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A much improved Royals performance saw Reading claim a vital three points
and climb a couple of places up the table in the process. With both
first choice centre backs out injured Steve Coppell was forced into
changes which saw Ricky Newman and Ivar Ingimarsson replace Steve Brown
and Adrian Williams at the back. James Harper was also recalled to the
team with Kevin Watson out also injured. Andy Hughes held onto his place
on the right of midfield ahead of Scott Murray. It was also Graeme Murty's
first game after his debut for the Scotland National side which saw him
play the second half. Lloyd Owusu and Shaun Goater carried on upfront
alongside each other.
Gillingham started well and were quick to put the Royals back four
under pressure with Player-Manager, Andy Hessentalier playing a major role
in the Gills main moves.
Though it was Reading who opened up the scoring early on through top goal scorer,
Shaun Goater, some poor defending from the Gillingham back line allowed
Goater in and from the edge of the box the Bermudian International was
able to neatly lob the ball of Bertrand Bossu and in to the net. It sent
the 900 odd Reading fans in to jubilation at the opposite end in the
rather worrying looking temporary seating which was open to the elements!
Gillingham came right back at the Royals with some close shaves for the
Royals as they came close on a number of occasions. Gillingham though were
given the opportunity to equalise when Hessentalier went down in the box.
On a closer inspection it did look like the Gillingham manager had dived
or at very least went down rather easily. At this stage Reading fans were just
thinking surely not again after what happened at Rotherham a couple of weeks
earlier. Though Royals were relieved as Hahnemann saved the penalty and
the ball was cleared.
Gillingham continued to have a go but it just did not look like being
there day as they had a goal disallowed when Patrick Agyemang was adjudged
to be offside after going through and slotting the ball into the goal.
Half Time: Gillingham 0:1 Reading
Royals came out in the second half making no changes. Gillingham
continued to press the Royals goal but were just unable to come up with
that final pass.
 Reading
played the counter attack for the majority of the second half and nearly
killed off the game but were denied especially after a good save from the
Gillingham keeper after tipping the ball over the bar after a shot from
Nicky Shorey.
Steve Coppell then bought on Dave Kitson in place of goal scorer, Shaun
Goater in the late stages. The former Cambridge played did well after
coming on with one good run which nearly ending with a deserved goal.
Royals hanged on though and claimed all three points and saw there
Play-Off chances increase in the process.
Full Time: Gillingham 0:1 Reading
Man Of The Match: A much improved Royals who looked so much better at
the back. Though Goater gets my vote again after yet another goal.
Ref Watch: Very poor, made some very poor decisions which so nearly
cost Reading the three points.
To view all our photos from our trip to the Priestfield Stadium Click
Here
Next League Game
Reading vs Burnley
Madejski Stadium, Tuesday 24th February, 8:00 PM Kick Off
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