Reserves stay top after victory over Cambridge

By Mark Sugar
March 24 2004

Reading Reserves stayed top of the Pontius Holiday Combination League after a 4-1 victory over Cambridge at the Madejski Stadium. A double from Scott Murray plus goals from Dean Morgan and on-loan Coventry City defender Dean Gordon bought home the points for Brian McDermott's side.

Well should Reading not get promoted to the Premiership this season then 1 of the positives to take from this season will be the very encouraging performances of the Royals reserve side. With 3 games to go until the end of the Pontius Holiday Combination League Season, the Royals sit proudly on top with a massive goal difference thanks to some brilliant performances. Today was just another day at the office.

Brian McDermott handed a 1st start to on-loan Coventry City left back Dean Gordon since sealing a loan move until the end of the season. Also making a welcome return was fans favourite Kevin Watson, who has been out for over a month now with a calf injury sustained in training. On the bench was trial list striker Jeff Goulding, a 6'2 non-contract striker who has previously played for near neighbours and local rivals Aldershot Town and Egghem. Also featuring was Peter Castle, who recently signed a proffesional contract with the club since turning 17 and the likes of Omar Daley, Scott Murray, Jamie Young and Paul Brooker.

The Royals raced into an early 1st half lead when Omar Daley delivered a pin point cross for in form striker Dean Morgan to head in.

It could have been 2 very nearly after Scott Murray's fantastic overhead kick hit the crossbar.

Then the 1st substitution was made when Peter Castle was taken off injured after suffering a broken nose again, the 3rd time in his short career. He was replaced Johnny Mullins.

But soon after Cambridge pulled the game level after poor defending from a set piece let the U's score.

But the class between the 2 sides began to show with the Royals taking full domination of the game, with Dean Gordon and Jamaican International Omar Daley coming close. But the game finished 1-1 at half time.

But soon after the interval, the Royals went in front again thanks to a Scott Murray goal. Paul Brooker's run found Dean Morgan who laid a pass into the feet of Murray who shot home from outside the area.

Moments later it was 3, as a Scott Murray corner was headed in at the near post by Dean Gordon. Not a bad debut!

The game was all over when Omar Daley put Scott Murray 1 on 1 with the U's goalkeeper and the Scot round the goalie before tucking home.

Chances fell to Ahmet Rifat, Simieon Howell and Jeff Goulding but they couldn't score as the Royals ended up winning 4-1. Another very encouraging performance by the Royals Reserves.

Man of the Match: Scott Murray

Reading Team: Young, Soares, Gordon, Castle (Mullins), Rifat, Watson, Savage, Murray, Brooker, Morgan (Goulding), Daley (Howell).