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2002/03 Reports

Match facts:

Reading goals: Nathan Tyson (17 minutes), Adi Viveash (51 minutes), Anthony Rougier (penalty, 55 minutes)
Assists: Ricky Newman (2), Anthony Rougier
Opposition goal: After 90 minutes
Half-time: Reading 1 Gillingham 0
Gamebreaker: Reading's second goal
Attendance: About 250, including Alan Pardew, Ian Holloway, Ian Atkins, Paul Holsgrove, Andy Bernal
Referee: S D Tomlinson
Linesmen:
Weather: Dry, sunny and warm

Reading line-up: 1 Phil Whitehead; 2 Ricky Newman (12 Steve Warren, 63 minutes), 6 Alex Stanley, 5 Adi Viveash (15 Andre Boucaud, 63 minutes), 3 Alex Smith; 7 Sammy Igoe (16 Darren Campbell, 63 minutes), 4 Phil Parkinson, 8 Joe Gamble, 11 Nathan Tyson; 10 James Harper, 9 Anthony Rougier
Sub not used: 14 Steve Laidler
Reading yellow cards: Ricky Newman (kicking the ball away, 23 minutes)
Reading red cards: None

Match report:

Reading fielded an experienced line-up for this game, but then again it was the same eleven that lost 1-0 away to Colchester United reserves last week. Anthony Rougier was playing up front, with James Harper just behind him. That made it either a 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 formation, depending on how you view such things. Personally, I call it 4-4-2.

Both sides had good opportunities near the start. A good Reading passing move ended when Harper couldn't get a shot in, whilst shortly afterwards Rougier put a shot wide. Then two minutes later, Gillingham hit the bar direct from a free-kick just outside the penalty area.

Nathan Tyson had a chance to score from a corner, but his header was saved. However, Tyson did open the scoring a minute later after latching onto a long through-ball which he emphatically volleyed into the net. We should have extended the lead from another corner, but Rougier managed to head over from two yards. And just before the break, Rougier's entire Reading career was summed up in a few seconds, as a brilliant turn enabled him to get into the penalty area in space, but he then lost control of the ball and so was unable to set up either of our two unmarked players in the six-yard box.

The second half started well, with a bullet header from Adi Viveash extending the lead after a Ricky Newman free-kick near the corner flag, and then Rougier made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after being fouled himself.

Reading made a triple substitution and switched to 4-5-1 with Phil Parkinson going to centre-back and Harper to right-back, as we attempted to deal with the problem of having five central midfielders on the pitch at the same time.

Reading dominated the remainder of the game, but there was only really one spell when it looked as though another goal must come. A superb run down the right wing by Darren Campbell started off this move, but Rougier's header to his cross was part-cleared by the defence. The ball came out to Andre Boucaud on the left edge of the penalty area. He used an outrageous trick to beat the defender and then crossed for Tyson to hit a firm left foot drive that was just turned away by the Gillingham keeper at the expense of a corner. Unfortunately the corner was wasted, and that good work led to nothing tangible.

Gillingham had also made a few changes and got some reward when in the last minute, Phil Whitehead was beaten with a good left foot shot that looped over him and into the corner of the net.

The game therefore ended 3-1, and it was a pretty reasonable performance by the Reading side. All the usual suspects made some claim for a future spot in the first team squad - Alex Smith, Joe Gamble and Nathan Tyson - but Sammy Igoe, who is rather more likely to get one, didn't really get involved in the game. Anthony Rougier had a much better game than in the last reserve game I saw, the home match with Luton Town, but showed nothing that would put him ahead of our other forward or wide players.

There seemed to be quite a few scouts at the game, so (transfer windows permitting) it might be interesting to find out whether anyone follows up an interest in any of our unsettled players.

Match notes:

The game kicked off at 2.30pm, because Gillingham arrived late. Gillingham were also late for their previous reserve game, away to Bristol City two weeks ago, forcing a 30-minute kick-off delay there as well. If it's a deliberate tactic, then it didn't upset Reading!

Anthony Rougier scored two goals against Gillingham reserves last season, one of which was also a penalty.

Match preview:

Reading have announced the following line-up:
Phil Whitehead, Ricky Newman, Alex Smith, Adi Viveash, Alex Stanley, Phil Parkinson, Joe Gamble, James Harper, Sammy Igoe, Anthony Rougier, Nathan Tyson
Subs: Steve Warren, Steve Laidler, Andre Boucaud, Darren Campbell

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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