LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0 READING 0
(Half Time: 0-0)
Reading Scorers: -
QPR Scorers: -
Date: 25 August 2001
Attendance: 13,829

Reading: Whitehead, Murty, Williams, Whitbread, Robinson, Igoe (Hughes 79), Harper, Parkinson, Smith, Rougier (Henderson 54), Foster (Cureton 72). Subs not used: Viveash, Ashdown.

QPR: Day, Forbes, Palmer, Ben Askar, Bignot, Perry (Ebeli M'bombo 43), Rose, Bonnot, Connolly, Thomson (Paquette 87), Wardley (McEwen 56). Subs not used: Bull, Warren.
 
Bookings:
Bignot, Ebeli M'bombo, McEwen, Thomson (QPR). Forster, Parkinson (Reading).
Referee:
B Knight (Orpington)

The loudest cheer of the afternoon came from the Rangers fans when the referee disallowed a goal for Reading from a superb free kick from James Harper. When they had recovered from the anger and disappointment that they understandably felt at what appeared to be a harsh yet probably technically correct decision, Reading fans should feel proud of this fine away performance. A one goal victory was the least that they deserved. To dominate a game away from home against the likes of QPR indicates that the Royals can expect to beat anyone in this division - home or away.

Reading started brightly looking confident in possession and moved the ball around swiftly, and as the half progressed looked more likely to open the scoring than the home side. Forster appeared to have a strong case for a penalty when he broke clear in the box in the opening minutes and was tripped from behind. Smith and Harper in particular were able to hold the ball and control the crucial midfield area. Parkinson did his usual tenacious job in midfield and collected a booking for a late challenge which was about enthusiasm and commitment unlike some the cynical fouls which lead to three bookings for Rangers. Smith darted about in midfield and tormented the Rangers defence with a series of clever turns and crosses, and Igoe presented similar problems for the home side on the other flank.

Against the run of play Rangers almost scored when a ball dropped behind the Royals back four. The Rangers forward lifted the ball over Whithead but it drifted over the bar. Reading clearly had the better of the first half but had not really tested the Rangers keeper.

The tempo increased in the second half but the Royals were still very much in control. It seemed only a matter of time before they would score. When they did score the officials decided the goal should not stand. As Reading organised the set piece a Rangers defender dropped back to the goal line, quickly followed by two or three Reading players. The defender then ran back to the edge of the box closely followed by the Reading players. As they ran back Harper slammed the ball into the net and the fans acclaimed a great goal. The referee awarded the goal then overruled his own decision presumably deciding the forwards running away from the goal near the edge of the area were interfering with play - but it hadn't occurred to him until it was pointed out by his assistant! What was he looking at when the kick was taken?

The injustice of the decision spurred Reading on and they streamed forward looking for a much deserved winner and came close on a couple of occasions. Cureton came on and forced a save from the Rangers keeper. Whitbread headed just over from a corner. Whitehead made a spectacular save from a 30 yard effort. Hughes replaced Igoe and immediately got behind the Rangers defence with an impressive turn of speed.

The current Reading squad is an impressive unit - well organised, determined and comfortable on the ball. The quality of crosses and the delivery of the ball from set pieces has improved considerably since last season. The only element missing today was the sharpness of Cureton and Butler in the box. Rougier is better out wide and Henderson not quite ready for this level yet. The quality of this performance left the fans feeling promotion is likely this season.
Report by John Wells.

