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2001/02 Reports

Match facts:

Reading goals: Matt Birnie (55 minutes), Joey Alcott (60 minutes), Joe Gamble (90 minutes)
Assists: ?, Darius Henderson (2)
Opposition goals: After 5, 40 and 89 minutes
Half-time: Reading 0 Millwall 2
Gamebreaker:
Attendance: Approximately 60 including Steve Wood, Tommy Langley, Martin Allen (with his two sons)
Weather: First half monsoon followed by second half sunny intervals
Referee: J Singh
Linesmen: M Downey and C Jones

Reading line-up: 1. Simon Cox, 2. Steven Laidler (12. Ryan Maxwell, 79 minutes), 3. Declan O'Hara, 4. Keith Jones, 5. John Mackie (captain), 6. Ricky Allaway, 7. Matt Birnie, 8. Joe Gamble, 9. Darius Henderson, 10. Joey Alcott, 11. Scott Williams (14. Jason Awbery)
Subs not used: 15. Alex Stanley, 16. Jamie Ashdown
Reading yellow cards: Declan O'Hara (foul, 21 minutes), Joe Gamble, John Mackie (66 minutes), Ryan Maxwell (87 minutes)
Reading red cards: None

Match report:

From a correspondent:

Reading won the toss and Millwall kicked off attacking the A4 end. After a fairly even few minutes Millwall took the lead after five minutes when Hicks headed in the ball that had been chipped into the penalty area. Reading who were playing three at the back, then proceeded to have the better of the play against a Millwall team that on paper were far more experienced. After nine minutes Darius Henderson put a free kick over the bar but despite creating several openings Reading were failing to convert their chances.

After 21 minutes Declan O'Hara was booked for bringing down Savarese, then five minutes later Odunsi was booked for a tackle from behind.After 35 minutes Simon Cox made a good save following a free kick. This was followed by Joe Gamble chipping onto the top of the Millwall net. After 36 minutes Reading were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Millwall penalty area - Gamble took and put the ball around the wall into the net but this was disallowed as the referee had not lined up the Millwall line at ten yards. The resultant retaken free kick was hammered into the wall by Henderson and cleared by the Millwall defence.On 40 minutes Millwall doubled their lead when Constantine bundled the ball into the net after Cox had blocked a shot on the line.

The referee ended the first half with a bizarre decision and continued in this vein for the rest of the game. Hearn and Gamble were both booked in first half injury time after Hearn had tried to put his boot in Gamble's ear after an innocuous challenge

Half Time: Reading 0 Millwall 2

Kevin Dillon obviously shook his side up at half-time as Reading came out and took the game to Millwall. After 48 minutes Henderson headed narrowly past the post and on 55 minutes Reading pulled a goal back. Matt Birnie controlled the ball on the edge of the penalty area and coolly shot past the goalkeeper and into the net. Millwall immediately substituted Dunne with Sweeney. Reading continued to go forward and on the hour a good run by Henderson allowed him to shoot, his shot was parried by Gueret into the path of Joey Alcott who placed the ball into the net. 2 - 2.

After 66 minutes Mackie was booked after being fouled by Constantine (another strange refereeing decision). Simon Cox made a good save on 75 minutes although two Millwall forwards were offside. Scott Williams came off to be replaced by Jason Awbery and Millwall replaced Hicks with Braniss. After 79 minutes Steve Laidler came off to be replaced by Ryan Maxwell. On 80 minutes Alcott passed to Henderson who put the ball past the post. The referee continued his booking spree on 87 minutes by taking the names of Maxwell and Constantine for a bit of shirt pulling.On 89 minutes Millwall regained the lead. The ball was lofted into the penalty area, hit the Reading crossbar and was bundled into the net by Savarese.

Reading however were not to be outdone and in the last minute a Henderson header across the face of the Millwall goal was met by Gamble to earn Reading a well deserved point. This was a very enjoyable afternoon's entertainment for the 60 or so spectators and a mainly young Reading side put up a very good display.

Match notes:

None.

Match preview:

None.

Ticket information:

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