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2001/02 Reports

Match facts:

Reading goals: Darius Henderson (38 minutes), Phil Parkinson (47 minutes - in first half injury time), Alex Smith (51 minutes), Darius Henderson (90 minutes)
Assists: Alex Smith, Darius Henderson, Anthony Rougier (none for second goal as it was a defender who headed it to Phil Parkinson)
Opposition goals: None
Half-time: Reading 2 Luton Town 0
Gamebreaker: Reading's third goal
Attendance: 5,115
Referee: David Crick (Worcester Park)

Reading line-up: Phil Whitehead; Graeme Murty, Adrian Whitbread, Adie Williams, Nicky Shorey; Sammy Igoe, Phil Parkinson (Joe Gamble, 79 minutes), James Harper, Alex Smith (Nathan Tyson, 63 minutes); Nicky Forster (Anthony Rougier, 46 minutes), Darius Henderson
Subs not used: Jamie Ashdown, Adi Viveash
Reading yellow cards: Alex Smith (43 minutes, foul)
Reading red cards: None

Match report:

I thought that plodding along to a 1-1 draw away to a shabby Luton side near the end of last season represented one of the worst Reading performances in the last year, and I was delighted that we showed no similar signs in this match. Luton may have won both their League games in so far, but the difference in class between the two sides was even more obvious than in our game against Blackpool on the season's opening day.

We had an unusual minute's silence before the start. When the players came onto the pitch they immediately lined up around the centre circle for the tribute to former Luton keeper Les Sealey who died very recently, and then went through a miniscule warm-up afterwards.

Alan Pardew had made a couple of changes to get some of our younger players playing, and one of them, Nicky Shorey, came close to scoring early on from a direct free-kick just outside the penalty area on the right-hand side. Shorey is left-footed and when he is playing gives us a free-kick option from the right-hand side of the pitch.

Although clearly the better side, it was not until just before half-time that we made the breakthrough. Alex Smith took an inswinging corner on the right side that was knocked back out to him by a defender. He crossed again and this time picked out Darius Henderson who scored with a glancing header.

A few minutes later Nicky Forster got injured. It obviously wasn't too bad as when there was a chance for him to run onto a ball in injury time he got there first and forced a save from the keeper - however, he didn't come out for the second half and was replaced by Anthony Rougier. Inbetween the injury and the save Reading had scored a second. This time it was a Sammy Igoe cross from the right which was knocked out to the edge of the area by a defender under pressure from Henderson. The ball fell nicely to Phil Parkinson in acres of space, and he easily slotted the ball home just inside the post.

For only the second or third time ever, I went into the concourse at half-time, and then for the first time ever at the MadStad I changed ends for the second half. It seemed sensible given that all the action was at the goal defended by Luton. Whilst I was looking for somewhere to sit I noticed this dreadful wailing noise. Eventually I realised that it was a woman singing, although I have no idea who or why. Not a big shame that I missed most of the performance, either.

Luton flattered to deceive by actually having a decent chance at the start of the half. A looping header came back off the post with Phil Whitehead beaten - it rebounded to one of their players a couple of yards out but he could only direct his shot wide. We made them pay immediately. Henderson put in a strong run down the left and crossed to the centre where the unmarked Alex Smith had the simple task of prodding the ball into an effectively open net. Had Smith missed the ball we had another unmarked player in the vicinity as well, after Henderson had managed to attract several defenders to him.

It looked for a while after that as if we would open out and really put on a show. Reading streamed forward but failed to take a couple of good chances, before settling for dominance in midfield. Smith had another good jinking run, showing his ability to go past players at will, before being replaced by Nathan Tyson. To continue the youth theme, Joe Gamble replaced Phil Parkinson.

Luton managed two more chances in the game, one from a free-kick that took a double deflection. The second deflection took it back into Whitehead's path, although I don't think it was going in after the first one anyway. Towards the end they also managed to force a fine diving save from Whitehead. However, that was after we had scored our fourth goal, this time Rougier crossing from the left for Henderson to tap in.

Tyson showed his pace on a few occasions and the last action of the match saw him sprawling in the penalty area after trying to sprint between two defenders. He had the beating of them and it may be that one of them just nudged him but we didn't get the decision.

Overall, it was a pretty good display and I was particularly impressed with Alex Smith.

Match notes:

Compared to the Huddersfield game, Sammy Igoe replaced the injured Andy Hughes, Nicky Shorey came in for Matt Robinson, and Darius Henderson started in place of Anthony Rougier. Rougier dropped to the bench, whilst Joe Gamble and Nathan Tyson came in to start as substitutes.

It was Nicky Shorey's debut for the Reading first team, and the game also saw the first Reading goals for both Darius Henderson and Alex Smith. It was also Henderson's first ever full 90 minutes for Reading (he had started three games previously, but was substituted in each of them).

Match preview:

Last season, Reading lost in the Worthington Cup first round to Leyton Orient. Alan Pardew did not pick his strongest side in either game, and clearly was not terribly interested in the competition. And that was still no excuse for losing to such poor opposition.

Before this season started, Pardew said that he would pay more attention to cup competitions, and has also been quoted as looking for a glamour tie in later rounds. However, I wonder if he is rethinking that now with already a few players out with minor injuries. I think he might even start with Darius Henderson and Anthony Rougier up front, to make sure that Nicky Forster is fit for Saturday.

The fact that Chris Casper and Barry Hunter played in Monday's reserve match suggests that the centre-backs will be two of the three Adrians, but it would seem likely that Adi Viveash will get a gamer. Equally, Nicky Shorey did not play for the reserves and so may replace Matthew Robinson. Other changes might be to bring in Joe Gamble in midfield or Jamie Ashdown in goal.

In the summer, it looked as though Luton might be lining up with Lee Hodges in their attack, but he has instead decided to move to Plymouth Argyle. The diving cheat Mark Stein has left, and unfortunately so has their goalkeeper who was unable to deal with crosses (although the good news is that he has joined a Division 2 side). Luton have brought in a lot of new players and are struggling to play as a team at the moment, but they have won both of their Division 3 games so far and are top of the table.

The Luton manager, Joe Kinnear, had a touchline ban at the start of the season, but that suspension is now over. He has said that he saw more of the game from the stands and might stay there, so it will be interesting to see if Martin Allen tries to wind him up should he change his mind.

Ticket information from the official Reading site:

Tickets went on sale to season ticket holders on Monday, 30th July, and on general sale from Monday, 6th August. Prices are as follows:

Upper West Stand:
Adults: £16 in advance, £18 on matchday
Concessions: £10 in advance, £12 on matchday

Other stands:
Adults: £11 in advance, £13 on matchday
Concessions: £6 in advance, £8 on matchday
Young Royals: £5 in advance, £8 on matchday

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