1871 - the ultimate Reading FC website

2001/02 Reports

Match facts:

Reading goals: Alex Stanley (5 minutes), Joey Alcott (20 minutes), Jason Awbery, Louie Soares (75 minutes)
Assists: Andre Boucaud, Simieon Howell, ?, Joey Alcott
Opposition goal:
Half-time: Reading 2 Crystal Palace 0
Gamebreaker:
Attendance:
Weather: Strong winds

Reading line-up: Simon Cox, Ricky Allaway, Adam Theo (Nathan Stamp), Alex Stanley, Declan O'Hara (Gary Middleton), Scott Williams (Louie Soares), Simieon Howell, Andre Boucaud, Jason Awbery, Steven Laidler, Joey Alcott
Subs not used:
Reading yellow cards:
Reading red cards:

Match report:

By a guest reporter:

Reading continued their post-Christmas improvement as they followed two narrow defeats (at Chelsea and Arsenal) with a comprehensive demolition of Crystal Palace. This was a great display with every player on near top form.

With the gale force winds playing havoc Reading started brightly and created good chances. Within ten minutes they were ahead when a free-kick driven in from the left was turned in by Alex Stanley. Reading did not have it all their own way though as Simon Cox had to make two smart saves to keep Reading ahead, but to be fair Reading's defence was quality today as Palace were dangerous going forward.

There were no real threats after this as Reading's young midfield of Simieon Howell and Andre Boucaud matched Palace blow for blow (and in the second half acheived ascendancy). Chances were still being created and Reading scored a deserved second when Joey Alcott, put through by a delightful Howell pass, slotted home.

Half-time - Reading 2 Crystal Palace 0

The third followed soon after half-time but it was not clear to me who scored though [later note: it was Jason Awbery].

Palace still posed problems after the break but their defending did not match their attacking. Reading were a threat every time a Palace attack broke down. Alcott hit the bar with a tremendous curling shot, Jason Awbery hit the bar direct from a corner and Steven Laidler hit the post all within five minutes. Cox, who is playing with renewed confidence and gave a almost faultless performence, blotted his copybook on 75 minutes when coming for a free-kick which caught the wind and left him grasping at air allowing Smith to score (although Gary Middleton nearly spared his keeper's blushes but not quite).

Cox went some way to redeeming himself two minutes later when after taking a corner he launched a massive clearance against the wind which first bounce landed on the edge of Palace's area. Louie Soares picked the ball up, after the keeper's challenge on Alcott, to stroke into an empty net. Reading still had chances and Alcott went close again

Final score - Reading 4 Crystal Palace 1

This was a tremendous performance, a credit to coach Brendan Rodgers. Every player was superb. A special mention to Declan O'Hara, Scott Williams and to Simieon Howell. Simieon played with renewed confidence and his work rate along with Andre Boucaud was top drawer. Also Adam Theo, the third first year scholar in the team, did not look out of place.

Match notes:

This was meant to be a Reading home game, but it was switched.

My first stab at a report had some goalscorers wrong - my apologies for this, and I hope it is right now.

Match preview:

None.

Ticket information:

None.

Home . Academy Index

News . First Team . Opposition . Reserves . Where Are They Now? . Columns . Kingsley . MadStad . Interactive . Links . Site Map