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Steve Coppell was forced in to a number of changes for the game at Ninian
Park. There were two changes in defence. Both captain, Adrian Williams and
Nick Shorey were ruled out through injury. They were replaced by Steve
Brown and Ricky Newman who played yet another position this season! This
time left back. With Lloyd Owusu starting a three match ban for his
sending off at Preston, Dave Kitson was given his first start in a Reading
shirt alongside Shaun Goater. Jamie Ashdown also came in, in place of
injured Marcus Hahnemann. Jamie Young had to settle for a place on the
bench after his substitute appearance at home to Stoke on Saturday.
 Cardiff
started the brighter they had the most of the possession but without
testing Jamie Ashdown in goal. Reading though did start to come in to the
game more with the midfield pairing of James Harper and Steven Sidwell
playing extremely well. Reading were starting to string some good moves
together.
All three goals in the first half game in the space of 7 minute at the
end of the first half. The first game after a break in the game where the
referee could not continue after picking up an injury. He had to be
replaced with Reading preparing to take a corner. After they had sorted
out the replacement referee James Harper whipped in the corner and the
towering figure of Ingimarsson headed the ball into the corner of the goal
to put the Royals in to a deserved lead.
Though the lead was short-lived as Cardiff got on level terms only a
couple of minutes later. It was another poor goal from Reading's point of
view to concede. Ingimarsson did not clear the ball and a shot in to the
box was cleared off the line but it was drilled back across the goal and
hotshot, Robert Earnshaw was there to have an easy goal and put the
Bluebirds back on level terms.
Though as the fans were going down to get there pie and Bovril,
Reading got the lead back with basically the last kick of the half.
Another cross in to the box and this time Dave Kitson out jumped the
Cardiff goalkeeper and head home to score his first senior goal for the
Royals and what perfect timing it was.
Half Time: Cardiff City 1:2 Reading
Cardiff made one change at half time. Lennie Lawrence obviously wanting
his Cardiff team to take the game to Reading as they went out to test
Ashdown with ex Charlton player, John Robinson looking there biggest
threat. Reading though were holding there ground and had a couple of opportunities
to extend there lead on the counter attack. The best one when Kitson
played a ball up to Goater but he was unable to beat the defender to it
but won a corner out of it. Not long after, Steve Coppell made his
first sub as Goater was replaced by  Dean
Morgan.
It looked as though Reading were able to stop the threats posed by
Cardiff but just after the 70 minute mark they equalised for a second
time. The majority of the blame has to be given to Salako after it was his
poor pass across the defence that opened up the opportunity which was
taken by debutant, Lee Bullock, on loan from York City who hit the ball
through a crowd of players and in to the bottom corner. Cardiff where
clearly fired up and looking to take all three points. Play though was
stopped again as referee number two picked up an injury. This meant that
one of the linesman had to take over as the referee! Though the break in
play was considerably long which helped Reading recover from conceding the
goal.
As the game resumed Cardiff tried everything to get a winner but a
combination of bad luck and good goalkeeping preventing them and as it
looked it would be a straight third draw for the Royals, a good cross by
Brooker was met me the head of Dean Morgan who scored his first senior
goal and give Reading a dramatic win. It sent the Royals travelling fans
in to jubilation and put the team in the Play-Off's. Though after the late
winner and three referees the drama was not over yet as 9 minutes injury
time were added but Reading hanged on to take the three points back home
to England.
Full Time: Cardiff City 2:3 Reading
Man Of The Match: James Harper. Yet another fantastic
performance from midfield. Sidwell was also on top of his game.
Ref Watch: I have given a quick review of all three referee's
the Royals encountered!
Ref 1: Poor, seemed to be intimidated and so gave Cardiff some very
lucky free kicks.
Ref 2: Much better. Got most decisions correct.
Ref 3: Didn't do anything wrong. Best thing he did was blowing the full
time whistle!
Next League Match
Reading vs Sunderland
Madejski Stadium, 20th March, 3:00 PM Kick Off. - For Ticket
information regarding this game please Click
Here
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