Reading earn hard fought point

By Matthew Grant
November 23 2003

Reading went away from the Hawthorns with a hard fought point thanks to some good luck and poor finishing from West Brom. Reading are now five points off the top.

Reading proved to manager Steve Coppell that they are more then good enough to be in the runing come the end of the season. Coppell had said a few weeks back that the team were losing too many games but went from West Brom with a gritty and dermined performance.

Reading were forced into one change with Scott Murray returing in the place off injured Shaun Goater. Newman continued at the back alongside Iceland International Ivar Ingimarsson.
As expected West Brom carried the early threat with Dichio coming close early on. The strikerhad only recently returned from a loan spell at Derby County. Reading though were not afraid to go forward and were equal to West Brom for the majority of the first half. Though with 15 minutes to half time The Baggies started pushing Reading into there final third with Jason Koumas having his attempt saved well by Hahnemann.

Half Time: WBA 0:0 Reading

West Brom started the second half like they finished the first. They had a number of opportunities to open the scoring. Both O'Connor and Haas having great opportunities. Especially Haas who managed to put the shoot high and wide when he had the goal caping at him!

Reading though had chances to score with Nicky Forsters pace causing problems at times. Readig though can be delighted with the performance they showed like in fron of the Sky Cameras and hopefuly carry on from this.

Full Time: WBA 0:0 Reading

Man Of The Match: Ivar Ingimarsson - Again did a great job at the back. Thats Reading's third clean sheet on the trot and he had a big hand in it.