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2001/02 Reports

Match facts:

Reading goals: Nathan Tyson (15 minutes), Nathan Tyson (penalty, 25 minutes), Andre Fashanu (60 minutes), Sammy Igoe (70 minutes)
Assists: Nathan Tyson, Nicky Shorey, Adam Campion (none for first goal as it came from a bad backpass)
Opposition goals: None
Half-time: Reading 2 Norwich City 0
Gamebreaker:
Attendance:

Reading line-up: Jamie Ashdown; Chris Casper, Barry Hunter, Adi Viveash (Adam Lockwood), Nicky Shorey; Sammy Igoe, Keith Jones, Joe Gamble (Steve Laidler), Adam Campion; Andre Fashanu (Scott Williams), Nathan Tyson
Sub not used: Simon Cox
Reading yellow cards:
Reading red cards: None

Match report:

Report from The Scribe:

This game was played in sunshine, with the steam trains running up and down the railway line in the distance, making it a very pleasant afternoon.

Although the first 15 minutes or so of the game were a bit scrappy, overall Reading played remarkably well and totally dominated the game. The first goal came after a poor backpass to the Norwich goalkeeper. Nathan Tyson put the keeper under pressure and his attempted clearance from the edge of the six-yard box was blocked by Tyson and flew into the goal. The pressure exerted by the Reading players was clear from the fact that we had two others in close attendance.

After that goal, Reading were knifing through the Norwich defence, with plenty of good runs from midfield as well as good passing into attacking positions. Tyson was playing well, although some of our moves ended when Andre Fashanu was unable to get on to the end of our crosses. Fashanu also managed to miss an open goal from six yards out, but he was our youngest and least experienced player.

The second goal came after Tyson was fouled in the penalty area whilst attempting to run through the defence. He took the penalty himself and fired a strong shot into the right hand corner of the net. Unfortunately there was some encroachment and the penalty had to be retaken, but Tyson put it into the same place to double our lead.

Early on in the second half, one of the linesman was injured and was replaced by Richard Wickson, who is involved with our Academy. This didn't give us any advantage though - for a start he was fair, and secondly he was patrolling the half we were defending and therefore had very little to do.

A flowing passing move going from one flank to the other helped to bring about our third goal. Nicky Shorey put over a volleyed cross from the left which Fashanu put into the net. Soon after, Scott Williams replaced Fashanu. Shorey nearly scored himself when he had a free-kick just tipped away from the goal by the Norwich keeper, before Sammy Igoe scored an excellent goal, flicking a volley into the far corner after Adam Campion had put over a cross-shot.

We made a double substitution, and then Norwich had their only real chance of the whole game when a lob came back off the bottom of the bar. Not to be outdone, we also hit the crossbar soon afterwards with another Shorey free-kick from the edge of the area.

It's difficult to choose a man-of-the-match because the whole Reading team played well, but I would probably have to go for Adam Campion.

The contrast between this game and the League Cup final at Norwich at the end of last season was enormous - according to a Norwich scout present this is at least partly due to them going backwards and having lost some of their better youngsters. He also claimed that he had tried to recommend Andre Fashanu to Norwich some time ago.

Match notes:

Keith Jones made his return from injury in this game.

Match preview:

This game will take place at Didcot Town's ground, Loop Meadow Stadium.

Directions from the official Didcot Town site:
By Rail - A footpath runs from Didcot Parkway station direct to the ground.
By Road - From A34 take A4136 towards Didcot. After 2 miles at first roundabout take first exit, at next roundabout take third exit, then straight across next two roundabouts, at next take second exit into Avon Way. Follow over Tyne Avenue, ground is on the left.

Ticket information:

None.

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