Derby complete double over goal shy Royals

COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP

MATCH REPORT

Steve Coppell kept faith with the side from Gillingham on Saturday and The Royals and started very well creating a number of good openings. Reading though failed to take any of their openings the best chances of which fell to Lloyd Owusu whose shot from 12 yards out which was blocked by Lee Camp and later on Nicky Forster rounded Camp but was unable to finish, the ball fell to Glen Little whose shot was blocked by Forster.

Reading though paid for their missed opportunities as Derby launched a counter attack in injury time of the first half which resulted in Tommy Smith giving The Rams the lead. A long ball up field was not dealt with by Ibrahima Sonko or Ivar Ingimarsson and Smith was able to round Hahnemann and finish calmly.

Half Time: Reading 0:1 Derby County

Reading dominated large spells of the second half like the first but were unable to find the net for the third game running. A clear worry for manager Steve Coppell. though this again was not down to the lack of openings.

The best chance for an equaliser fell to Nicky Forster but with an open goal Forster hit the ball on the turn and put the ball well over the bar. The striker is clearly out of form after failing to register a goal since returning from injury and missing two sitters in the space of a week. So its no surprise Coppell is looking in the transfer market for a new striker.

Reading's best outlet was again Glen Little his trickery caused plenty of problems but the ball somehow managed to not find its way into the Derby net. Dean Morgan was introduced to replace Andy Hughes and the substitute came a whisker away from grapping an equaliser but his header from a Glen Little cross went just past the post.

Derby hung on to claim all three points, the first team to do so at the Madejski Stadium this season in the League and Reading failed to take the chance of going second in the League. A new striker is a must if Reading want to get back to form with the absence of Dave Kitson. Les Ferdinand and Neil Shipperley both being linked with the club.

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Full Time: Reading 0:1 Derby County

Man Of The Match: Andy Hughes

Was full of energy and did well down the left wing with a number of good crosses, it was just a shame there was no one in the box to take advantage.

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NEXT CUP MATCH

8th January 2005, Madejski Stadium, 3:00 PM Kick Off

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15th January 2005, Turf Moor, 3:00 PM Kick Off

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