LATEST NEWS ON 'The Royals'
MARCH 2002
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31st March 2002 - Pardew Fuming About Penalty

Reading manager, Alan Pardew, was absolutley fuming about the strange penalty decision that allowed Bristol City to equalise at 2:2 in yesterday's thrilling draw at Ashton Gate. Everyone in the ground was astonished by the penalty award when a harmless cross drifted behind for what seemed to be a goal-kick. Even the City players were retreating for the goal kick and were amazed to find that they had been gifted a lifeline. It is a complete mystery as to why the official made the award.

30th March 2002 - Points shared In 6 Goal Thriller

Reading gained a valuable point in a 6 goal thriller at Ashton Gate. However, the Royals will have mixed emotions after having taken a 2:0 lead inside just 5 minutes of an incredible opening period. Within just 15 minutes of kick-off, there were 2 penalties and 5 goals.

Andy Hughes opened the scoring with a far-post header from Nicky Forster's cross and, just 2 minutes later, Hughes was fouled in the box to earn Royals a penalty which forster duly smashed home. The Joy of reading's 3500 travelling fans was shortlived though, as City pulled a goal back almost immediately. Then came a moment of real controversy as a City cross drifted behind for what everyone thought was a goal-kick. To everyone's astonishment the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty to City which was fired home for the equaliser. Just as everyone was trying to believe what was happening, Royals took the lead again when Kevin Watson curled home a free-kick from 30 yards. Thankfully, things then began to settle down after that and the Royals fans could regain their breath.

Reading were competing well in all departments but Bristol City came out strong in the second half. Just when it seemed as if Reading had weathered the early storm, City equalised again from what looked to be an acute angle. Although there were no further goals, there was plenty of action in an open game and both teams had further chances to win it.

Although I'm sure that most people would have settled for a point before the game began, the way in which the game unfolded it felt more like 2 points snatched away. With Brighton and Brentford both winning, what seemed to be a healthy lead a few weeks ago has now been whittled away, meaning that victory over Northampton on Monday is an absolute must.

23rd March 2002 - Royals 2 Latics 2

The Royals were held to their 4th draw in 5 games by an Oldham Athletic side that were hammered 1:7 at home by Cardiff last week. Things started brightly for Reading when John Mackie headed home at the far post from a Kevin Watson corner. Minutes later, Royals thought they had increased the lead but the 'goal' was ruled out for offside. As with most of the officials' decisions during the game, this one seemed somewhat dubious. Reading then had stron appeals for a penalty when Forster was blatantly dragged to the ground, but the referee instead awarded a free-kick against Forster for backing in to the defender. With the MadStad crowd becoming increasingly frustrated, Oldham scored an equaliser. Again, the officials had a large part to play as a corner was awarded when everyone in the ground could see that the original cross had gone behind for a goal kick. Royals regained the lead on the stroke of half time when Parkinson knocked the ball home with his knee. However, Reading were disappointing after the break and allowed Oldham to dominate for long periods. the Latics finally got their reward with a simple free kick routine 15 minutes from time. A last minute free-kick from Nicky Forster smashed against the crossbar, but it would have been rough justice on the visitors had Reading snatched all 3 points. The only consolation for Royals was that rivals Brighton also dropped 2 home points against lowly Notts County. Things are now beginning to get too close for comfort and Reading need to turn draws into victories if they are not to be overhauled in the promotion race.

20th March 2002 - Branch Signs On Loan

Reading have signed winger Michael Branch on loan until the end of the season.

16th March 2002 - Hughes Suspended

The Royals got back to winning ways with an impressive performance at Saltergate. A nicky Forster wonder goal opened the scoring on the half hour and Jamie Cureton increased the lead just before the break. Reading were rarely troubled in the second period and ran out comfortable winners to get back on the promotion trail. With all the main rivals also gaining victory, this could prove to be a vital result.

14th March 2002 - Watson Signs At Last

Reading have finally secured the signing of Kevin Watson. The Royals have been trailing the midfielder ever since a successful loan spell at the MadStad earlier in the season, but Millers boss Ronnie Moore had consistently refused to let him go. However, in recent weeks Watson has been the target of a good deal of abuse from the Rotherham fans and Moore felt he had no choice but to allow him to leave. The fee is believed to be £150,000 rising to £200,000 depending on appearances.

