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2003/04 Reports

Match facts:

Reading goals: Nicky Forster (16 minutes), Steve Sidwell (83 minutes), Nicky Forster (87 minutes)
Assists: Scott Murray, Andy Hughes (2)
Opposition goal: After 68 minutes
Half-time: Boston United 0 Reading 1
Gamebreaker: Reading's third goal
Attendance: 2,055
Weather: Warm, dry
Referee: Alan Butler (Sutton-in-Ashfield)

Reading line-up: 1 Marcus Hahnemann; 25 Ricky Newman, 8 Adie Williams, 5 Steve Brown, 3 Nicky Shorey; 7 Scott Murray, 15 James Harper, 14 Steve Sidwell, 11 Andy Hughes; 9 Shaun Goater (17 John Salako, 71 minutes), 10 Nicky Forster
Subs not used: 21 Jamie Ashdown, 4 Kevin Watson, 16 Martin Butler, 29 Andre Fashanu
Starting formation:

Reading yellow cards: None
Reading red cards: None

Match report:

Unlike other websites, I don't write reports based on radio commentary and try to pretend that I was at the game. Therefore no match report.

Match notes:

Compared to the Ipswich Town League match, Ricky Newman replaced the injured Graeme Murty whilst Andre Fashanu was on the bench instead of John Mackie. It was Fashanu's first time in the 16 but he did not get on the pitch to play.

Match preview:

It's difficult to know how we will treat this game. Although Alan Pardew has said he will play his strongest team, he has also given Andre Fashanu a shirt number and added him to the travelling party. Last season in the League Cup, we clearly made no serious attempt to progress, whilst in previous seasons first round wins have only really occurred when the opposition was very poor. Personally, I think that we will treat the competition with contempt this season as well, but it will at least allow Nathan Tyson to use up the last game of his suspension hanging over from the play-offs.

Boston United are a team that we have not played before and who had an awkward season last year after starting with a points penalty. I think they're probably considerably stronger than last season's league position indicated and likely to provide a test for a half-hearted Reading side. Their ground used to be considered as one of the best outside the League, but everyone else has moved on since then, and those travelling will probably just look on it as a dump.

If Boston score first, they probably win. Otherwise, it could be a bore-draw ending in a penalty shootout.

The draw for the third round takes place at 5.30pm this Saturday, and is live on the Sky Sports Soccer Saturday programme. It will include the 12 Premiership clubs not playing in Europe this season, as well as the 36 winners of Round 1 ties.

Ticket information:

This match is pay-on-the-day with no tickets available in advance. Reading fans are in the Town End terrace, which has a capacity of 1,820. Prices are as follows:
Adults - £12.50
Concessions - £9
Under-16s - £6

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