Forster penalty gives reserves victory

By Mark Sugar
April 7 2004

A 70th minute penalty from Nicky Forster was enough to give the Reading Reserves a 1-0 victory over Steve Coppell's former side Brighton and Hove Albion at the Madejski Stadium this afternoon.Both Forster and Adie Williams played a full match after recent injuries.

Reading Reserves title push continued with a 1-0 victory over Steve Coppell's former side Brighton and Hove Albion at the Madejski Stadium. A 70th minute penalty from the returning Nicky Forster gave the reserves the win.

More pleasing for Reading was that the recent injured pair of Forster and club Captain Adie Williams got a full game for the reserves. However the pair are still some way short of match fitness. But Lloyd Owusu, who was scheduled to start the match didn't start due to a chest injury and is now doubtful for Saturday's trip to Bradford City.

The match started positively for both sides and it was Reading who came closest with Adie Williams having his shot blocked by the stubborn Brighton defence. Also creating good opportunities for Reading were the highly rated young Irish winger Jonathan Hayes and the highly rated Scottish winger Darren Campbell.

Nicky Forster came close with a mazy run before full-back Louis Soares had his shot tipped over the bar. Bas Savage had a shot saved again as the teams went into the half time break at 0-0.

Watching the Royals today were Steve Coppell and First Team Coach Kevin Dillon, along with Royals chairman John Madejski and the newly appointed Brentford manager Martin Allen, once a former employee of the club under the Alan Pardew era. Also watching was former Reading player Barry Hunter, now temporary Player-Manager at Rushden and Diamonds.

The second half started with chances coming and going for the home side. Nicky Forster on 3 occasions along with new loan signing Dean Gordon and Bas Savage.

But Kelvin Jack was forced into a fantastic save after a deflected shot which came off Dean Gordon was heading in 1 corner and Jack in the other but it required fantastic reflexes from the Trinidad and Tobago international.

But the Royals were awarded a penalty later on when Bas Savage went on a run and was bought down just by the area. It could have easily been awarded a free kick but the ref said he was fouled within in the area and Nicky Forster stepped up and scored his 1st goal for a while. 1-0 to the Royals.

Later on, just before the end Bas Savage and the substitute Ahmet Rifat came close but they couldn't convert. But the match finished Reading 1-0 Brighton

Reading Team: Jack, Soares, Gordon, Williams, Mullins, Watson (Rifat 65), Boucaud, Campbell, Hayes, Savage, Forster. SUBS: Young, Catney, Osano

Man of the Match: Darren Campbell