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2001/02 Reports

Match facts:

Reading goals: Louie Soares (70 minutes), Simon Cox junior (110 minutes)
Assists: ?, Louie Soares
Opposition goal: After 35 minutes
Half-time: Halifax Town 1 Reading 0
90 minutes: Halifax Town 1 Reading 1
Half-time of extra time: Halifax Town 1 Reading 1
Gamebreaker:
Attendance:
Referee:

Reading line-up: Simon Cox senior; Steven Laidler, Adam Theo, Alex Stanley, Callum Earl; Chris Davies, Simieon Howell (Nathan Stamp, 60 minutes), Andre Boucaud, Jason Awbery; Nathan Bailey (Simon Cox junior, 105 minutes), Louie Soares
Subs not used: Gary Middleton, Peter Castle
Reading yellow cards:
Reading red cards:

Match report:

From our FA Youth Cup correspondent:

Reading struggled from the start to find time on the ball and play football as Halifax were very positive and into the challenge very quickly. They won all the headers in midfield as well as the second ball every time. We were quickly over run in midfield and looked very poor and defended very deep in order to counter act the runners coming through.

To be fair though we had a couple of reasonable chances in the first half, the best being a shot/cross from wide on the right of the penalty area with the goalkeeper stranded. As the ball rolled across the goalmouth Jason Awbery was inches away from reaching the ball and tapping it into the net. Halifax then had an excellent opportunity to take the lead from a cross on the right which was met with a great header by the Halifax forward but Simon Cox made an outstanding save diving to his left and pushing the ball around the post.

Halifax continued to press forward and after about 35 minutes scored from the edge of the penalty area after a mix up between two Reading midfielders who had the opportunity to clear the ball but only succeeded in playing the ball into the path of the oncoming attacker.

The second half started pretty much the same as the first until after 15 minutes Stevie Laidler was moved from right back into the centre of midfield and Nathan Stamp coming on in place of Simeon Howell and moving into the right back position. Almost immediately Reading began to dominate the midfield and took control of the game. A number of good chances followed and Reading were only denied by a number of good saves by Halifax keeper.

With 20 minutes to go the ball came Louie Soares who turned and struck a thunderous shot from 15 yards, which flew into the top of the net leaving the keeper clutching at thin air. Reading took heart from their equaliser and could have wrapped the game up in normal time but failed to take the chances which came their way.

Extra time carried on pretty much in the same way with Reading pushing forward and again forcing the Halifax keeper into some good saves. This was the story of the first period of extra time and then as Reading turned around for the second period young Simon Cox came on in place of Nathan Bailey and immediately started to run at the Halifax defence and pressurise them. His just desserts came with five minutes of the second period gone when he received the ball in the Halifax area following a header from Louie Soares and with two Halifax players around him he fired the ball under the keeper and into the net.

The next ten minutes saw Reading again create chances and Simon Cox again had an opportunity to score but put the ball over the bar from eight yards, high wide and handsome I think they call it. As Halifax looked for the equaliser the game became scrappy and disjointed and a number of players were tiring but Reading held on comfortably to win the match.

A number of players were exceptional on the night and a special mention should be made for the performance of Adam Theo who was a rock at the heart of the Reading defence winning the aerial battles, making some fine challenges and bringing the ball out of defence. Stevie Laidler, Nathan Stamp, Alex Stanley and Jason Awbery all also had good games as Reading finished as worthy winners.

From a guest reporter:

Reading progressed to the fourth round of the AXA FA Youth Cup after a battling performance against Halifax. Reading started slowly after the long journey and Simon Cox had to save as early as the fifth minute going full length to save a ball that bounced awkwardly. The midfield was a battleground and for a while Reading were second best and could have gone behind earlier when a shot grazed the bar.

Halifax eventually took the lead when a loose ball on the edge of the box was not cleared and Halifax scored with a shot into the top corner. Things could have got worse when Halifax's Farrell found himself unmarked 15 yards out on the end of a cross and sent his header spearing to the opposite bottom corner, but Cox made a tremendous save tipping the ball for a corner. This seemed to spur Reading who gradually began to win the midfield battleand Woodcock in the Halifax goal made the first of a series of fine saves - it was a shame he was such a idiot indulging in outrageous time-wasting and twice racing the full length of the pitch to get involved in minor skirmishes which then escalated.

Reading made changes after half-time with Steve Laidler reverting back into midfield and  Neville Stamp coming on into the right back position. Reading then took complete control with Andre Boucaud and Laidler completely dominating the midfield. Reading equalised with a ferocious shot from the lively Louie Soares who worked his socks off and was always a threat to Halifax. The Halifax keeper denied Soares and Jason Awbery, and then made a point blank save from Chris Davies who engineered the chance with a tremendous take on his chest.

Reading should have won in normal time but could not quite take advantage of their possession. Extra time was all one way, apart from the odd scare which the Reading back four dealt with admirably. With five minutes left Simon Cox junior pounced on a loose ball to fire Reading into the next round.

Every player can be proud as this was not an easy game - not always pretty but Reading's second half performance was excellent.

Match notes:

Match preview:

Reading have announced the following line-up:
Simon Cox (senior); Steven Laidler, Adam Theo, Alex Stanley, Callum Earl; Chris Davies, Simieon Howell, Andre Boucaud, Jason Awbery; Nathan Bailey, Louie Soares
Subsitutes: Nathan Stamp, Gary Middleton, Peter Castle, Simon Cox (junior)

Ticket information:

The game is to be played at Shay Stadium. Ticket prices are:
Adults - £3
Concessions - £1

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