9th March 2002 - Hughes Suspended

Royals midfielder Andy Hughes picked up a booking during the top of the table clash with Brighton. By my reckoning that was his 5th booking of the season which should result in a 1 match suspension for the home game against Oldham in a fortnight.

9th March 2002 - Big Game, Big Let Down

The Royals returned to winning ways with an impressive performance at Saltergate. A wonder strike from the ever dangerous Nicky Forster after 30 minutes, and a second goal by Jamie Cureton just before the break was enough to earn all 3 points. It was an important victory for Reading with all their main rivals also winning, but gets the promotion train back on the rails after 3 successive draws. Graeme Murty was sidelined by a thigh injury meaning that Andy Hughes took his place at right-back. This meant that recent signing Kevin Watson was able to start his first game as a Royal in the centre of midfield.

14th March 2002 - Watson Signs At Last

Reading have finally captured the signing of Kevin Watson from Rotherham. After a successful loan spell earlier in the season, Royals have been keen to make the midfielder a permanent addition to the squad, but Millers boss Ronnie Moore was reluctant to let him leave. However, after receiving a good deal of stick from the Rotherham fans (they wouldn't know a good player if one slapped them around the face), Moore had to let Watson leave for a fee of £200,000

9th March 2002 - Big Game, Big Let Down

It was all set for a magnificent occassion - 1st versus 2nd, a full house of more than 22,000. What a let down. The significance of the game seemed to get the better of both sides, with defences very much on top. There were very few chances, but those that there were mostly fell in Brighton's favour. Considering the number of people at the game, the atmosphere was largely dull with neither the team nor supporters able to inspire the other. For the third game running, however, the Royals can thank a slice of good fortune for at least gaining a point, as Brighton had a 'goal' disallowed in injury time. So, whilst the game may have been a big disappointment and another 2 points dropped, at least the Royals are not losing. That may be crucial in the long run as their lead is gradually being whittled away. With probably the toughest run-in of all the teams at the top, there is great deal of work still to be done and Reading will be hoping to return to winning ways quickly.

5th March 2002 - Royals Held Again

Reading were held to a 2:2 draw for the second consecutive game against lowly opposition. Royals started brightly against a Bournemouth side that looked in disarray for the first 30 minutes. The Royals took an early lead thanks to a deflected effort from Cureton and everything looked set for a good evening. Then the wheels began to fall off and it was Reading who began to get the jitters. In the second half, the Cherries gained an early equaliser and began to take control of the game. It was no shock when they took a 2:1 lead but the Royals restored parity thanks to a Hughes header at the far post. For the 2nd time in 4 days, Reading conceded a penalty - this time in the last minute. It seemed as if the Royals would end up empty handed but fortune shone upon them as the spot kick was blazed over the bar. In injury time an audacious effort from Cureton cannoned back off the crossbar when it looked as if the effort was going to secure an undeserved victory. After a promising start to the game, this was a very nervy performance and they will need to regain their composure for the big game against Brighton on Saturday.

3rd March 2002 - Butler On Mend

Good news for Reading is that striker Martin Butler is well on the way to recovery. After what seemed a horrific triple injury back in October, Butler has made a remarkable return to near fitness. It is thought that he could even feature for the reserves in just 2 weeks time. I'm sure that all Royals fans will be looking forward to seeing the return of the popular forward.

2nd March 2002 - U's Rock Royals

Reading were given the fright of their lives at bottom club Cambridge this afternoon. The U's scored twice in the first half to lead 2:0 at the break, much to the disbelief of everyone. The Royals just never got going in the first half, but they could hardly have expected to find temselves in such a situation. Manager alan Pardew obviously fired up his troops during the interval, and Reading came storming back to dominate the 2nd period. Adi Viveash gave renewed hope with a stooping header and then pressure from Forster and Cureton led to the Royals equaliser. There is some debate as to whether it went straight in from Forster, or if Henderson or the U's defender got the last touch. Officially, it has been credited as an own goal, but who cares. With the Royals now in full flow and searching for the winner, it looked as if all their efforts to recover the situation would be in vain as Cambridge were awarded a penalty 12 minutes from time. But Whitehead came to the rescue and saved the spot kick brilliantly low to his right. Reading continued to push forward and were twice thwarted by the crossbar, with an efffort from substitute Harper particularly unlucky.

So, whilst a draw against the bottom team may seem like 2 points dropped, I think Reading will be grateful for the point after the hole they had to dig themselves out of.