LATEST NEWS ON 'The Royals'
December 2002
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  • 26th December 2002 - Boxing Day Blues

    • A last gasp goal from Jamie Cureton saw the Royals get back to winning way at the Madstad. The game was entering stoppage time when County keeper made a dreadful blunder, palming what should have been a simple catch straight into the path of the grateful striker to fire home the winner. Although Reading left it late, it was no more than they deserved having dominated the majority of an entertaining encounter

    The Royals got off to the perfect start as Sammy Igoe, who was undoubtedly man of the match, burst forward and played the ball to an unmarked Nathan Tyson just inside the box. The young striker took one touch before firing inside the far post to score his first senior goal for the Royals. Reading's joy was shortlived, however, as just 3 minutes later Derby were awarded a penalty. Igoe was tracking back to block a cross and could do nothing as the ball hit his arm. It was unlucky on the Royals but a correct decision. Craig Burley did not waste the opportunity to score his first goal for over 14 months and draw County level. For the remainder of the half, Reading took the game to their opponents but found the Derby rearguard in resolute form. Tyson and Igoe were causing a lot of difficulties for the visiting full-backs, but reading were not able to convert the chances that came their way.

    The second half continued in much the same vain with reading pouring forward at every opportunity. In an attempt to find the finishing touch, Pardew sent on Salako and Henderson in place of Tyson and Butler (who looked out of sorts all afternoon). Tyson received a standing ovation from the Royals fans as he left the pitch - in contrast, Salako entered the game to a chorus of boos. However, it was the winger who had a part to play in the finale. Salako's cross was over-hit and evaded the waiting forwards, but the ball was retrieved by Newman who chipped the ball back in. Again, it was a poor ball and should have been easily collected by the keeper, but instead he gave the Royals a belated Christmas present.

  • 26th December 2002 - Boxing Day Blues

    • Reading suffered the Boxing Day Blues at Highfield Road as they went down 2:0 to Coventry City. It was the Royals 3rd defeat in a row and their 4th game without scoring.

    There was little to choose between the teams in general play, but the Sky Blues were able to score 2 good goals whilst Reading looked as if they wouldn't find the net if they played until next Christmas. It is a concern that will need to be addressed if the Royals are to maintain the kind of form that has seen them climb into play-off contention. Although Reading did managed more attempts at goal than they had done at Forest, they were all from long range and never threatened the goal. Indeed, the Royals only shot on target came in the final minute - from keeper Marcus Hahnemann who had ventured forward at a corner. That about sums up the problem Reading are having in the final third of the pitch at the moment.

  • 22nd December 2002 - Fozzy Worry

    • There is injury concern over Nicky Forster, who limped off after only 31 minutes during the defeat at Nottm Forest yesterday. Fozzy was holding the back of his thigh and first impressions indicated a possible thigh strain. With the Royals struggling in front of goal of late, they can ill afford to be without their most lively forward. Let us hope that it is nothing more than a slight pull and that Forster is able to recover quickly. To add to the Royals woes, fellow strike partner Anthony Rougier collected his 5th booking of the season. He will now serve an automatic 1 match suspension and will miss the game at home to Leicester on New Year's Day (1pm KO).

  • 21st December 2002 - Forest 2 Royals 0

    • Reading suffered their 2nd defeat in a row as Nottm Forest ran out comfortable winners at the City Ground. The Royals were up against it after just 4 minutes after David Johnson gave the hosts an early lead with an excellent finish - his 21st of the season already. For the rest of the first half, Reading were on the back foot although they did restrict Forest to only one other effort on target. James Harper, who had a fine game, was trying valiantly in the centre of midfield, but all too often there was simply no outlet and Royals rarely threatened.

    In the second half, Reading improved and had much more of the game. Ironically though, it was Forest who were creating the scoring opportunities and it was no surprise when Harewood scored their 2nd goal to seal victory.

