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2001/02 Reports

Match facts:

Reading goals: Jamie Cureton (but really it was an own goal) (4 minutes), Andy Hughes (80 minutes)
Assists: John Salako (none for first goal)
Opposition goals: After 48 and 70 minutes
Half-time: Reading 1 Bournemouth 0
Gamebreaker: Final whistle
Attendance: 13,538
Weather: Dry, cool
Referee: Richard Beeby (Northampton)

Reading line-up: 1 Phil Whitehead; 2 Graeme Murty, 23 John Mackie, 5 Adi Viveash (7 Anthony Rouger, 81 minutes), 28 Nicky Shorey; 14 Sammy Igoe, 11 Andy Hughes, 16 Phil Parkinson (15 James Harper, 68 minutes), 29 John Salako; 10 Nicky Forster (24 Darius Henderson, half-time), 12 Jamie Cureton
Subs not used: 21 Jamie Ashdown, 8 Adie Williams
Reading yellow cards: None
Reading red cards: None

Match report:

To follow

Match notes:

Compared to the Cambridge game, Sammy Igoe replaced Anthony Rougier in the starting line-up (together with a positional change for Jamie Cureton), whilst Adie Williams was on the bench instead of Leo Roget.

The attendance was the highest ever at Madejski Stadium for a midweek (that's excluding Friday) evening League game, beating the 11,707 for Bristol Rovers on 22/3/2000. There have however been larger crowds for midweek Cup and friendly games, and for one Friday evening League match.

For the second game in succession, Reading hit the woodwork twice whilst the opposition missed a late penalty. The main difference was that the penalty missed the goal rather than being saved by Phil Whitehead. Wade Elliott now comfortably owns the distinction of having taken the worst penalty ever at Madejski Stadium. At most grounds, it would have found the street outside.

The result ends Reading's run of six straight home wins.

Match preview:

Last season, the home game against Bournemouth was meaningless for us and crucial for them. And they still couldn't win - plenty of shouts of "Forster in the last minute" will remind them of that. At the time we told their fans that they were just a one-player team and they didn't believe us, but now that Defoe has returned to West Ham the truth has become clear. This season the match is far from meaningless for Reading but still crucial for Bournemouth, currently in the relegation zone.

Reading's line-up will surely change from that which started the Cambridge United away game. I expect Sammy Igoe to return to wide on the right and I'd like to see a Jamie Cureton and Nicky Forster partnership up-front. However, Forster has been described as a slight doubt. Also supposedly doubtful is Phil Parkinson in midfield, who would presumably be replaced by James Harper. After Harper's fine performance as a sub on Saturday, he may get a starting nod over Andy Hughes anyway.

Reading have won the last six games at home, conceding only one goal in the process, whilst Bournemouth have managed only one win in their last 18 League games, and haven't won away since 3rd November. They've sold very few advance tickets for their closest game of the season, and are currently plunging towards their rightful home of Division 3. This should be a comfortable win, but then again so should Saturday's game. Let's also not forget that we somehow managed to lose the away fixture in Dorchester, with probably our worst performance of the season.

Ticket information:

Prices and details are the same as for standard home games, and are available here.

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