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2001/02 Reports

Match facts:

Reading goals: Nicky Forster (penalty, 38 minutes), Andy Hughes (48 minutes), Nicky Forster (69 minutes)
Assists: Andy Hughes (cross that was handled), Sammy Igoe, Graeme Murty
Opposition goals: None
Half-time: Reading 1 Colchester United 0
Gamebreaker: Reading's second goal
Attendance: 12,743
Weather: Overcast but mostly dry (bucketed it down before the game, though)
Referee: Paul Taylor (Cheshunt)

Reading line-up: 31 Ben Roberts; 2 Graeme Murty, 8 Adie Williams, 23 John Mackie, 28 Nicky Shorey; 14 Sammy Igoe, 11 Andy Hughes, 16 Phil Parkinson (4 Keith Jones, 72 minutes), 29 John Salako; 10 Nicky Forster (24 Darius Henderson, 74 minutes), 7 Anthony Rougier (12 Jamie Cureton, 60 minutes)
Subs not used: 21 Jamie Ashdown, 19 Joe Gamble
Reading yellow cards: Phil Parkinson (foul, 43 minutes), John Salako (dissent, 90 minutes)
Reading red cards: None

Match report:

Although much has been made of Colchester's supposed Indian sign over us, I find it a bit difficult to accept. Quite apart from the fact that we beat them in the LDV Vans Trophy earlier this season, there have been other wins over them in the recent past. In any event, the result of this game probably kills off their reputation.

As one of the Division's highest scoring teams, I was hoping that Colchester would approach this game with something other than a 0-0 draw in mind. This proved to be the case, as in the early stages they played some decent passing football and clearly had attackers on the field. They did pull everyone back to defend against set-pieces but that's fairly normal for any away side.

Reading carried on where we left off on Tuesday with a performance that included a lot of chasing down in midfield, plus quick breaks from not only Nicky Forster and Anthony Rougier, but also Andy Hughes. It's almost as if the move to the centre of midfield has convinced Hughes that he can outpace defences, and he did so down both wings in this game.

Early on, Forster had a fierce shot that went just high or wide (all I could tell from my angle was that it missed!) whilst the Colchester keeper had to make a good save from the same player a few minutes later. Ben Roberts was called into action a few times, and although he didn't always take the ball cleanly first time, he dealt comfortably with everything thrown at him.

It looked as if Reading were going to fail to find a first half breakthrough, despite reasonable pressure and some near misses. Then a strong run down the left by Hughes ten minutes before half-time led to our first goal. His cross hit a Colchester player on the arm and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. The question is whether the defender was deliberately stopping the cross with his hand, or whether his arm was just moving because of his running motion. My initial reaction was that it was harsh decision but having seen television pictures as well I think the ref was probably right.

Surprisingly John Salako stepped up to take the kick, and the goalkeeper made a save. Forster had an easy chance with the rebound but screwed the ball enormously wide. Even more surprisingly, the linesman signalled that the keeper had left his line early and so the kick should be retaken. Well, the goalkeeper certainly was off the line when the ball was hit but then aren't they all?

Whilst the ref was talking to the linesman a small fight had almost broken out near the penalty spot as Rougier tried to get the ball for the retake. Phil Parkinson stepped in to keep order, and the end result was that Forster had the chance to slot the ball home, something he did with ease by sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

After the break, Reading came out firing on all cylinders and looking for a quick finish to the game. Adie Williams hit the post with a header from a set-piece before we managed to extend the lead. Andy Hughes took the ball down the right and from the byline put over a cross. It was far too close to the keeper to be a good cross, but as it turned out was heading into the net before the keeper helped it over the line. Cue "dead ant" celebration from Hughes.

Of course, Rougier has not scored for a long time, and he was clearly looking to end that run in this game. He made several good runs into the box, but when he did shoot it always seemed to be blocked by a defender. I thought he was looking a bit tired, particularly when one of our quick breaks saw him standing near the bench, rather than adding a man to the attack, and he was substituted by Jamie Cureton soon afterwards. Cureton's first touch was a shot that went just over the bar.

The third goal came 20 minutes from the end - this time Graeme Murty played Forster behind the defence. His shot was from a very acute angle and the goalkeeper let it go through his body. Probably not a game that the visiting keeper will want to remember.

After that the game petered out - Reading made two more substitutions and both Jamie Cureton and Darius Henderson had shots that just missed, but the main interest was in whether we could keep a seventh clean sheet. This we did without any real scares, setting a new club record for wins whilst not conceding in the process.

Match notes:

Before the match, John Salako was presented to the crowd with the announcement that he had now signed a permanent deal with us.

Compared to the Wigan Athletic game, Phil Parkinson came in for Keith Jones who in turn replaced Matt Robinson on the bench.

Phil Parkinson's booking was his tenth of the season, and means he will miss two games from 9th February. That means Notts County at home (for which Keith Jones is also suspended) and Brighton & Hove Albion away.

Nicky Forster became the the third Reading player to score a penalty this season (after Martin Butler and Jamie Cureton at home to Brentford and Port Vale respectively).

The result was our seventh in a row whilst keeping a clean sheet which does now break the club record. In terms of minutes without a goal, we are now up to 653.

Match preview:

None.

Ticket information:

There is a special offer relating to tickets for this game. If you buy a ticket for the Blackpool game (19th January), this game and the game against Notts County (9th February) AT THE SAME TIME, then you get a free ticket for the top-of-the-table clash with Stoke City on 23rd February.

The prices and other ticket details are the same as for standard home games, and are available here.

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