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Reading 1 - 1 Town
Reading 1 - 1 Town
Saturday, 10th Jan 2004 18:19

Town continued their unbeaten away record, which stretches back to September, with a 1-1 draw at Reading. The home side took the lead through Lloyd Owusu on 61 but the Blues hit back via John McGreal 11 minutes later, the central defender netting his first goal of the season.

Joe Royle brought back captain Jim Magilton and striker Shefki Kuqi after their match-winning display from the bench last week. Tommy Miller kept his place in midfield but there was no place for either Ian Westlake or Martijn Reuser. Miller lined-up on the right with Jermaine Wright unusually on the left.

Town took the game to the home side for the off without really creating many chances. Jermaine Wright shot wide in the 10th minute and Shefki Kuqi headed wide six minutes later.

The Royals first opportunities all fell to Owusu, the on-loan Sheffield Wednesday twice heading over and once straight to Kelvin Davis.

For Town, Pablo Couñago headed wide from a Magilton cross but the Blues weren't making the chances that their long periods of possession deserved. On 28 James Harper hit a 25 yarder which Kelvin Davis saved.

On the half hour Couñago headed to keeper Hahnemann and soon after got himself in the book for a foul on Scott Murray. Town were unimpressed with the decision as Shefki Kuqi was somewhat obviously fouled on the edge of the area shortly beforehand.

Skipper Jim Magilton made out the Town case and, after a lengthy lecture from referee Michael Ryan, took his arguments too far and was shown a yellow card.

Just before the break Andy Hughes headed a Scott Murray cross over the bar.


Despite having the vast majority of the possession, the Blues had really got quality crosses into the box. Reading seemed happy to soak up the pressure and rarely seriously threatened Kelvin Davis's goal.

The second half was in the main much the same, Town able to pass the ball around until the edge of the home side's penalty area but without too much in the way of penetration.

On 50 Fabian Wilnis played Jermaine Wright in on the right, the midfielder having swapped flanks with Tommy Miller. Wright's cross almost reached Magilton at the far post, however, a defender managed to clear.

Soon after Wright hit a shot into Hahnemann's hands before Shefki Kuqi came as close as the Blues had up to then, with a shot which flew just past the post from the edge of the box after a powerful run.

The Finnish international did well to win the ball and make a run down the right in the 55th minute. He managed to find Couñago in the area but the Spaniard was unable to get in a shot.

But despite all the Blues' possession, Reading went ahead in the 61st minute. Referee Ryan played the advantage after a number of Town players were caught offside from a freekick and the Blues were well and truly caught out on the break.

Keeper Hahnemann threw the ball forward to Murray who took the ball down the right and crossed into the box where Owusu headed past Davis. It was a sharp break from the home side with the Blues very much short of defenders as the cross came in.

Three minutes later Joe Royle made a double change. Off came Pablo Couñago and Tommy Miller and on went Dean Bowditch and Martijn Reuser.

Jermaine Wright headed a Magilton cross over in the 69th minute but Town were still failing to create clear-cut chances, although Fabian Wilnis took a punt on 71, the ball running weakly to Hahnemann.

A minute later the Blues were back on terms. Martijn Reuser sent in a corner from the Town left, Dean Bowditch headed goalwards and John McGreal stabbed home.

Kelvin Davis made a fine save from Murray soon after the Blues' goal and did well to grab a Hughes header. The Royals showed more attacking endeavour after McGreal's goal but appeared content to settle for a point.

Referee Ryan made a perplexing decision with nine minutes remaining, Nicky Shorey making a fine last ditch challenge on Shefki Kuqi and putting the ball out for an obvious corner. Surprisingly, Ryan awarded a goalkick, Jermaine Wright making Town's annoyance clear and receiving a yellow card for his trouble.

Murray forced Davis into another good save in the last 10 minutes but the Blues ought to have done better with a Dean Bowditch break. The 17-year-old brought the ball forward but failed to put in a decent pass for Kuqi and Hahnemann claimed at the edge of his box.

Late on Martijn Reuser shot wide with Town pushing for a winner but, as they had throughout, the Blues found it difficult to break down the staunch Reading backline.

Town probably deserved all three points on the day, the Blues enjoying most of the possession throughout but never creating the chances that that dominance ought to have allowed them.

However, a point away from home against a side not far from the play-off zone can't be seen as a bad return a the away record, and performances, are putting the home displays to shame at present, last week's FA Cup win over Derby aside.

Town Davis, Wilnis, Richards, Naylor, McGreal, Bart-Williams, Magilton, Wright, Miller (Reuser 64), Kuqi, Couñago (Bowditch 64).


Photo: Action Images



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