Millwall 0:1 Reading
The New Den
24th April 04
Attendance: TBC

Match Report

With an injury depleted squad, Steve Coppell was left with only 16 first team players for the game against the Lions. Bas Savage was handed a rare start on the right hand side of midfield with Steve Brooker not match fit though on the bench. Dean Gordon is ruled out for the rest of the season so he has returned to Coventry and meant Andy Hughes continued at left back. Ingimarsson was suspended so Newman filled in at centre back. Shaun Goater was also handed a first team start partnering the inform Dave Kitson.

Reading started well and had the majority of the early possession with the battle between Dennis Wise and Steven Sidwell looking an interesting one and it was Sidwell who was winning it has he looked dangerous going forward.

Reading's best goal early on came from an unlikely source, Captain Adie Williams. Dave Kitson's shot was blocked and when the rebound fell to Williams, is overhead kick was superbly saved by Marshall. Millwall were not really causing the Reading defence any problems and it was no surprise when Reading opened the scoring just after quarter of an hour. A corner to the near post was volleyed home by Shaun Goater to give him his 13th goal of the season. It was a good set piece with Coppell confirming after the game it was something Kevin Dillon has been working with the players on the raining ground with. It certainly had worked!

Reading continued to look the better side in a game that would make or break the season. As the half came to a close Millwall started dominating and only a top class save from Jamie Ashdown stopped them from drawing level, he made a terrific save to tip the ball onto the post and out of danger. Millwall did have to make a substitution before half time with the injured Danny Dicheo having to be replaced with Neil Harris.

Half Time: Millwall 0:1 Reading 

Millwall came out the second half a lot more dangerous and had the majority of the possession though unable to string to many decent chances together. Paul Ifill was looking the most dangerous down the right wing with Andy Hughes having to do a lot of defending.

Reading did have a couple of injuries with Bas Savage picking up a knock to be replaced by Dean Morgan and Salako was struggling but managed to continue for the rest of the game. The best chance Millwall had of getting an equaliser was from free kicks and with only a few minutes of normal time remaining, a free kick by Sweeney looked to be going in only to hit the post and somehow come out and be cleared.

Millwall fans knew it looked like the end of their Play Off hopes as they were set to fall below the Royals in the table. Another free kick in injury time to Millwall was rewarded but this time it went way over Ashdown's bar.

Full Time: Millwall 0:1 Reading

Man Of The Match: Ricky Newman. Played against is former club and had a stormer. Another performance that surely merits the utility man a new contract. 

Ref Watch: Did make some poor decisions and maybe should have sent off Dennis Wise for a reckless tackle on Steve Sidwell.

Next League Match

Reading vs West Bromwich Albion

Remember to get your ginger wigs and orange T-Shirts for this game as its Ginger day!

Madejski Stadium, 1st April, 3:00 PM Kick Off.
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