LATEST NEWS ON 'The Royals'
December 2005
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  • 31st December 2005 - Long Rescue

    • Shane Long's late equaliser earned Coca-Cola Championship leaders Reading a point as they extended their unbeaten league run to 26 matches with a 2-2 draw against 10-man Derby.

    Irishman Long scored his first goal in English football three minutes from time to cancel out Seth Johnson's 61st-minute strike for the Rams, who had Andrew Davies sent off with 20 minutes remaining.

    Johnson had given the Rams a first-half lead, but Kevin Doyle hit back within two minutes as 2005's Championship action came to an exciting close at Pride Park.

    The Rams made a spirited start but neither side was able to create a clear effort on goal until the 21st minute, when Danny Graham - playing the last game of his loan spell from Middlesbrough - turned neatly on the edge of the box, but his shot was directed straight at Marcus Hahnemann in the Reading goal.

    The home side made the breakthrough after 32 minutes when Tommy Smith beat the offside trap and got to the byline, before pulling the ball back to Johnson, who sidefooted home from six yards.

    It was the first goal the Royals have conceded away from home in more than seven hours of football, and Johnson's first goal since he returned to Pride Park earlier this season.

    But his joy was shortlived as the Royals hit back straight away through Doyle's 11th goal of the season, when he got in front of Davies to head Glen Little's cross past Lee Camp.

    Johnson shot straight at Hahnemann, and Little's attempted chip was easily caught by Camp as the half drew to a close.

    Inigo Idiakez drew a good save out of Hahnemann just after the restart, before Brynjar Gunnarsson's long-range effort missed the target for the visitors.

    Lee Holmes then missed a gilt-edged chance for the Rams, firing over when well placed in the box, but Johnson restored their lead after 61 minutes when the impressive Graham headed into his path and he rifled a 20-yard half-volley past Hahnemann.

    Royals boss Steve Coppell introduced Long - like Doyle a former Cork City player - for only his second appearance with 20 minutes left on the clock and, with his first touch, Long was brought down by Davies, who had already been booked, and referee Brian Curson wasted no time in showing him a second yellow card.

    It was the third red card of the season for the on-loan Middlesbrough man, and left his side a man down as they tried to hold on for a crucial win.

    But with just three minutes remaining, Nicky Shorey's corner found its way to Doyle at the back post, and he headed across goal to his countryman Long, who got up highest to level the scores.

    And it could have been even worse for the Rams in stoppage time but Marc Edworthy's header went narrowly over his own bar, and both sides had to settle for a point.


  • 30th December 2005 - Golbourne Set To Sign

    • Bristol City have agreed an undisclosed fee with Championship promotion chasers Reading for the transfer of defender Scott Golbourne.

    The left-back is due at the Madejski Stadium on Monday to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.

    If all goes to plan, Scott could complete the switch on the same day, in time to watch his new club in action against Cardiff City.

    Chairman Steve Lansdown told bcfc.co.uk:

    "Reading approached us with a deal, which I discussed fully with manager Gary Johnson and my fellow director Keith Dawe. While we are not in the business of selling our best young players, it was felt the offer was not only a good one for the football club but also one we had to make Scott aware of. The offer has now been accepted and Scott is free to speak with Reading. If the deal goes through we will be very sad to see Scott leave because he has developed well during his time at the club. However, it's a win-win situation because it gives Scott the chance to play at Championship, and possibly Premiership level, whilst helping achieve what we want to going forwards."

    The 17-year-old has made 16 appearances for City, while he has also been capped at both under-17 and under-19 level for England.

    If the deal goes through Scott, a cousin of former City defender Matthew Hill, will be the third player to have left Ashton Gate for Reading since 2003.

    Scott Murray joined the Royals before returning to City just eight months later, while Leroy Lita became Reading's most expensive player in the summer when he joined for £1m.

    The switch could fast track Scott to the Premiership, as Steve Coppell's table-toppers are currently 20 points clear of third-placed Leeds United with half the season gone.

  • 30th December 2005 - Rams Preview

    • Derby manager Phil Brown heads into the home clash with Reading able to select his starting line-up from a fully-fit first-team squad.

    Right-back Marc Edworthy is pushing for a recall after bouncing back from a knee injury and Paul Boertien has also returned to fitness after long-term knee problems of his own.

    Danny Graham will be available for the last time as the Middlesbrough striker's loan spell is due to expire after the Royals' visit.

