Reading FC V Albion
lets viking do it!
By Sam Box
May 15 2004
Albion visit reading for there last weekend away game of the season. Albion fans will be turning up viking hats and all sorts for there annual end of season away day party. Reading are desperate for 3 points to get 1 step closer to the play off's.
Reading Vs West Bromwich Albion
Saturday,1st May
Nationwide League Division 1
Madejski Stadium, Reading
Kick Off 15:00pm
Congratulations to the players, staff and
supporters of West Bromwich Albion on their promotion back to the Premiership!
We wish them well next season.
Team News
Steve Coppell welcomes back on-loan Coventry City defender Dean Gordon back to
his injury hit squad for this must win match. He suffered a recurrence of a foot
injury in the fluke 1-0 home defeat to Division 1 leaders Norwich City on Easter
Monday. It was first thought he'd miss the whole season but he has made great
progress, giving him a fighting chance of playing a part in the remaining 2
League games. Icelandic defender Ivar Ingimarrson serves the 2nd of a 3 game ban
following his harsh dismissal in the 2-1 defeat to Division 2 bound Bradford
City. This means Adie Williams will again be partnered by Ricky Newman, who is
playing fantastically well at the moment. American goalie Marcus Hahnemann still
hasn't recovered from a knee injury sustained in the 0-0 draw with Stoke City on
the 13th March. That will leave Jamie Ashdown as the starting goalie again with
England U18's star Jamie Young on the bench. Nicky Shorey misses out again with
a foot infection. He won't play again this season. Another player who definitely
won't feature this season is centre back Steve Brown. He is still recovering
after knee surgery. Andy Hughes should start the game despite not having fully
recovered from ankle ligament damage. He played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0
away win over Millwall at the Den last Saturday. Kevin Watson is very doubtful
for Saturday with a long standing calf injury. He looks a dead certainty not to
be offered a new deal in the summer. Paul Brooker is doubtful with a calf injury
picked up in the 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra. Should he not make it, Bas
Savage will start again after an impressive 65 minutes against Millwall. Nicky
Forster is still recovering from stomach surgery and won't play in the remaining
2 home games. That leaves 4 fit strikers fighting for 2 place in the 1st 11.
Dave Kitson should start the match up front with 1 out of Shaun Goater, Lloyd
Owusu and Dean Morgan.
Wales International Jason Koumas misses the clash with the Royals after his red card against Millwall at the Den on Easter Monday. More team news to follow tomorrow and Friday.
Key player for West Brom: Geoff Horsfield
West Brom Goal Scorer's:
| Name | League | FA Cup | Carling Cup | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Hulse | 10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| Lee Hughes | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 |
| Jason Koumas | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Geoff Horsfield | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Scott Dobie | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Thomas Gaardsoe | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Neil Clement | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Bernt Haas | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Darren Moore | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Lloyd Dyer | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Andy Johnson | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Sean Gregan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Artim Sakiri | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Mark Kinsella | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Referee: Clive Penton (Sussex)
Form Guide
The Royals enter the match in good spirits following a solid 1-0 victory over FA Cup Finalists Millwall. Shaun Goater was the goal scorer.
West Bromwich Albion won promotion last Saturday without kicking a football. Wigan held Sunderland to a 0-0 draw which meant the Baggies were back in the big time. They capped off the fantastic day with a 2-0 win. Geoff Horsfield and Lee Hughes were the 2nd half goal scorer's.
Previous League Meetings
22/11/2003 West Brom 0-0 Reading
26/12/1997 Reading 2-1 West Brom
07/09/1997 West Brom 1-0 Reading
26/12/1996 Reading 2-2 West Brom
10/09/1996 West Brom 3-2 Reading
02/12/1995 Reading 3-1 West Brom
07/10/1995 West Brom 2-0 Reading
14/01/1995 Reading 0-2 West Brom
29/10/1994 West Brom 2-0 Reading
21/04/1993 Reading 1-1 West Brom
09/09/1992 West Brom 3-0 Reading
Thanks to www.soccer-stats.com for the above information
Ticket News
Click here for the Ticket
News for the game
Division 1 Fixtures
Friday 30th April 2004
Sheffield United Vs Ipswich Town 19:45 (LIVE ON SKY)
Saturday 1st May 2004
Bradford City Vs Stoke City 15:00
Cardiff City Vs Wimbledon 15:00
Crystal Palace Vs Walsall 15:00
Gillingham Vs Coventry City 15:00
Norwich City Vs Preston North End 15:00
Nottingham Forest Vs Wigan Athletic 15:00
Reading Vs West Bromwich Albion 15:00
Rotherham United Vs Burnley 15:00
Sunderland Vs Crewe Alexandra 15:00
West Ham United Vs Watford 15:00
Derby County Vs Millwall 17:35 (LIVE ON SKY)
League Table
| Current League Positions | P | W | D | L | F | A | P | |
| 2nd | West Bromwich Albion | 43 | 25 | 11 | 7 | 63 | 35 | 86 |
| 9th | Reading | 44 | 19 | 10 | 15 | 54 | 56 | 67 |
Anything Else
The match is fancy dress for Royals and Baggies supporters. Reading fans have dedicated it "Ginger Day" for Steve Sidwell and Dave Kitson for their fantastic contribution this season. While the 4,300 West Brom have dedicated the day "Viking Day" for their Danish defender Thomas Gaardsoe who has had a fantastic season since moving from Ipswich Town. What a great effort by both sets of fans for this carnival atmosphere.
Remember to make your predictions on the Prediction League.
Many thanks to Mark Sugar from 1871Royals.