MATCH REPORT: 2004/2005 Season

2 November 2004: LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
PLYMOUTH 2 READING 2
goals
Reading: Coughlan (51 mins, own goal), Kitson (90 mins).
Plymouth:
Ingimarsson (18 mins, own goal), Crawford (41 mins).
Half Time: 2-0
Attendance: 14,336

CHAMPIONSHIP 2 Nov 2004
Pos Team P Pts GD
3 Sunderland 17 31 +12
4 READING 17 31 +10
5 QPR 17 30 +6
teams
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Shorey, Little, Harper, Sidwell, Convey (Morgan 64), Kitson, Owusu. Subs Not Used: Brooker, Savage, Newman, Young.
Plymouth: Larrieu, Worrell, Doumbe, Coughlan, Gilbert, Norris, Friio (Adams 75), Wotton, Lasley (Makel 89), Crawford, Evans (Milne 90). Subs Not Used: Lowndes, Hodges.
bookings
Reading: Little.
Plymouth:
-.
Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).
report

An injury time goal, well after ninety minutes, from Dave Kitson saw Reading come back from two goals down to share a point at Plymouth last night. The home side will be hugely disappointed after they looked to be cruising to an easy victory after going in at half time already 2-0 up. Plymouth were much the better side for most of the game and got off to an impressive start battering the Reading defence on the hunt for an early goal. It was no suprise when Plymouth eventually took the lead inside twenty minutes, when a header went off a confused Ingimarsson and into the back of the Reading net. Reading recovered slightly but it was Plymouth who also finished the first half stronger getting the second when a through ball beat a static Reading defence. The second own goal of the game gave Reading a lifeline just into the second half when an impressive defensive header flew back into the net. Time looked to be running out when Reading pushed hard for an equaliser at the end of time. Another defensive header nearly created a third own goal but was pushed over the crossbar for a Reading corner. From the corner Shorey put the ball over and Kitson bundled it home for his third goal in as many games.


FANS' POST MATCH OPINION

Talk about get out of jail! What a result... must have been ninety third minute as Kitson (I think) scrambled home a last gasp equaliser to earn the Royals a precious point at Plymouth infront of a tremendous following of true loyal fans. Reading were totally outplayed in the first half and the general consensus in the men's bog was that we were crap and were in for a right tonking. It was hard to disagree. Reading however showed tremendous character in producing a much better second half and though still not playing the good football we've seen this season, somehow we grinded out a draw, which may prove priceless come the end of the season. There was a lot of mumbling and grumbling about Ade Williams departure amongst the fans and in the first half most of us were thinking how on earth could we let our captain and Reading man through an through leave for the sake of a new contract. Time will tell, yes Ade will be missed, but I think it was a case of an offer Ade couldn't refuse rather than Reading letting him go, but gone he is and good luck to him. I'm sure he'll get a great reception when Coventry visit the Mad Stad later in the season. Tonight proved the squad we have is being stretched to the seems and is starting to burst. We need another striker, a defender and an attacking midfielder at least. Convey started tonight and was bitterly disappointing also squandering a great one on one chance in the first half. He really looks out of place and has to show huge improvement to justify his big transfer fee yet alone his place in the side. Morgan did much better when he came on as sub for Convey and looks a much better prospect. We now have three home games in four, a great chance to cement our place in the top four or five. We won't do that with our current squad. I'm loathe to appeal to JM but surely we'll not have a better chance than the position we find ourselves in this season. We have to invest if we are to be serious in maintaining a serious promotion challenge. What's galling is we're not asking the world just a few players... deep joy tonight at a great away draw, let's roll over Stoke on Saturday and push on. Keep the faith! UURRZZ
Nick Newbury

I have to agree with virtually everything Nick Newbury has said. I would like to see Morgan given a chance up front with Kitson as I still have reservations about Owusu. He just doesn't have the guile, mobility or skill to stand out in the Division. I went to the Match with my Father and brother who are both exiled Reading fans living in Torquay. They have been to a few Plymouth games thois season and said that the best Plymouth have played in the first half but they have a habit of tiring and running out of steam which proved the case in the last 20 mins last night. I think we may have 'dropped a brick' in signing Convey as he looks far too lightweight, gets easily knocked off the ball and doesn't seem to have the skill or pace to beat a player. Finally, we need 2/3 more quality additions to the squad and need to sort out this contract fiasco or else we will lose Forster the same way. Just look at Wigan who are continually trying to strenghthen their squad. If we don't do it this season, I fear we never will.
Mike S, Tilehurst

A fortunate away point but we need a bit of fortune now and again! Convoy looks to have been a big mistake and the departure of Adie is not good timing.However I believe there is enough in the present squad to be therabouts at the end.To achieve automatic promotion will require a few shrewd signings and loan deals but despite Steve Coppells rather churlish comments than it is now between 16 teams I believe tha we hold the team spirit to just surprise a few,Keep it up lads!
Terry, Isle of Wight.

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