Royals prove a point

By Matthew Grant
November 8 2003

The Royals proved to the critics that they are not out of the promotion race after a win over top of the table Wigan. A goal from Andy Hughes settled it but injuries to Adrian Williams and Scott Murray gave Coppell more injury problems

The first half saw little action with the game being very tight. Reading started with a conventional 4-4-2 with Shaun Goater being recalled into the Reading team to replace the suspeneded Steven Sidwell. The Royals looked much more like the team that was under the guidance of Alan Pardew with them pressing and trying to find the goal. Though we would have to wait until the second half for the goal. Reading though lost Captain, Adrian Williams to injury. There is no news yet how serious it is and whether he will have to pull out of the Welsh squad for there crucial Europeon play-off match.

Half Time: Reading 0:0 Wigan

The second half started with one change. Scott Murray came off being replaced by big Bas Savage. Again there is no news at the moment on how serious the injury is. Reading started quicker then there promotion rivals and they put a lot of pressure on the Wigan back four. It looked like we would be unable to break them down but eventually the pressure payed off. A free kick taken by John Salako was whipped to the back post where Hughes managed to bury it. Paul Jewell then tryed to change it around by bringing on Roberts and Teale but they were unable to take anything home from there visit to the Madejski Stadium. There was a bit more action right at the end when Wigan Goalkeeper, John Filan was sent off for apparently hand balling outside the box though he protested his innocence.

Full Time: Reading 1:0 Wigan

Man Of The Match: Ingimarsson - he is proving to be a great buy for Reading. He is a class act.

Ref Watch: Was not called into action much until sending off John Filan though he had no choice but to give the Goalkeeper his marching orders.

Attendance: 14,000