    Centre-back Mo Konjic is certain to be absent, though, with the club in negotiations to terminate the Bosnian's contract.

    Reading boss Steve Coppell is set to make changes to his tiring side, despite a run of 10 consecutive Championship wins.

    Coppell will certainly keep faith with American goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, who successfully kept a clean sheet for the 16th time this season in the 2-0 win over Leicester.

    However, Coppell hinted he may rest the likes of midfielders Steve Sidwell and Bobby Convey.

    He said: "I will have to think about changes, but fortunately I have three really superb central midfielders challenging for those two positions."

    Stephen Hunt may be given the nod ahead of Convey after he replaced the American in the 71st minute against the Foxes.

    Striker Leroy Lita and winger Glen Little are likely to remain unavailable.

    Derby County V Reading
    Top Lge Scorers Goals Saturday 31/12 @ 5:15pm Top Lge Scorers Goals
    Idiakez 7 Referee: K Friend (Leicestershire) Doyle 10
    Bisgaard 4 Games: 4   Yellows: 11   Reds: 0 Kitson 9
    Davies 3 Last 4 Meetings Lita 6
    Blackstock 3 03/01/2005 Reading 0 1 Derby Little 5
    Peschisolido 3 11/09/2004 Derby 2 1 Reading Convey 4
    Lge Discipline   Y R 31/01/2004 Reading 3 1 Derby Lge Discipline   Y R
    Davies 4 2 23/08/2003 Derby 2 3 Reading Sidwell 5 0
    Idiakez 8 0 Little 4 0
    M Johnson 6 0 Head to Head Doyle 3 0
    S Johnson 6 0 Derby Draws Reading Gunnarsson 3 0
    Bisgaard 4 0 League 6 2 8 Kitson 3 0
    Lge Goal details:     FA Cup 0 0 0 Lge Goal details:    
    When: F A League Cup 1 1 2 When: F A
    first half 14 16 Total 7 3 10 first half 19 4
    second half 17 20 second half 33 8
    From: Games Since From:
    open play 16 18 4 a win 0 open play 25 9
    crosses 4 8 2 home win 0 crosses 7 2
    corners 0 4 3 away win 0 corners 4 0
    penalties 5 1 0 a defeat 25 penalties 3 0
    direct from free-kick 1 1 3 home defeat 12 direct from free-kick 2 0
    free-kicks 4 4 0 away defeat 13 free-kicks 5 1
    1 a score draw 10
    Total 31 36 2 a no score draw 15 Total 52 12
    0 conceding a goal 3
    1 scoring a goal 0
    Current Form (last 3 games - all competitions)
    28/12/2005 Palace Away Lost  0:2   28/12/2005 Leicester Home Won  2:0
    26/12/2005 Luton Home Drew  1:1   26/12/2005 Wolves Away Won  2:0
    17/12/2005 Cardiff Away Drew  0:0   17/12/2005 Millwall Away Won  2:0


  • 28th December 2005 - Ten In A Row


    • of the home faithful, and the three points were secured three minutes from full-time when Gunnarsson found the mark with a header.

    The Royals had gone into the match with a 20-point gap over third-placed Watford in the race to reach the Barclays Premiership, but struggled to produce the kind of form which has put them in such a commanding position.

    Strikers Dave Kitson and Doyle have both shown their scoring prowess so far this season but were largely very well marshalled by a determined defensive unit led by Rob Douglas.

    Scotland goalkeeper Douglas had quickly been called into action when he came to punch a free-kick curled in by Wales international John Oster after Kitson had been fouled by Alan Maybury.

    At the other end Royals goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann had to act smartly to come to claim an inswinging corner from Joe Hamill which threatened danger.

    Very little followed in the next half an hour or so, and it took until seven minutes before the break for Hamill to have the first shot of the game, although his drilled left-footed effort missed to the left of the target.

    Hamill was then on hand to clear another dangerous Oster free-kick as the home side pushed forward in pursuit of the opener.

    Douglas made the first save of the game in first-half injury time, after Nicky Shorey tried his luck from just outside the penalty area to no avail.

    And, seconds later at the other end, Mark de Vries fired in a shot from slightly further out only for Hahnemann to make a routine save.

    The first half had been dire in terms of entertainment value, although the second half did get off to a slightly more positive start.

    Within seconds of the restart Shorey fired in a shot that was well-saved by Douglas, before De Vries forced a similar stop from Hahnemann moments later.

