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2001/02 Reports

Match facts:

Reading goals: None
Assists: None
Opposition goal: After 71 minutes
Half-time: Bournemouth 0 Reading 0
Gamebreaker: Bournemouth's goal
Attendance: 3,691
Referee: Paul Danson (Leicester)

Reading line-up: Phil Whitehead; Graeme Murty, Adie Williams, Adrian Whitbread, Matt Robinson; Sammy Igoe (Neil Smith, 72 minutes), James Harper, Keith Jones (Anthony Rougier, 77 minutes); Nicky Forster, Martin Butler, Darius Henderson (Jamie Cureton, 77 minutes)
Subs not used: Jamie Ashdown, John Mackie
Reading yellow cards: Matthew Robinson (foul, 56 minutes)
Reading red cards: None

Match report:

I'd never previously been to Dorchester, except to pass through on a train, so this was an ideal opportunity to look at the town. I've recently finished reading "Tess of the d'Urbevilles" so I felt in the right mood to visit Hardy country. However, apart from looking at the famous statue of Thomas Hardy I never really got to see anything else that I knew was relevant to the tales of Wessex. Apart from the marvellous scenery, that is. Oh, yes, and the Kings Arms which is where the Mayor of Casterbridge is first observed by the wife he sold 20 years previously.

Instead it was the Roman remains that grabbed my attention. I walked a mile or so out of town to see the aqueduct - I'm not even certain that I really ever found it as I got sidetracked by the earthworks of the Roman-built Poundbury Camp nearby. I then walked around the top of the surviving Roman wall although this is really only visible as a grass mound. The highlight of the visit was to see the foundations and floors of the Roman Town House, with patterned mosaic floors still visible 1600 years after the house fell empty.

Next to the Dinosaur Museum. By the time I got there it was closed for the day, but then I hadn't really planned on spending any money to go in anyway. I did see a wonderful life-size model of a stegosaurus that is outside the building, though. A few minutes later I saw someone walking through the town wearing a Reading tracksuit (this is still over two hours before kick-off). As he got closer I realised it was Martin Allen, who incidentally would not know me from Adam, apart from the fact that I was wearing clothes and am still alive. "Hello, Martin", I said, "are you seeing the sights too?" He replied, "What are you doing here?" Scholars are going to have to debate the meaning of those words for some time, because I certainly haven't a clue what he meant. "I just got here early", I said, lamely.

I hadn't known about any of the previously mentioned Roman artefacts before getting to the town, but everyone has heard of the Dorchester amphitheatre (well, everyone should have heard of it, anyway). Conveniently this is on the road to the ground so I went to see it on my way to the game. What I hadn't realised is that the amphitheatre was remodelled on the site of a neolithic henge, and that it was rebuilt again during the Civil War by Parliamentary troops to guard the road to Weymouth. Because of that history, it's not as well preserved as the ones at Caerleon or Silchester (and obviously nowhere near the standards of Pompeii) but it's still impressive.

My final sightseeing visit should have been to Maiden Castle (an Iron Age hill-fort, although the site was first used as a camp in the neolithic period), somewhere that I have always wanted to go to. Unfortunately I had no idea that it was only a mile and a half from Dorchester Town's ground and so had not left enough time. Instead I carried on and had to suffer through 90 minutes of absolute rubbish from two sets of players who showed not enough ability to play in Dorchester Town's next Doc Martens League match.

Match notes:

It was the first game of the season where Alex Smith played no part. On that basis alone, he should make the starting eleven for the next match.

Match preview:

After such a convincing win over the very poor opposition of Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday, we now take on an even worse side in Bournemouth. Last season, Bournemouth were essentially a one-man side and he has now left. They have therefore headed for their more appropriate surroundings of a relegation place and a non-league ground. Being serious, Bournemouth probably had five decent players last season, of whom two left and another one is injured for our visit, so there really is no threat at all.

The non-league ground belongs to Dorchester Town and is fairly new, having been built adjacent to the site of their old ground about ten years ago (with a name change from The Avenue Ground to The Avenue Stadium in the process). Apart from those who went to the friendly in July, it will be a new venue for most Reading fans. Apparently getting in and out of the town has been a problem for other Bournemouth games this season, so make sure to leave plenty of time.

On the pitch, Reading may well name the same starting line-up as on Saturday. The only likely change might be a switch back to a 4-4-2 formation in which case presumably Alex Smith would replace one of the three forwards. Adie Williams needs to be a little careful, as he is only one booking away from a suspension with Adi Viveash eyeing his place in the side covetously. Keith Jones came in on Saturday to play his best game yet for the club, so will surely start.

Last Tuesday, Bournemouth lost 6-0 away to Peterborough United. That shows us the sort of result that can happen if a team continues to press after going two goals up. In our previous away victories we have however tended to be cautious once going ahead, and that is what I expect to see in this game.

Ticket information:

Bournemouth are currently rebuilding their ground on the site of Dean Court. They have obtained permission to use The Avenue Stadium of Dorchester Town for fixtures up to 4th November, 2001, and initially stated that they intended to use that ground for the first six to eight weeks of the season. Our match is scheduled for the ninth week of the season but unsurprisingly the new stadium is not ready. Both Bournemouth and the Dorset Police tried to get the game switched to a later date, but the Football League have refused permission (due to congestion caused by the earlier finish to this season) so it will have to go ahead at Dorchester.

The capacity at Dorchester is 5,009, with room for 1,229 away fans on a terrace (although Reading have stated that they have received roughly 1,100 tickets). Tickets went on sale to season ticket holders only from Wednesday 12th September at 9am, sold on the basis of one ticket per season ticket holder, and are now on general sale (since Wednesday 19th September at 9am). There were about 500 left for general sale.

Tickets can be bought in person at the ticket office or by telephoning 0118 968 1000. Prices are:
Adults - £12.00
Under-18s and over-65s - £5.00

All Bournemouth games played at Dorchester will be all-ticket for all fans.

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