By Matthew Grant
November 15 2003

Reading secured back to back one nill victories with a hard fought win over Dennis Wise's Millwall. The win put Reading in the play-off places and two points above Pardew's West Ham. A great day for all! Reading were without key players, Adrian Williams and Scott Murray but welcomed back Steve Sidwell after suspension. Ricky Newman started at the back and Andy Hughes was prefered to Bas Savage an the right. It was Dennis Wise's first game in charge as permanent player/manager of Millwall. Though he could not play due to suspension.

Reading started brightly and dominated most of the play. Reading were then awarded a penalty early in the first half when Paul Ifil took out Nicky Shorey in the box. Andy Hughes stepped up to take it but it was saved by Tony Warner. Reading continued to pile on the pressure resriting Millwall to only half chances. Though Reading did not have to wait much longer to open the scoring. Goater did well to win the ball in midfield and spray the ball to the right wing to Sidwell where he put the ball into the box where Salako was there to slot it home, via a small deflection.

The Royals managed to hold onto half time but with a large amount of luck. One of Millwall's best oppotunities in the first half fell to Paul Ifil who beat Hannemann to the ball on the edge of the box only to go and shot and to slip and see that ball cleared by Graeme Murty, who was depurtising as captain.

Half Time: Reading 1:0 Millwall

Into the second half and Reading looked the more likely team to score with chances falling to Shaun Goater and Nicky Forster. Reading though played much of the last 20 minutes in there own half due to Millwall putting heavy pressure on the back four. Though they could not find there way to goal. Millwall who were missing most of there strikers today were unable to find that killer ball to unloack the Reading defence.

Neil Harris is out injured and Bob Peters was out through suspension. They had also lost highly rated forward Richard Saddlier who sadly had to retire at the age of 23 due to injury. Right at the end Reading could have finished it off, Hughes got to the byline but his ball into the box was poor. They managed to hang on and record another win and another clean sheet.

Full Time: Reading 1:0 Millwall

Man Of The Match: John Salako, Ever since Coppell arrived he has improved and was again outstanding. For a 34 year old he is really doing well and cannot be dropped. His crossing is good and expirence is proving a big asset to this young team.

Ref Watch: Was poor on a number of decisions.

Attendance: Just over 14,000 of which 2,000 were Millwall.