    On the hour mark, the home side did take the lead when Doyle drilled home from 12 yards out.

    And, nine minutes later, the Irish striker had a decent chance to make it 2-0, only to push his shot wide from close range.

    Then, with 86 minutes on the clock, Gunnarsson scored the clincher as he headed home Shorey's left-wing cross.

    Doyle had a chance to add a third, which would have completely flattered Reading, but he headed wide from Stephen Hunt's right-wing corner.


  • 28th December 2005 - Foxes Preview

    • Influential winger Glen Little is almost certain to miss Reading's clash with Leicester after limping out of the Boxing Day win at Wolves with a knee injury.

    The 30-year-old had to be replaced early in the second half at Molineux and the problem could keep him out of the remainder of the Royals' festive fixtures.

    John Oster replaced Little, and the former Wales international is expected to continue in the role against the Foxes.

    Fellow midfielder Steve Sidwell returns after serving a one-match suspension against Wanderers, and manager Steve Coppell hinted there could be a surprise return from a persistent ankle injury for striker Leroy Lita.

    "He's very close but we'll know more after training," said Coppell.

    Midfielder Danny Tiatto will be missing from the Leicester line-up at the Madejski Stadium.

    The City captain must serve a one-game suspension after being sent off following two yellow cards during the 1-1 home draw with Millwall on Boxing Day.

    And defender Alan Sheehan will be forced to miss out too while serving the final instalment of a two-game ban.

    The game could come too soon for midfielder James Wesolowski, who is back in training after a broken shin, while Lee Morris is also short of match sharpness following a knee cartilage operation.

  • 26th December 2005 - Royals Slaughter Wolves

    • Reading's ninth consecutive Coca-Cola Championship victory stretched their lead at the top of the table to nine points as the Royals produced a commanding performance to triumph 2-0 at Molineux.

    Goals in each half from leading marksman Dave Kitson and USA international Bobby Convey saw Steve Coppell's side maintain their undefeated away record and extend their unbeaten run to a club record 24 league games.

    Kitson put the Royals in front in the 29th minute when he headed into the roof of the net past Wolves goalkeeper Stefan Postma.

    A raking throw by captain Graeme Murty helped create the chance. He set Glen Little free on the flank and the midfielder found Kitson, who made no mistake from eight yards.

    Convey sealed the points and rounded off a polished display by the Berkshire side with his fourth goal of the season in the 64th minute.

    The winger received the ball on the edge of the Wolves penalty area, before finding the bottom right-hand corner with a low left-footed drive.

    Both sides started brightly, but it was the league leaders who almost opened the scoring inside the first two minutes.

    Kitson headed against the crossbar twice in the space of five seconds following Convey's corner.

    Kitson, who had 12 goals to his name in all competitions this season before the game, struck the woodwork from the initial kick before heading the rebound back against the bar with an open goal at his mercy.

    Glenn Hoddle's side responded with a wave of attacks, one of which saw Kenny Miller narrowly miss Marcus Hahnemann's top right-hand corner with a curling effort from the edge of the area on eight minutes.

    Ki-Hyun Seol flashed a long-range drive wide of the post soon after.

    Kitson continued to cause the Wolves defence problems and might have done better than fire over the crossbar with a turn and shot midway through the half.

    But the Reading frontman would soon get his goal, and notched his 13th of the campaign just before the half hour when he headed home Little's pin-point centre.

    Postma kept his side in the game with a fine smothering save to deny Kevin Doyle before the break, and the on-loan Aston Villa stopper was on hand to repel a Brynjar Gunnarsson drive just after the restart.

    Rohan Ricketts fired over when well-positioned inside the box in the 53rd minute and that miss proved costly as Convey doubled Reading's advantage soon after.

    The 22-year-old scored his first goal in more than a month from 20-yards following Hahnemann's long goal-kick.

    Miller forced Hahnemann into some rare second-half action in the 70th minute, but his angled drive was easily fielded by the American.

    Doyle almost added a third for Reading at the death, but Postma parried the Irishman's effort to safety.


  • 24th December 2005 - Wolves Preview

    • Veteran midfielder Paul Ince is pushing for a recall ahead of Wolves' home clash with Reading.

    The 38-year-old midfield enforcer spent four months on the sidelines recovering from a torn thigh muscle before proving his fitness in a 90-minute reserve-team outing in midweek.

    Central defender Jody Craddock is back from a calf injury and Mark Davies has recovered from a hernia operation.

