were now on fire and Howell and Campbell both had efforts saved. But once again Cox proved Ipswich's undoing diving bravely at the feet of Burton. Cox took the ball and launched another mighty kick which landed in Ipswich's penalty area. The impressive Campbell hypnotised the Ipswich defence and crossed for Weisberg to cheekily flick home. 3-2 to Reading. The last ten minutes were frantic as Ipswich strived to equalise but Reading stood firm - the only scare being when English international Bent raced clear only for Republic of Ireland international keeper Cox to brilliantly save two handed as he went down.

Moments later the whistle sounded and Reading had defeated their illustrious Premiership opponents. This was a tremendous team performance but two players stand apart - Darren Campbell who has the quickest feet I have seen in many years and at only 14 years old has a very promising future. The other player is keeper Simon Cox, who has played most of this season in the Under-19s and is improving all the time. He was outstanding in this game and has already been capped twice for the Republic of Ireland Under-16s this season.

Reading have two remaining games against Wimbledon and Millwall - if we in those games we will progress to the national play-off quarter finals which culminate in a final which will be shown live on Sky Sports TV.

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