| Competition | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
| U-19 League | Saturday, 24th November (11am) | Crystal Palace | Away | Lost 1-5 |
Match facts:
Reading goal: Matt Birnie
Assist:
Opposition goals:
Half-time: Crystal Palace 1 Reading 1
Gamebreaker:
Attendance:
Weather:
Reading line-up: Simon Cox senior,
Nathan Stamp, Callum Earl (Gary Middleton), Ricky Allaway, Alex
Stanley, Matt Birnie, Ryan Maxwell, Steven Laidler, Louie Soares,
Adam Campion, Scott Williams (Simieon Howell)
Subs not used:
Reading yellow cards:
Reading red cards:
Match report:
By a guest reporter:
Reading were unable to halt the recent run of heavy losses against a useful Crystal Palace side. The first twenty minutes passed without Reading having any real possession as Palace's movement and short passing game had Reading at full stretch, and it was no surprise that under the scrutiny of four Channel Four cameras that Palace took the lead.
Palace's Routledge was the catalyst, as his trickery and pace was for the whole game. He hypnotised Nathan Stamp and sent in a searing low cross that was met on the run by Gray to power home. As per usual this seemed to galvanise Reading into action and for the next 25 minutes they strove for and achieved parity, Matt Birnie scoring an excellent goal which involved five Reading players. At half-time it was 1-1.
The game was evenly contested and Simon Cox, who despite the final score had a good game, saved well from Gray. The events which changed the course of this game were managed by Reading's third manager this season, Brendan Rodgers. With 20 minutes left he took off Scott Williams and Steve Laidler and replaced them with Gary Middleton and Simieon Howell. This undid Reading immediately with Smith beating a weak challenge from Middleton and running unchallenged to the edge of the box and firing into the bottom corner. Other goals came from a penalty after Stanley hauled down Routledge, a well-executed goal after a through ball another from Routledge.
At 1-1 Reading were at the races, afterwards they were blitzed. Sometimes management must take responsibility.
This was Reading's fourth straight heavy defeat and next week they travel to Leicester City. Birnie, who scored another fine goal, Ricky Allaway and Cox played well but Reading's inability to hold the ball upfront or score goals continually hurts them.
Match notes:
The Channel 4 cameras were present to film a documentary series on the Crystal Palace side, entitled T4: The Players. The episode featuring this game was shown on 21st April, 2002 and repeated on 3rd June, 2002.
Match preview:
None.
Ticket information:
None.
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