    But the game could come too soon for George Ndah as the striker has yet to complete his recovery from a hamstring strain, while fellow forward Carl Cort is certain to miss out once more following knee surgery.

    Jackie McNamara will also be absent thanks to cruciate knee ligament damage and goalkeeper Matt Murray remains short of match sharpness following an operation to repair his broken foot.

    Gabor Gyepes, who is set to make his move to Molineux permanent once the transfer window re-opens, is just one yellow card away from incurring a one-game suspension.

    Reading could be boosted by the return of striker Leroy Lita. The 20 year-old has been sidelined since suffering a recurrence of an ankle problem he sustained during the 3-0 win over Luton in August.

    But, after stepping up his rehabilitation recently, the England Under-21 international has a chance of being in contention.

    The Royals are definitely without the suspended Steve Sidwell, with Brynjar Gunnarsson set to replace him.

    James Harper and Chris Makin have both been ill recently but will be available.
    Wolverhampton Wanderers V Reading
    Top Lge Scorers Goals Saturday 17/12 @ 3pm Top Lge Scorers Goals
    Cort 9 Referee: G Laws (Tyne & Wear) Doyle 9
    Ganea 4 Games: 10   Yellows: 33   Reds: 1 Kitson 8
    Miller 4 Last 4 Meetings Lita 6
    Seol 4 30/04/2005 Reading 1 2 Wolves Little 5
    Cameron 2 04/12/2004 Wolves 4 1 Reading Sidwell 4
    Lge Discipline   Y R 14/05/2003 Reading 0 1 Wolves Lge Discipline   Y R
    Kennedy 5 0 10/05/2003 Wolves 2 1 Reading Sidwell 5 0
    Ganea 1 1 Little 4 0
    Gyepes 3 0 Head to Head Doyle 3 0
    Clarke 3 0 Wolves Draws Reading Gunnarsson 2 0
    Miller 3 0 League 14 4 10 Makin 2 0
    Lge Goal details:     FA Cup 2 0 0 Lge Goal details:    
    When: F A League Cup 0 0 2 When: F A
    first half 16 10 Total 16 4 12 first half 18 4
    second half 13 10 second half 30 8
    From: Games Since From:
    open play 12 11 0 a win 0 open play 25 9
    crosses 13 3 0 home win 0 crosses 7 2
    corners 2 4 2 away win 0 corners 4 0
    penalties 0 1 8 a defeat 23 penalties 3 0
    direct from free-kick 1 1 6 home defeat 11 direct from free-kick 2 0
    free-kicks 0 0 4 away defeat 12 free-kicks 4 1
    1 a score draw 8
    Total 29 20 3 a no score draw 13 Total 48 12
    1 conceding a goal 1
    0 scoring a goal 0
    Current Form (last 3 games - all competitions)
    17/12/2005 Leeds Home Won  1:0   17/12/2005 Millwall Away Won  2:0
    10/12/2005 Palace Away Drew  1:1   10/12/2005 Brighton Home Won  5:1
    03/12/2005 Ipswich Away Drew  1:1   03/12/2005 Luton Home Won  3:0


  • 22nd December 2005 - Reading Eye Bees and Spurs

    • Reading look set to pounce for Brentford defender Kevin O'Connor in the New Year.

    The Championship leaders have been given the go-ahead to strengthen their squad during the approaching transfer window, and it is reported that O'Connor heads manager Steve Coppell's list of potential targets.

    Although the former Crystal Palace boss is refusing to reveal names, The Royals are also understood to be preparing a raid on Tottenham in an attempt to lure stopper Calum Davenport to the Madejski Stadium.

    The England Under-21 star has previously been allowed to leave White Hart Lane on loan, although Spurs may decide to cut him loose if they receive the right offer.

    "We've got our eye on the market, but that's all I'll say," Coppell told the Reading Chronicle. "I won't discuss individuals. However, it's important to take stock at this time of year when there's an opportunity in January."

  • 22nd December 2005 - Sonko Puts Royals First

    • Once again, Ibrahima Sonko has turned down the chance to play for his country, prefering instead to dedicate his efforts towards Royals' promotion push. The centre-back received an international call-up for Senegal's African Cup of Nations campaign in January. Had Sonko decided to join up with the national team he could have missed up to 5 games for Reading.

  • 17th December 2005 - Sidders Ban

    • Steve Sidwell will be suspended for 1 game and miss the Boxing Day clash at Wolves after picking up his 5th yellow card of the season at Millwall.

