Reading 2 Burnley 2

By Longsider
February 25 2004

Burnley drew at Reading last night although we should have won the game. The Clarets led until the 93rd minute before James Harper gave Reading an undeserved share of the points.

The Csarets maintained their unbeaten lague run in 2004, at the Madejski Stadium, last night. There's no doubt though that everyone was disappointed with the final score as the Clarets looked certain to pick up all 3 points until James Harper got a late equaliser in injury time to give the Royals a share of the points.

Stan kept the same side that had beaten Ipswich over the weekend and the team do seem to be growing more and more confident with each game. It was a dour opening to the game, not dissimilar to previous visits, and it only really came to life when Mo Camara and Brian Jensen had communication difficulties to allow Lloyd Owusu the simpliest of goals. A long ball towards the box was headed into the 6 yard box, with Jensen who came to collect the ball nowhere in sight, and there was Owusu to give the home side the lead.

Burnley hit back though almost immediately when a hopeful ball by Camara wasn't dealt with by the Reading defender. Ian Moore pounced and then beat Hahnemann to level for the Clarets. The game drifted away with no real chance for either side before the half time whistle was blown.

Stan made his one substituion of the evening at half time with Bradley Orr replacing Richard Chaplow. Burnley were the better side in the 2nd half and played some really good football. All of the good stuff was coming through Robbie Blake and Glen Little and Burnley should have taken the lead through Little but he was denied by some last ditch tackling.

The goal we deserved came midway through the half when Reading failed to deal with a poor Bradley Orr cross which allowed David May to score his second goal in 4 days. The last time Burnley won away from home David May scored so was this to be another landmark goal for him and Burnley? Sadly, no was to be the answer.

Burnley should have added to their lead but we were made to pay for our missed chances. Owusu hit the bar in the 90th minute and just as we thought we'd taken the points Harper scored to give Reading a point.

The table continues to look better for the Clarets who have now climbed above Rotherham and if we continue to play as we have done in recent weeks, then the issue of relegation will be ended sooner rather than later.

Burnley:-
Jensen, Roche, May, McGregor, Camara, Little, Grant, Chaplow(Orr 45), Weller, I.Moore, Blake.

Subs:- Rachubka, West, A.Moore and Chadwick.

Reading:-
Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Ingimarsson, Newman, Sidwell, Harper, Hughes(Murray 73), Salako(Morgan 57), Owusus, Goater(Kitson 73).

Subs:- Williams and Young

The referee was Andy Penn(W. Midlands)