MATCH REPORT: 2004/2005 Season

31 August 2004: LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
READING 1 SUNDERLAND 0
goals
Reading: Forster (2 mins).
Sunderland:
-
Half Time: 1-0
Attendance: 15,792

CHAMPIONSHIP 31 Aug 2004
Pos Team P Pts GD
4 Plymouth 6 13 +3
5 READING 6 12 +2
6 Sheff Utd 6 11 +3
teams
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Williams, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Hughes, Sidwell, Harper, Brooker, Forster (Sonko 90), Kitson (Owusu 78). Subs Not Used: Goater, Morgan, Young.
Sunderland:
Poom, Williams, Breen, Collins, McCartney, Oster (Lawrence 60), Whitley (Thornton 60), Whitehead, Arca, Kyle, Stewart (Elliott 54). Subs Not Used: Lynch, Ingham.
bookings
Reading: -
Sunderland:
Whitley, Thornton.
Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).
report

A Nicky Forster goal within the opening two minutes was enough for the full three points, as Reading moved into fifth in the table with victory over Sunderland at the Madejski. With Little and Convey out of action, Brooker and Hughes started on the wings and the two players were involved for the only goal of the game. Brooker played the ball to Hughes who put over an excellent cross from the right which Forster powered home with his head from deep inside the Sunderland box. After the early goal a Sunderland revival appeared to be on the cards after the visitors had a good period of play - however after hitting the foot of the Reading post they rarely tested Hahnemann. Reading gradually got back on top and Harper nearly doubled the lead with a first half free-kick that required a good save from the Sunderland keeper. The second half saw Sunderland win a series of corners but they were again let down by very poor form in front of goal as they continually blasted it high and wide. A neat piece of play from Kitson set up Sidwell who had two chances to seal the win after his first effort was saved. Later on Sidwell put in a better shot that needed a good save. Down the other end, despite a few chances, the visitors failed to get the ball in on target. With time running out Sunderland's desperation showed with a dive in the area that should have received a booking. At full time it was Reading who looked good for the win against a very average Championship side.

Following report from John Wells:
Tonight Reading picked up three valuable points in a highly entertaining game against a strong Sunderland side with a very spirited performance. The Royals were a goal up inside two minutes with a superbly constructed and finished goal from Nicky Forster. Brooker came inside to scrap for a loose ball, and showing great control and composure amidst a crowd of players, delivered a pass out wide to Andy Hughes who whipped in a good early cross. Forster timed his run to perfection and nipped in to divert the ball with his head the ball in at the near post leaving Poom stranded, groping for a cross that never arrived.

Predictably Sunderland enjoyed a period of possession without really creating much pressure as Reading consolidated their position by sitting back to snuff out any attempts by the visitors to get quickly back into the game. Although they squandered possession needlessly on occasions the whole team were quick to get behind the ball and close players down quickly when danger threatened. The only clear cut chance for Sunderland in the first half when Kyle won a header to set up Whitehead whose shot struck the outside of the post.

Gradually Reading got back into the game. Brooker, who was making some good runs on the left, cut inside and was brought down from behind just outside the box. Harper's free kick was well struck and Poom spilled the ball but Reading were unable to take advantage. Just before the interval a clever through ball by Kitson put Forster clear but he allowed the ball to run away from him and the chance was lost. It was a little worrying the way Sunderland were exploiting the space behind Hughes wide on Reading's right, but Reading reached half time with a goal advantage.

Typical of a Mick McCarthy side the visitors came out fighting in the second half. They are a big and physical team capable of slick passing and movement and they were prepared to work very hard to close players down. Reading rose to the challenge and matched their opponents for effort. Defensively Reading maintained high levels of concentration and worked well as a unit. They looked like a team full of confidence and determination. As Sunderland pressed forward looking for an equaliser Reading began to look dangerous on the break. They came close to adding a second goal four times in the space of two minutes. Kitson showing fantastic awareness and invention back heeled a pass which left Sunderland's defence utterly bemused and Sidwell clean through on Poom. Unfortunately he was unable to beat he keeper with two attempts in quick succession and Forster, following up, drove the ball at Poom and the ball went out. From the resulting corner Kitson was first denied by the post and then a good close range save from the 'keeper. Sunderland were relieved not to concede. On sixty-eigth minutes Kitson went on a run into the heart of the Sunderland defence and created a chance for Sidwell who brought a fine diving save from Poom with a rasping long range effort.

