Superb home form continues as Royals beat Preston

COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP

MATCH REPORT

The Royals fantastic home form continued as they beat manager less Preston North End at the Madejski.

The win also put memories of the poor performance at Derby at the weekend behind them and moved Reading up to fifth in the table.

It was an early goal by Dave Kitson that sent them on the way.

The goal was gifted to Reading when highly rated keeper, Andy Lonergan failed to catch Paul Brooker's cross after colliding with fellow team mate Youl Mawene,. The ball fell to Forster who found Kitson and he smashed the ball home.

Preston after this look to get back in the game with Eddie Lewis and then Diksu Etwuu from a header coming close to levelling the game up.

Reading though stepped up another gear and doubled their lead through striker Nicky Forster.

Paul Brooker again played a dominant part in the goal threading the ball through to Forster who held off his man and fire the ball low and out of arms reach of Lonergan to give Reading a two goal margin.

The rest of the half petered out before late drama when a sceptical free kick was awarded to Preston right on the edge of Reading's box.

David Healy had a strike and the ball found its way into the bottom corner of Hahnemann's goal to give Preston a lifeline and something to cheer about for the small contingent of away fans.

Half Time: Reading 2:1 Preston

Reading were made to defend large parts of the second half. Though Preston never created too many chances.

Reading were more then happy to sit back and soak up the pressure while adopting the long ball strategy which had been vastly criticised by many Reading supporters.

Preston so nearly did take a point back up North with them. With only ten minutes to go a cross in the box from Lewis found the head of Richard Creswell but he somehow missed the target and hit the stanchion behind the goal such to the relief of Reading fans.

Only a few minutes later North End were made to pay for the miss.

From a Preston attack Nicky Forster picked up the ball in his own half and managed to out compete four Preston players before slotting the ball home in the bottom left hand corner of the goal and seal the three points for The Royals.

It is sure to be up there with some of the best goals of this season. It secured the three points and keeps Reading's 100% record at home.

Full Time: Reading 3:1 Preston

Man Of The Match: Nicky Forster

Two well taken goals especially the second which will be up there already for goal of the season.

Why not have your say on the game, visit the 1871Royals Message Board

NEXT LEAGUE MATCH

18th September 2004, Madejski Stadium, 15:00 PM Kick Off

Please Click Here for Ticket Information regarding this game.