Post Match Opinions

This was an great performance by Reading in conditions more suited to Cairo, which saw us come away with just the one point when if there was any justice in the world we would have had three. Unfortunately we still have to suffer the unpredictability of bent cheating incompetent useless incapable amateur tossers of referees and linesmen, particularly away from home. However, lets be positive. If we continue to play like this for the rest of the season and make a few changes here and there will go up, make no mistake.
I know it's early but there seems to be a definite change in playing tactics and "praise the lord" Pardew seems to have decided to play football on the park rather than reverting to the hoofing game. We played QPR off the park yesterday, the defence looked very solid, even Anne Robinson didn't do too bad but may still need to be replaced. The midfield was quite outstanding with Parky giving a typical magnificent display of leadership, young Smith looks a very good buy and Harper continues to improve and is starting to look a very good player. I thought he was superb yesterday with his workrate in sweltering conditions unbelievable. Sammy "Ballboy" Igoe also had a good game playing with great confidence and the way he skips past players is a joy to watch.
All that was lacking yesterday to secure the three points was sharpness up front and the abilty the convert chances. Forster looked sharp and played well working his socks off, though another hamstring strain is worrying. Sadly his efforts were let down by Rougier who unlike the rest of the team continues to disappoint with lazy crap performances. He spent more time on his arse than on his feet and frankly his game was a joke. It just shows you only need one passenger and the whole team will suffer . Cureton looked ok when came on, as did Hughes , and a wonder save from Cureton near the end deprived us of the deserved three points.
I choose my words carefully over Henderson, I know Pardew rates him, but unless he's a long lost love child I'm blowed if I know what he sees in him. I know he's young but his basic ball control, lack of pace and effort does seem very poor. Perhaps he's been chucked in too early. Nothing to be said over the disallowed goal apart from bollocks and what goes around comes around.
So, I'm full of optimism for the coming season, with Butler to come back, oh how we missed him yesterday, and the team playing the way we are we can do it. Keep playing the way you are lads and come next year, perhaps we can have the luxury of watching some other poor sods in the playoffs on the telly!

-- Nick Newbury

Sitting in the Upper tier sweatbox, with my knees under my chin, unable to see 2/3rds of the goal, and crammed in like sardines, I still managed to see Reading dominate a home team who didn't have a clue. It was a clear case of a Reading side, showing their superior fitness, by repeatedly attacking the QPR goal in the searing heat. Parky was in excellent form, showing the QPR midfield he takes no prisoners.Robinson and Rougier need a BIG reminder on how to play for the team, and show some commitment. After the goal was disallowed, Reading went hell for leather, QPR were hanging on, I looked across, and saw QPR fans sitting quietly witnessing their side getting torn apart. Each time a Royals sub came on, we up the tempo more. We were robbed, but we came away from this game knowing that we are going to be the team to fear. The pheonix has risen from the play-off's.
-- Jamie, Woodley Royal

I happen to sit amongst the QPR Fans in the stands (quietly) - I thought Reading were excellent in the conditions -the heat must have been unbearable on the pitch- the players worked their socks off. The free kick by Harper was superb "a la Caskey" - that was one of his better games - played his cockiness and dare I say arrogance maybe that comes with confidence. I did think, though Darius did put himself about when he came on - he's still learning and is gaining valuable experience. It was an injustice that we only came back with one point - I could tell that from the reaction from the QPR fans around me.
-- Loyal Royal David, Kent

Another fine display should have resulted in another win and clean sheet. In the third quarter of the game particularly we looked excellent, and it's always best at away games when the Rs are streaming forward towards the end where the ever-increasing barmy army is outsinging the home side. The midfield was outstanding, especially Alex Smith, who could come to rival Cureton as bargain of the (21st) century. And Harper, what a great free-kick, even Ian Holloway thought it should have won the game! There's only two Darren Caskeys...
Now some nitpicking...
The tactics in the first half seemed odd. Playing Rougier as a target man against two talented and huge centrebacks was never really going to work. Anthony got a fair bit of stick from Royals fans but was clearly having no fun at all. He's not a back-to-goal player and is probably best used as a specialist sub - maybe for Igoe who always seems to fade towards the end of games. Henderson did better and got some nice flicks on as well as chasing some lost causes to good effect. Maybe he should have started; he still looks a bit clumsy receiving the ball, but so did Trevor Senior, and his attempts at overhead kicks are always good for a laugh. We're still using too much hoof, especially in the first half. Williams and Murty are better players than that, and with so many good ballplayers in the midfield they are surely capable of finding them.
The more limited Robinson didn't have a great game but did link well with Smith and Harper. Likewise, OK Whitehead can't kick straight, so have him bring the ball out and play through the defence, have the full backs make themselves available for 30-40 yard goalkicks, or have him throw more often. Brilliant save to prevent complete injustice late on though. Finally we looked uncomfortable towards the end when the QPR substitutes were running at the defence at speed. Let's be generous and say that the heat meant that both sides got through 90 minutes' work by the hour mark, but there was a Parky sized hole in front of the defence by the end. Again excusable, based on his massive first half performance. Still, we'd win that game 3-1 most times, and if that's the best another of the favourites can come up with we have no excuse not to go straight up this year.
It's a long time since watching Reading has been this much fun.

-- Nick Reed

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