Away day blues as Forest take all three points
By Matthew Grant
November 21 2004
Reading produced another uninspiring away performance to leave the City ground empty handed and blow the chance to go top of the lead. To make things worse leading scorer Dave Kitson was forced off through injury in the second half.
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COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP | |||||||
| FOREST | 1 |
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| Taylor | |||||||
| READING | 0 | ||||||
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MATCH REPORT | |||||||
| Reading's away form continues to be a cause for concern as second bottom Nottingham Forest chalked up their third win of the season and give something to smile about for under fire boss Joe Kinnear..
Gareth Taylor's goal halfway through the second half gave Forest all three points in a game which saw Dave Kitson go off through injury and Reading's top marksman is now a doubt for Saturdays encounter against Wigan Athletic. Forest started the brighter with the Royals back four being the busier. Andy Reid in particular looking a constant danger. Reading did have a spell of pressure and the visitors first opportunity was from a Nicky Shorey free kick but his effort was a comfortable save for Paul Gerrard. Forest then opened the scoring on 26 minutes when Gareth Taylor tucked away a rebound after Paul Evans hit a thumping shot from the edge of the box that it the bar. Reading looked slow to react leaving Taylor with plenty of time to shot low past the stretching Hahnemann. Reading never looked like getting back in it in the first 45 minutes with Dave Kitson looking a yard off the pace and still suffering from a hamstring injury. Half Time: Nottingham Forest 1:0 Reading Steve Coppell's men showed much more desire in the second half as they looked to search for an equaliser. Forest defensively looked very solid with Michael Dawson looking a cut above the rest. It should not be too long before the Forest defender will be playing his trade in the Premiership. Reading though lacked any sort of cutting edge upfront and little service coming from the wings, in particular Dean Morgan unable to make any real impact. Marlon King could have finished off Reading when he squandered two one on ones with Marcus Hahnemann. Luckily King and Forest would not regret the missed opportunities. Steve Coppell decided to change things around firstly with Glen Little coming back from injury to replace Lloyd Owusu and then Dave Kitson being forced off with a reoccurrence of his hamstring problem and be replaced with Paul Brooker. It meant Andy Hughes partnered Dean Morgan upfront. With time running out Reading looked to get the ball in the final third forcing a number of corners and throw-ins. Dean Morgan fired over on the turn after a cross in the box and then Reading could have had a penalty when Dawson pushed Andy Hughes to the floor but Mr Rennie waved play on. Similar to Plymouth a couple of weeks back, Reading only started playing in the second half but this time their was no late equaliser and Reading blew the chance to go top. The Royals stay third with Ipswich and Sunderland both playing tomorrow. To see a round-up of all today's Championship results please Click Here Full Time: Nottingham Forest 1:0 Reading Man Of The Match: Ibrahima Sonko Stood out from a very average team performance today, did well in the air and got forward when possible in the late stages Why not have your say on the game, visit the 1871Royals Message Board
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NEXT LEAGUE MATCH | |||||||
| Reading Vs Wigan Athletic
27th November 2004, Madejski Stadium. 15:00 PM Kick Off *Please Note this game is not completely sold out for Reading fans. Wigan supporters should contact their ticket office for availability. | |||||||
