COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP

MATCH REPORT

Stoke had many spells of pressure during the game but did not have too many efforts at goal. Reading's best effort early on fell to Steve Sidwell who after having his first shot blocked, hit an effort wide of Ed De Goey's goal.

Probably Reading's best move of the game created the only goal that gave The Royals the points, good work by Dean Morgan, who started on the wing instead of Bobby Convey to get to the byline and then hit a low cross was met by Kitson who bundled the goal home.

Reading though failed to build on the lead and instead Stoke looked the more threatening admittedly without really testing Hahnemann in his goal. Stoke's best opportunity came when ex Royal Carl Asaba's shot from a tight angle was parried well by Hahnemann only for the ball to miss the head of Ade Akinbiyi by a whisker and go for a corner.

Half Time: Reading 1:0 Stoke City

Into the second half and Reading continued to struggle to really have control of the game. An effort early on in the second half fell to Stoke's John Halls whose long range effort was well saved by Hahnemann.

Tony Pulis's afternoon was not getting any better as first choice keeper, Ed De Goey was forced to come off injured and be replaced with ex Everton keeper Steve Simonsen replacing him.

The hosts were more then happy to play the counter attack and hit the Potters as they searched for an equaliser. James Harper did well to create an opening after neat footwork but he dragged his shot past Simonsen's post.

There were some hairy moments for the Royals near the end as Stoke searched for that elusive equaliser and avoid the Royals doing the double of them. Reading did have a struck of luck when Akinbiyi blocked Chris Greenacres's shot which looked to be hitting the back of the net.

Reading should have finished the game off in injury time when good work down the wing by Glen Little, squared the ball for Paul Brooker who was unmarked but he could only hit his effort straight at Simonsen.

Full Time: Reading 1:0 Stoke City

Man Of The Match: Dave Kitson

Kitson's eleventh goal of the season secured the points. Lets just hope The Royals manage to hang on to him during the January transfer window!

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NEXT LEAGUE MATCH

13th November 2004, Madejski Stadium. 15:00 PM Kick Off

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