With time running out McCarthy, bearing a remarkable resemblance to John Wayne, waddled back and forth yelling advice and making a succession of substitutions. Neither had much impact. Whitehead had the only decent chance and he scuffed his shot and dragged it wide of the far post. Lawrence made a meal of a challenge in the box and hopefully appealed for penalty which he did not, in my opinion, deserve. The referee wasn't too impressed either and chose to ignore the protest. To be fair to Sunderland they made a game of it but I felt Reading were just too difficult for them to break down and always looked more threatening going forward. Reading move up into fifth place with this win. The defence is looking very solid, the work rate in midfield is phenomenal, and Kitson and Forster are proving a real handful for opposing defences. Tonight Reading played like a team that means business. Not everyone appreciates Coppell's style, but his team have made a very encouraging start to the season. In fact they can count themselves a little unlucky not to have remained unbeaten so far.
John


FANS' POST MATCH OPINION

This was as exciting as the Rotherham game was boring. It had the ingredient that many good games have - namely the home side scoring early - and what a good goal it was, Hughes sending in a good cross and Forster guiding it into the net. Sunderland had to attack and their slick passing meant that they had much more possession than we did, but we created more. This was a victory for a team that worked hard together. Sunderland's attacks frittered away around the box where the back four were magnificent. Marcus took the crosses well, but I can't remember him really being tested, due to the success of our defending and Sunderland's lack of real creativity. Arca was their real threat and he was a handful for Murty and Hughes but they stuck to their task well. Harper and Sidwell did not have time to be really creative though Sidwell might have scored firstly with a one on one with the keeper and later with an effort which produced a magnificent save from Poom. Broker did well and showed good skill but at times you wanted him to go on and do a bit more. There was one effort in the second half when he had very well to get into the box but then he tried to go backwards instead of hitting the shot. Perhaps it is a question of belief and confidence. Forster and Kitson worked hard and some of the balls that Kitson slipped through were a delight to see. Forster still needs to do some work on avoiding the offside (nothing new there!) All in all it was a terrific evening's work and a good start to the season. Last season Sunderland beat us quite easily at the Mad Stad and many would not have backed us to play so resolutely for so long. Hopefully this is the start of becoming a much more successful side at home and if we can do that - well who knows?
Ken C

A win is a win and three precious points last night continue the great start to the season . I'll always remember McGhee saying two points a game is championship form , and that's just where we're at after six games . I thought in a funny way it was a very exciting game last night , Sunderland played some great football at a frenetic pace and seemed to have so much possession most of the night yet in a way as only the game of football can do , it was Reading who had the far better chances to score with Ingimasson , Kitson , Sidwell and Forster all having great chances to add to Nicky Forsters great opening header . Poom in goal for Sunderland had a blinder and so did Ade Williams for us who I thought was quite exceptional . It really was backs to the wall for most the game and I for one was convinced they would score , but even with yet another totally useless set of so called officials in black being so biased to Sunderland we managed to hang on. Every Reading player worked his socks off including Brooker and Hughsie who has had stick in the past but last night run himself into the ground .Well played Hughsie . I think that's all we fans really expect , of course we are going to get beat and we are going to play teams who play us off the park , but if we show that commitment , effort and passion in our home games , then maybe the Madstad can become a fortress . Well played Reading , unlucky Sunderland , I've a feeling we may meet again at the end of the season in those dreaded play offs .
Nick Newbury

A battling performance gave RFC a hard earned win I thought. The players worked very hard to keep Sunderland at bay & apart from one or two scares, seemed to defend pretty well as a unit (certainly an improvement on the Oxford match). The only thing that bothered me was our tendency to sit back & invite pressure, especially in the 2nd half when Sunderland players were given too much time & space in the midfield. The other downer for me was that Kitson was unable to get the goal his general play deserved. That's 3-4 times he's hit the woodwork since the start of the season & with a bit more luck he'd be deservedly amongst the top scorers in the league already. All in all though, good to get 3 points off a team that took 6 off us last season. COME ON!!!!
Caversham Royal

Could only listen to game- great win to take us into 5th...positives, our defence sounded focused and solid, while Brooker had a decent game down the left. There is no doubt based on these opening games that the Kitson/Fossie partnership is more than promising and that the side in general is more resilient than it was last season...well done Steve Copple (so far!) Only negative was the amount of times Reading gave the ball away- to make a real difference in this division and set ourselves apart from the other teams keeping possession has got to be vital...better finishers than Sunderland would have took advantage of that...Urzzzz!
Nigel, Chippenham Royal

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