| Competition | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
| LDV Vans Trophy 2nd round | Tuesday, 18th January | Barnet | Away | Won 2-1 |
| (with a golden goal during extra time) | ||||
Match facts:
Reading goals:
Assists:
Opposition goals:
Half-time:
90 minutes:
Gamebreaker:
Attendance:
Weather:
Referee: Mick
Fletcher (Warley)
Reading line-up:
Subs not used:
Starting formation:
Reading yellow cards:
Reading red cards:
Match report:
Report by The Scribe:
3pm on a damp, cold Tuesday and a business meeting is cancelled. Bugger, that means there is time to go to Underhill, along with 100 other lost Reading souls to see the next instalment of the Mickey Mouse Cup. Despite rumours that the one or two youngsters were to be given a chance, we fielded the same old faces, injury excepted. Barnet seemed to be playing their strongest line up, so we were able to compare teams only a few league places apart.
First half we played down the slope and had the better of the game. Most of our better play was down the right, with some neat one-touch passing. This did have a downside - Andy Bernal was frequently stuck with two forwards to contend with. Early on we hit a post before on 22 minutes a good move ended with Nicholls turning the defence and setting up Caskey to slot in from the angle of the six yard box.
So, half time coffee with the comfort of a one goal lead. It was all looking rosy, if you overlooked Barnet's sharpness on the break and the fact that we had wasted possession because we did not adapt to the slope, especially from dead ball situations.
From the restart it was obvious that home advantage meant knowing how to play downhill. After a number of good attacks Warren Hackett equalised on 52 minutes from close range. They then held the upper hand for the rest of the half and wasted three good chances in the last five minutes. Full time and Parky made the most telling contribution of the night - he won the toss and we started extra time down the slope! We attacked from the start and from a good low cross by Gurney, Scott scored from 8 yards.
So we were through on the golden goal. Despite my reservations it was an open game played in good spirit between two even sides. The old problem up front was still there, we should have scored more, but so should Barnet.
Finally, I can't remember a single yellow card!
Report by Hunty:
We started off very well (downhill). Nicholls unlucky to hit the post, then some good work by Gurney (?) set up Caskey for a good finish - 1-0. We start pushing forward - not much happening though - second half easy goal given away again 1-1 then Barnet looked the more likely to score again - defence fairly solid though! Forster unlucky with double effort with a few minutes left. Golden Goal (prefer golden gamble of £600 if possible!) Scott finished well from Gurney cross we are thru!!!
Team Performance
Howie - very solid, some good saves
Bernal - did well against Currie the winger
Hunter - dodgy in places again
Primus - usual solid self
Gurney - excellent going forward - dodgy defending in places
Evers - looked good in places - crap in others!!
Caskey - scored, passed well & the loudest (high pitched) Reading player you could hear organising things throughout- Star Man!!
Smith - Run around lots without doing much - Bad Injury???
Parkinson - Still does not look right
Scott - crap as recent games then scores with a cool finish - what a git!!
Nicholls - looked good first half then faded
SUBS
Sarr for Smith - did nothing (apart from acrobatic goal in pre match warm up)
Murty for Evers - not involved much - any chance he picks up slight knock and is out for months??
Forster for Nicholls - looked lively, unlucky not to score!!
Match notes:
Match preview:
None.
Ticket information:
None.
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