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2002/03 Reports

Match facts:

Reading goals: Nicky Forster (34 minutes), Nicky Forster (penalty, 39 minutes)
Assists: None for first goal, Nicky Forster (fouled for penalty)
Opposition goal: After 85 minutes
Half-time: Reading 2 Luton Town 0
Gamebreaker: Final whistle
Attendance: About 250 (including Alan Pardew, Nicky Hammond, Joe Kinnear, Mick Harford and Mitchell Thomas)
Referee: K Woolmer
Linesmen: G Barter, S Creighton
Weather: Hot, dry, mostly sunny

Reading line-up: 1 Marcus Hahnemann, 2 Steve Laidler, 6 Alex Stanley, 5 Adi Viveash, 3 Alex Smith; 7 Anthony Rougier (14 Steve Warren, 88 minutes), 8 James Harper, 4 Phil Parkinson, 11 Nathan Tyson; 10 Nicky Forster (12 Andre Fashanu, 55 minutes), 9 Darius Henderson (16 Ahmet Rifat, 81 minutes)
Subs not used: Jamie Young, 15 Chris Davies
Reading yellow cards: None
Reading red cards: None

Match report:

This was the first home game of the season, and therefore the first one to be played at Madejski Stadium since the move from the home of AFC Newbury. Obviously, it's the school holidays and the weather was good, but it does appear that these matches can expect to be watched by considerably more people than has previously been the case.

Today's sizable crowd, based only in the Lower West Stand, saw Marcus Hahnemann make his first appearance since signing last week, as well as the continued comeback from illness of Nicky Forster. With a fairly strong line-up out, I was hoping to see a few players today making a bid for the first team, and consequently a good performance against LutonTown. That wasn't really what happened, as the visitors had decent attacks throughout the game.

Reading however had the first two chances, with Forster shooting wide twice. The first came after Rougier beat the defender down the left wing in the opening moments, but Forster didn't get hold of the shot properly and it went well wide. A few minutes later, James Harper made a good driving run and threaded a pass for Forster through the defence. This time he couldn't get the right contact on the ball and it was another goal-kick.

Over the next 20 minutes or so, the Reading goal was seriously under threat. However, as was the case when Hahnemann played for the first team last season, all the shots seemed to go wide. Ten minutes before half-time, we made them pay for this when Forster hooked the ball over the keeper and into the net. It was a messy goal, caused by Forster jumpiong with the goalkeeper and forcing him to spill a cross.

Luton had time to force a diving save from Hahnemann before Reading had a chance to double the lead. Rougier passed the ball to Forster, who ran into the penalty area and was clearly fouled. It was also Forster who took the spot-kick, and although the keeper went the right way, managed to get the ball in at the post.

In the second half, we really should have scored more early on. The first opportunity came when Forster was again released through the middle - he took the ball round the keeper, but was pushed wide and so had to cross instead of shoot. Not for the first time in his career, he failed to pick out the unmarked Darius Henderson and instead crossed to a defender. It wasn't over as the defender whilst clearing nearly put the ball in his own net, but actually conceded only a corner. A few minutes later, Harper went on another excellent run and this time shot himself, but the goalkeeper was able to save.

After nine minutes of the half, Luton were awarded a penalty. I heard someone nearby jokingly ask if Hahnemann would get the first team place if he saved it. Well, perhaps the American was thinking the same way because he flung himself to the right and kept the ball out. At this stage of the game, the ball was spending more time in our penalty area than I like to see, and in the next attack only a good challenge from Adi Viveash stopped another shot.

With Andre Fashanu having replaced Forster early in the second half, Reading made a second substitution near the end when Ahmet Rifat replaced Henderson after the young forward suffered a heavy challenge. Rifat is a central defender, so Alex Stanley moved to right-back and Steve Laidler went from right-back to forward.

Luton had a couple more good chances but both times shot straight at Hahnemann. Then, with five minutes left, they had a corner which Reading failed to clear properly. In yet another repeat of what appears to be a standard Reading problem, the ball richocheted around the penalty area for a while. The first Luton shot was blocked by another of their attackers, but the ball fell to a forward who made no mistake blasting the ball into the roof of the net from six yards out.

We made our last substitution with a couple of minutes left, as Steve Warren replaced Rougier. At this stage in the game, we were hanging on a bit, and another Luton corner caused danger, this time snuffed out by Rifat getting out quickly to block when the ball reached an unmarked player at the far post.

To make matters worse, in injury time Adi Viveash had to be helped off, forcing another reshuffle with Stanley and Laidler returning to the positions where they started the match. Our ten men only had to hang on for a couple of minutes, although by the time the final whistle did go we were actually down to nine, as Fashanu was also injured. After treatment he was able to walk off the field, though.

It's always good to win reserve games, but what you really look for are players who are knocking on the door of the first team. Apart from those such as Forster and Henderson who are already regularly involved in the first team squad, the only one in this match who appeared ready was Alex Smith. This was also the case for much of last season in the reserves, and his problem is that Nicky Shorey has played so well there is not a vacancy for him at his current position.

Match notes:

Marcus Hahnemann played his first game in a Reading shirt since the loan spell last season, whilst Ahmet Rifat's substitute appearance was his first at this level.

Match preview:

Reading announced the following line-up:
Marcus Hahnemann, Ricky Newman, Alex Stanley, Adi Viveash, Alex Smith, Anthony Rougier, James Harper, Phil Parkinson, Nathan Tyson, Nicky Forster, Darius Henderson
Subs: Jamie Young, Ahmet Rifat, Steve Laidler, Steve Warren, Andre Fashanu

However, Ricky Newman picked up a knock in training the day before the game and may not be fit to play. If that is the case, Chris Davies will replace him. (Later news: Steve Laidler is expected to play instead of Newman, with Davies on the bench.)

Something to look out for from the Luton Town perspective is that they are currently seeking a goalkeeper, and were one of the clubs linked to taking Jamie Ashdown on loan.

Ticket information:

Standard for home reserve games - season ticket holders and Young Royals can get in free, whilst other prices are:
Adults - £4
Concessions - £2

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