| Competition | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
| Nationwide League Division 2 | Monday, 1st April | Northampton Town | Home | Drew 0-0 |
Match facts:
Reading goals: None
Assists: None
Opposition goals: None
Half-time: Reading 0 Northampton Town 0
Gamebreaker: Final whistle
Attendance: 16,495
Weather: Sunny spells, dry
Referee: Bill
Jordan (Tring)
Reading line-up: 1 Phil Whitehead;
7 Graeme Murty, 5 Adi Viveash, 23 John Mackie, 28 Nicky Shorey;
11 Andy Hughes (15 James Harper, 87 minutes), 6 Kevin Watson, 16
Phil Parkinson, 29 John Salako (7 Anthony Rougier, 71 minutes);
10 Nicky Forster (24 Darius Henderson, 80 minutes), 12 Jamie
Cureton
Subs not used: 30 Frank Talia, 8 Adie Williams
Reading yellow cards: Phil Parkinson (foul, 23 minutes), Jamie
Cureton (deliberate handball, 39 minutes)
Reading red cards: None
Match report:
To follow
Match notes:
Compared to the Bristol City game, Adi Viveash replaced Adie Williams, whilst Darius Henderson returned to the bench instead of the injured Michael Branch.
This was Reading's fourth home draw on the trot and the sixth in seven games. We've lost only one out of the last 22 games, but drawn ten of them.
Match preview:
All these drawn games have seriously eroded our lead at the top of the table to the extent that by kick-off of this match we may well no longer be on top (due to early kick-offs in other games). Fortunately four wins will still bring us the title, and a win is certainly what is needed in this game.
Northampton are still fighting for points at the wrong end of the table, but they have just gained a little daylight over the bottom four. They typically play 4-4-2 with four attack-minded midfielders (or at least, none of whom are there just to spoil). It's difficult to see how they can change their tactics for this game, and so we might be fortunate enough to see another entertaining game where both sides are trying to win. Northampton's exceptional run of taking points off other sides near the top of the table back in January is part of the reason why we have remained first for so long, and I think that they will be a little dangerous. It may even be that playing for a win in those games against sides who underestimated them is how they managed so many surprise results.
We may well see changes to the Reading line-up. Andy Hughes went off injured on Saturday, whilst Phil Parkinson also apparently picked up a knock. Kevin Watson played for 90 minutes, but that doesn't mean he will be ready to do so again within 48 hours. Michael Branch also went off with a pulled hamstring and it's quite possible that we won't see him either. On the other hand, there were some suggestions that Sammy Igoe might be available to play. Add to that the disappointing recent form of Jamie Cureton and there are decisions for Alan Pardew to make.
Personally, I'd start with Watson and James Harper in the centre of midfield, and who plays on the right side of midfield would depend on who was available (but not Cureton!). Anthony Rougier showed a bit more spark on Saturday, but I'd still keep him on the bench and start with Cureton.
Another good performance on Saturday was from number 13. Bristol City fans have commented that we were easily the largest and loudest following they had seen this season, and it would be nice to think that we can keep that going for a home game which will no doubt attract another large crowd.
Ticket information:
Prices and details are the same as for standard home games, and are available here.
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