Reading ruin perfect chance
By Matthew Grant
November 26 2003
Reading went down to a very uninspiring performance at Turf Moor. Steve Coppell needs to bring in personal for Reading to challenge for honours this season.
Reading produced a dismal performance on a wet Tuesday night at Turf Moor. Reading continued with the 4-5-1 formation that worked well at West Bromich Albion on Saturday. Burnley had former Reading players in the squad. Glen Little started the game while Luke Chadwick stated on the bench.
Burnley started very well and it was not long until they were in the lead. A Robbie Blake cross come shot ended up going through the defenders and creeping in at the back post. Reading tried to reply immediately with good chances falling to Steven Sidwell and John Salako in particular where Forster pulled it back and Salako was unable to put it past Brian Jensen, the Burnley goalkeeper.
Nicky Shorey also was unlucky with a free kick which his the side netting with some parts of the ground thinking the ball had hit the back of the net.
Half Time: Burnley 1:0 Reading
Reading made no changes at half time but unfortunately no improvement in the performance. Within the first minute in the second half Glen Little found himself unmarked but his header was saved well by Hahnemann. Though a couple of minutes Burnley doubled there lead thanks to youngster Richard Chaplow. More mix ups in defence left Chaplow to coolly chip Hahnemann. Reading were all over the place and Burnley looked like scoring every time they went forward. Then Burnley were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box which was fired home by Luke Chadwick. The former Reading loanee rubbing salt into the wounds.
Coppell's emotion was clear from the touchline and he made a triple substitution bringing on Bas Savage, Nathan Tyson and Kevin Watson. Though they were unable to create and score a consolation goal leaving Reading with a heavy defeat in a game which if we would have won, put us right near the top.
A striker needs to be found if Reading want to progress. This defeat also shows how tight the division is this season and that anyone can beat anyone. Reading's next game is at home to Watford on Saturday with a change in personal likely after the performance tonight.
Full Time: Burnley 3:0 Reading
Man Of The Match: Many of the players were poor tonight especially the back two who have beed excellent recently. Nicky Shorey was the best of the bunch.
Ref Watch: Mike Pike was ok, nothing much to complain about.