Royals travel sickness continues - Match Report

COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP

MATCH REPORT

Derby had previously not won in last three games but that was all about to change as they rolled Reading over thanks to two second half goals from Tommy Smith and Marcus Tudgey.

County from the off looked to control proceedings with Spaniard, Inigo Idiakez spreading the play well.

The majority of The Rams best chances came from their left hand side. Marco Reich was causing Andy Hughes and Graeme Murty all sorts of problems.

When Reich went down easily by a Graeme Murty tackle, the free kick by Idiakez scrapped the bar to The Royals relief.

The game faded as the first half went on, Reading's best effort came in very strange circumstances. The game has been stopped due to a head injury to Nicky Forster.

When play resumed Andy Hughes kicked the ball back to Derby keeper Lee Camp only for the ball to go over Derby's youngster and hit the crossbar.

The Pride Park faithful were less then impressed with Hughes's actions and he was booed for the majority of the game from then on.

Half Time: Derby County 0:0 Reading

The second half continued in the same vain as the end of the first with neither team really looking to the game by the scruff of the neck.

Reading did have a couple of opportunities half way through the second half. Firstly Paul Broker was found after a good ball from Kitson but he could only manage a tame effort at goal which was saved by Camp.

Then Kitson found an opening when Brooker returned the favour threading Kitson and the flame haired striker shot was going in but a superb save by Camp diverted the ball inches from the goal and away for a corner.

That turned out to be a turning point in the game as only a few minutes later Derby took the lead. It came from another cross from Derby's left hand side. A pin point ball found the head of Tommy Smith and his header nestled in the corner of the goal to break the deadlock.

Coppell acted by introducing Bobby Convey who looked bright on the right hand side.

The game looked up as with only ten minutes left Derby doubled their lead. The usually reliable Nicky Shorey was at fault when squandering possession in a dangerous position in he corner.

Tommy Smith won the ball and his cross found Marcus Tudgay who buried the ball in the roof of the net.

Reading did though give Derby fans a nervous fianle when Shorey made up for his error with a glorious free kick that left Lee Camp with no chance. And Reading could have got a point when Derby gave away another free kick this time on the corner of the edge of the box.

Shorey again took it and the ball whipped past everyone scraping the back post. Shaun Goater was also thrown on but after around five minutes added on at the end Derby came out victorious and Reading's poor away form continued.

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Full Time: Derby County 2:1 Reading

Man Of The Match: Paul Brooker

Reading's performance today was particularly poor, no player really stood out but for his determination and constant running at defenders, Paul Brooker get the MOTM award

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NEXT LEAGUE MATCH

14th September 2004, Madejski Stadium, 20:00 PM Kick Off

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