    At the end of the game, Forest manager Paul Hart went on to the pitch to remonstrate with the referee who had sent off Jack Lester for a second yellow card. Anyone at the game will be able to understand his anger as the referee was truly awful. It seemed as if he wanted to award a free-kick if a player went within a yard of an opponent. There was not a bad tackle in the game and yet he somehow saw fit to book 3 Forest players and send one off. He also booked Rougier for an innocuous challenge.

  • 15th December 2002 - Royals Cut Down By Blades

    • Reading's 7 match run without conceding a goal finally came to an end at the MadStad. Sheffield United scored 2 second half goals without reply to run out worthy winners in this battle for the play-offs.

    The Royals never really got into gear as a very good Blades outfit closed down quickly and prevented the hosts from playing. After doing the groundwork in the first half, the visitors then stepped it up in attack during the 2nd period and the Royals simply had no answer.

    The opening goal was a well worked move that left Graeme Murty on his backside before on-loan Jon Harley neatly clipped the ball over Hahnemann. Fifteen minutes from time the game was sealed as Adi Williams totally left Dean Windass in the box to head home unchallenged.

    So the run had to end sometime, but the test now is whether the Royals can bounce back as they face a tough run of fixtures over Xmas and the New Year.

  • 8th December 2002 - FA Cup 3rd Rd Draw

    • Reading have been drawn away to fellow Division 1 side Walsall in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. Although the Royals won there earlier in the season, thanks to a brace from Andy Hughes, the Saddlers have a proud cup tradition and are sure to provide stiff opposition. The game will take place at the Bescott Stadium on Saturday 4th January. The full 3rd Round draw is as follows:

    Leicester v Bristol City
    Scunthorpe or Carlisle v Leeds
    Gillingham v Sheffield Weds
    Chelsea v Middlesbro
    Ipswich v Morecombe
    PNE v Bristol Rovers or Rochdale
    Man City v Liverpool
    Shrewsbury v Everton
    Southend or Bournemouth v Crew
    Plymouth v Dagenham & Redbridge
    Cambridge or Northampton v Millwall
    Bolton v Sunderland
    Darlington v Farnborough
    Walsall v Reading
    Fulham v Birmingham
    Stoke v Wigan
    West Ham v Nottm Forest
    Charlton v Exeter
    Sheffield Utd v Cheltenham
    Aston Villa v Blackburn
    Cardiff v Coventry
    Wolves v Newcastle
    Southampton v Spurs
    Norwich v Brighton
    Arsenal v Oxford
    Grimsby v Burnley
    WBA v Bradford
    Rotherham v Wimbledon
    Brentford v Derby
    Blackpool v Crystal Palace
    Man Utd v Portsmouth
    Macclesfield v Watford

  • 7th December 2002 - Royals Match Top Dogs

    • A record crowd at the MadStad (23,462) saw the Royals match Division One leaders Portsmouth all the way. Indeed, it was Reading who had slightly the better of a closely fought contest.

    Although scoring opportunities were at a premium, it was an interesting encounter between two in-form sides. Yet again, the Royals defence coped comfortably to extend an impressive record of clean sheets to 7 consequetive games. Pompey may be the leading scorers in the country, but they rarely had a sniff off goal Hahnemann was untroubled in the Royals goal. Former Reading favourite, Shaka Hislop, was far the busier keeper and the visitors were grateful for two fine stops just before half time.

    In the second half, things were even more tight but the Royals sensed that victory was there for the taking. Manager Alan Pardew changed his formation and brought on both Butler and Cureton in the final 20 minutes. However, the closest Reading came to grabbing the winner were a drive from Forster that balzed just over the bar, and a rasping effort from Adi Williams that whistled just past the post with Hislop beaten. However, it was not to be, but the Royals can be rightly pleased with their performance. With none of the other top sides winning, it was a point well earned.

    At the end of the game, Royals fans gave a standing ovation to Matthew Upson who has now completed his loan spell from Arsenal. Let's hope that Reading's fine defensive record can continue without him.

  • 5th December 2002 - Live Sky Date

    • The Royals home game against Gillingham has been selected for live coverage on Sky TV. As a result, the match has been put back to Monday 10th February with a 19:45 kick-off.