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2001/02 Reports

Match facts:

Reading goals: None
Assists: None
Opposition goals:
Half-time: Sheffield United 2 Reading 0
Gamebreaker:
Attendance:
Referee: R Blagden
Linesman / lineswoman: A Shaw / D Butterworth
Weather:

Reading line-up: Jamie Young, John Mullins, Callum Earl (Russell Lucas), Ahmet Rifat, Peter Castle, Simieon Howell (Ryan Crockford), Darren Campbell, Andre Boucaud, Leon Bird, Louie Soares, Nathan Bailey (Richard Bouton)
Subs not used: Ben Pryce, Simon Cox Jnr
Reading yellow cards: Andre Boucaud, Peter Castle, Ahmet Rifat
Reading red cards: None

Match report:

By our Under-17 correspondent:

First Half

Reading dominated the first 15 minutes with Sheffield unable to cope with the fluent movement created by Reading's attacking play. Unfortunately Reading were unable to convert any of this play into goals. Then completely against the run of play a long ball over the top fell to a quick thinking Sheffield forward who seeing Jamie Young off his line coolly curled a fine shot into the top right hand corner. This was Sheffield's first attack of the game but as so often happens this inspired Sheffield and put Reading on the back foot.

Sheffield are a very big and physical team and their tactics suggested that they had decided the best way to stop Reading playing was to close them down and get in very early with the tackles. This put Reading off their normal style of play and resulted in numerous confrontations with players and officials becoming involved. It has to be said that the referee did nothing to help the game and at times seemed to make things worse with some strange decisions. Reading were rattled and before they had a chance to regain full composure Sheffield scored a second. This came about by indecision in the defence allowing a Sheffield attacker to get onto the ball a smash a shot high into the top right hand corner from eight yards.

Sheffield in all fairness then battled very well and gave Reading no space at all. This level of close marking and the way Sheffield shut down space is something the Reading lads will need to learn to cope with better if they are going to win this type of match.

Second Half

Sheffield played the second half in the same manner as the first allowing Reading no space at all on the ball with a number of very strong tackles going in. This resulted in a total of five bookings being given out by the ref. Then Ryan Crockford replaced Simieon Howell and Russell Lucas replaced Callum Earl, and Richard Bouton replaced Nathan Bailey. Although the new fresh legs enabled Reading to start pushing forward and put Sheffield under some pressure Sheffield maintained their work rate and shutting down play. Sheffield's centre forward played well and also spent a great deal of time winding Reading's defence up with a lot of gamesmanship which eventually paid dividends for him when Ahmet Rifat made a rash challenge in the area giving Sheffield a penalty. The same player converted the penalty comfortably. Although Reading were possibly the more gifted footballing side credit has to go to Sheffield for the way they set about undoing Reading and upsetting their style of play.

Match notes:

The result of this game means that Sheffield United win the play-off group and progress to the knockout stages. It also means that Reading's season in the FA Premier Academy League Under-17 section is over.

John Mullins and Richard Bouton have recently been awarded Academy scholarships.

Match preview:

None.

Ticket information:

None.

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