  • 16th December 2005 - Lions 0 Royals 3



    • Dave Kitson's missed second-half penalty for Reading - following Craig's professional foul on Doyle - proved irrelevant as Reading moved six points clear of Sheffield United ahead of the Christmas programme.

    Although they were clearly second-best, bottom-of-the-table Millwall troubled Reading in the opening phase of the game, and were so close to taking the lead after 19 minutes.

    Bruce Dyer released Josh Simpson on the left, and the Canadian's superb far-post cross was headed against the bar by Alan Dunne, before Royals skipper Graeme Murty nodded the loose ball behind.

    It appeared as though the half would end goalless, but in the 40th minute Kitson fed Doyle inside the box, and Doyle lifted the ball into the path of Sidwell, who smashed in a right-footed volley that gave keeper Colin Doyle no chance.

    Three minutes later, Sidwell robbed David Livermore and sent Bobby Convey clear, but the American's left-footed effort was kept out by the right leg of Colin Doyle.

    Reading missed a wonderful chance to put the game beyond their hosts two minutes after the re-start. Craig was shown the red card for bringing down Doyle inside the penalty area, but Kitson saw his kick saved by Colin Doyle before Paul Robinson produced a superb tackle to prevent Reading's top scorer netting the rebound.

    At the other end, Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann saved well from Bruce Dyer and Ben May, but the visitors exposed 10-man Millwall ruthlessly on the break - only to waste some terrific chances.

    In the 53rd minute, Glen Little charged 50 yards before setting up Convey, who shot wide with only Doyle to beat.

    Millwall's on-loan goalkeeper then made a fine stop to deny Sidwell from 20 yards, before Little played a one-two with Sidwell and lifted the ball past the left post from 10 yards.

    But the pressure eventually told in the 68th minute when Doyle beat his namesake with a quality finish.

    The Irish striker brushed past a weak challenge from Zak Whitbread and guided the ball into the top-right corner from a difficult angle seven yards from goal.

    There was still time for Doyle to save brilliantly from Little and Kitson as Millwall were over-run.



  • 16th December 2005 - Lions Preview

    • Bottom host top when Millwall take on Championship leaders Reading at The New Den on Saturday.

    The Lions are desperate to get back to winning ways after taking just a single point from their last three league matches.

    The South East Londoners face a daunting task to claim maximum points against The Royals, with Steve Coppell's side having registered only one defeat this season - that coming on the opening day against Plymouth Argyle.

    The Berkshire club were imperious in their 5-1 thrashing of another struggling side in Brighton & Hove Albion last Saturday, as Reading continue their push for Premiership promotion.

    Millwall have selection problems in attack, with manager Colin Lee without the services of Carl Asaba (back), Barry Hayles (knee) and Carlos Fanguiero (ankle).

    Striker Ben May, who missed last Saturday's defeat at Coventry City due to illness, has recovered and is back in the squad.

    Defender Matt Lawrence is suspended after being sent off at Coventry, but left back Tony Craig is available again serving a one-match suspension last weekend.

    Midfielder Jermaine Wright has returned to parent club Leeds United following a three-month loan spell at The New Den.

    Coppell, meanwhile, is unlikely to make any changes for the match at Millwall, with Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle set to continue in attack.

    Striker Leroy Lita is out until Christmas with an ankle injury, though his recovery is going well at present.

    Millwall V Reading
    Top Lge Scorers Goals Saturday 17/12 @ 3pm Top Lge Scorers Goals
    Hayles 4 Referee: A R Hall (West Midlands) Kitson 8
    May 3 Games: 19   Yellows: 69   Reds: 6 Doyle 8
    Dyer 2 Last 4 Meetings Lita 6
    Asaba 2 20/08/2005 Reading 5 0 Millwall Little 5
    Hutchison 2 05/04/2005 Reading 2 1 Millwall Convey 3
    Lge Discipline   Y R 28/08/2004 Millwall 1 0 Reading Lge Discipline   Y R
    Morris 5 2 24/04/2004 Millwall 0 1 Reading Little 4 0
    Ifill 4 1 Sidwell 4 0
    Dunne 6 0 Head to Head Doyle 3 0
    Hayles 3 1 Millwall Draws Reading Gunnarsson 2 0
    Livermore 5 0 League 33 17 33 Makin 2 0
    Lge Goal details:     FA Cup 1