Coppell fumes at what might have been
By Matthew Grant
August 29 2004
Reading came away from The New Den with nothing after a hugely frustrating encounter which saw three very good penalty claims turned down. Millwall won the game late on through a strike by Danny Dichio to make it three wins on the spin for the Lions.
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CARLING CUP | |||||||
| MILLWALL | 1 |
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| Dichio | |||||||
| READING | 0 | ||||||
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MATCH REPORT | |||||||
| Reading failed to clock up three League wins on the trot as they were unfortunately beaten by the single goal at the New Den against Millwall. The Royals were sporting their new all white away shirt for the first time.
Millwall started much the better looking to take the game to Reading straight away. Millwall's main outlet came throw long throw specialist, Adrian Serioux. The Canadian International created the Lions first couple of chances of the game. His first throwing reached central defender Darren Ward but he headed wide of the post and only minutes later Danny Dichio missed a good opportunity from Serioux's throw. Reading did gradually come into the game as the half wore on. Glen Little headed just over the bar before shortly being substituted after feeling his hamstring again. He was replaced by Bobby Convey. Little is defiantly out of Tuesday game against Sunderland. Reading's best opportunity of the first half fell to Dave Kitson. Kitson was put through after a clever chip by Nicky Shorey but his effort was foiled by alert keeping by Graham Stack who blocked the shot well. Half Time: Millwall 0:0 Reading Early in the second half and Reading had their first claim for a penalty after Bobby Convey looked to be clearly sandwiched off the ball by two Millwall players. Convey did then have a good chance after a ball through to Nicky Forster was scrambled away by Stack only to fall to Convey who blasted well over. Reading were starting to dominate proceedings and looked to have an even clear penalty. With only ten minutes to go good work by Kitson found Forster whose long range effort deflected forcing Stack into another good save. The rebound came to Kitson who took it away from the keeper only to by bought down. Again the referee waved play on to the utter frustration of the management, players and fans. To make it even worse only a few minutes later Millwall went down the other end and scored the eventual winner. A free kick straight from the training ground found the head of Danny Dichio and the ball nestled just inside the left hand post. Coppell acted quickly to bring on Shaun Goater and Ibrahima Sonko for his debut. There was to be more controversy before the final whistle. Into injury time a cross in to the box came out to Steven Sidwell and his shot was superbly saved by the impressive Stack. Sidwell then won the ball back only to be clearly fouled by John Simpson. Yet again all the ref could do was stand and wave play on. A very frustrating day for Reading but goals are the key to winning matches and at the moment not enough of them are being scored. Full Time: Millwall 1:0 Reading Man Of The Match: Steven Sidwell Played well in the middle up against Jody Morris and Dennis Wise and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Why not have your say on the game, visit the 1871Royals Message Board
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NEXT LEAGUE MATCH | |||||||
| Reading Vs Sunderland
31st August 2004, Madejski Stadium, 20:00 PM Kick Off Please Click Here for Ticket Information regarding this game. | |||||||
