Right from the off Sunderland went at Reading with Kevin Kyle going through but Jamie Ashdown doing well though if the ball did go in it would not have counted because Kyle was ruled offside. Sunderland continued to press and it was easy to see why they are in the the semi finals of the FA Cup and on the brink of the Play Off's with games in hand. Phil Babb also had a good opportunity but his header was straight at Ashdown.

Reading were just unable to really create anything with the wind not helping the cause as the any long ball up field ended up in the wrong direction. Reading were unable to come up with any really chances in the first half so they went in at half time at level terms but Sunderland looked much the better team

Half Time: Reading 0:0 Sunderland

The second half continued in the same way as the first as Sunderland looked to break the deadlock. They had a number of good opportunities to do so with the best falling to Paul Thirwell after the ball fell to him at the edge of the box but his shot went way over the bar, to the relief of Jamie Ashdown. The strong 17,000 crowd were watching a whitewash as Sunderland continued to press with there goalkeeper, Mart Poom still not been tested by the Royals. There was a large following of Sunderland fans who had made the very long journey down from the North East with around 3,000 occupying the South Stand. Reading fans also had came out in large numbers on a very wet and bitter day only to see another poor home performance. If the club want to increase home attendances then the team need to be playing well to do so. They only seem to play well away from home!

The breakthrough for the away team finally arrived on the 72nd minute mark. A great cross from captain George McCartney was met with the head of former Rotherham United forward, Darren Byfield who was making his first start for the Black Cats. He had also scored the equaliser in midweek against Stoke and was rewarded with his first start at Reading. It was safe to say that the game was now effectively over for the Royals as it looked like they would not be able to get back in it. 

Sunderland though doubled their lead within a minute of the first, a ball through to Tommy Smith and his shot was well blocked by Ashdown but Reading did not clear it and the ball was then cleared off the line by Steve Brown only for his header to fall to the feat of Smith who slotted home. It was more terrible defending from Reading.

It was not all good news for Sunderland though as Jeff Whitley was sent off for the second time in a couple of weeks after he picked up his second yellow card late on after a foul on James Harper

Reading's first real shot on target finally came on the 90 minute mark after a good run from Morgan, but his shot was well saved by Poom. That's as good as it got as the referee blew for full time a few minutes later.

Full Time: Reading 0:2 Sunderland

Man Of The Match: No on really stood out today. It was a poor performance.

Ref Watch: Not bad. Got most key decisions correct.

Next League Match

Coventry City vs Reading

Highfield Road, Tuesday 27th  March, 3:00 PM Kick Off - For Ticket information regarding this game please Click Here