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2002/03 Reports

Match facts:

Reading goal: Nicky Forster (39 minutes)
Assist: Andy Hughes
Opposition goals: None
Half-time: Crystal Palace 0 Reading 1
Gamebreaker: Final whistle
Attendance: 15,712
Weather: Cool, dry
Referee: David Elleray (Harrow)

Reading line-up: 31 Marcus Hahnemann; 2 Graeme Murty, 8 Adie Williams, 29 Matthew Upson, 3 Nicky Shorey; 7 Anthony Rougier, 4 Kevin Watson (25 Ricky Newman, 81 minutes), 11 Andy Hughes (9 Martin Butler, 88 minutes), 15 James Harper, 17 John Salako; 10 Nicky Forster
Subs not used: 21 Jamie Ashdown, 6 John Mackie, 12 Jamie Cureton
Approximate starting formation:

Reading yellow cards: Matthew Upson (good hard challenge, 30 minutes), Anthony Rougier (foul, 33 minutes)
Reading red cards: None

Match report:

To follow

Match notes:

Compared to the Watford game, Nicky Forster and Anthony Rougier replaced Martin Butler and Jamie Cureton, who moved to the bench. This also meant a change of formation back to 4-5-1. Ricky Newman returned from suspension to sit on the bench, meaning that Nathan Tyson and Sammy Igoe dropped out of the named 16 altogether.

Nicky Forster's goal was his sixth of the season, making him now equal top scorer with Jamie Cureton.

The result was our fifth consecutive win whilst keeping a clean sheet. The last goal conceded was away to Preston North End on 26/10/2002. Since then we have gone 518 minutes without conceding a goal, although still a long way short of the club record of 1103 minutes, of course.

Including last season's loan spell, Marcus Hahnemann has now played 20 League games for Reading, conceding just nine goals (and those nine include one wicked deflection plus two mishit shots). He also has 13 clean sheets in those 20 games.

Match preview:

None.

Ticket information:

Crystal Palace have built one new stand since Reading's last visit there, but the normal away section is still in part of one of the side stands, holding over 2,000 seats. However, for certain games they give away fans more of the stand or even all of it, making up to 7,000 seats available. We apparently have up to 3,000 seats for this game. Tickets go on sale to season ticket holders from Monday, 11th November (maximum of two per season ticket), to STAR members from Monday, 18th November (one per member) and on general sale from Tuesday, 19th November. Prices are as follows:
Adults - £20
Over-65s - £12
Under-16s - £12

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