Coca Cola Championship

Wednesday 28th September 2005,

St Mary's Stadium, 19:45pm Kick-Off

TEAM LINE-UP'S

Southampton - Niemi, Hajto, Lundekvam, Powell, Higginbotham, Oakley, Wise, Quashie, Kosowski (Pahars 71), Jones (Ormerod 88), Fuller

Subs not used; Smith (GK), Cranie, Delap

Reading - Hahnemann, Murty (Hunt 37), Makin, , Sonko, Ingimarsson, Little, Convey, Harper, Gunnarsson, Lita (Obinha 79), Doyle

Subs not used; Federici (GK), Oster, Baradji

MATCH REVIEW

Steve Coppell's Reading side held Southampton to their 6th successive draw last night in an entertaining game down at St Mary's.

Backed by a strong following of 3,000, the majority of supporters will agree that a draw was a fair result bearing in mind the Royals were under attack for most of the match.

The Royals made no changes to the starting 11 that beat Norwich City on Saturday, although Sekou Baradji had recovered from a knee injury and replaced Simon Cox on the bench.

In what was probably a 1 sided affair with the Saints creating the majority of chances, they could have gone ahead after just 35 seconds when a left wing cross delivered from Polish international Kamil Kosowski found Kenwayne Jones, who knocked down for Nigel Quashie who fired his shot wide of Marcus Hahnemann's goal.

5 minutes later, Reading has there 1st chance of the match when Glen Little crossed in for defender Ivar Ingimarsson who saw his header go just wide of Niemi's goal.

After 10 minutes, the Saints had another good chance when a well drilled Dennis Wise corner fell to Kosowski again just outside the penalty area and his half volley needed a good tip over from Marcus Hahnemann in the Reading goal.

Midway through the first half, there was an off the ball incident which sparked tempers between the players. Reading striker Kevin Doyle went down after a clash with Saints defender Darren Powell and there was a suggestion that Powell had elbowed Doyle. Powell received a yellow card, however for pushing Brnyar Gunnarsson in the aftermath. The incident WILL be looked at by referee Graham Poll, and a decision should be announced shortly.

Moments later it was Doyle's turn to earn a yellow card from the referee of the evening Graham Poll after a late and rash challenge on Powell. Revenge maybe?

6 minutes before half time, the game saw it's 1st substitution when captain Graeme Murty was taken off injured. Murty had previously complained off a jarred ankle in training and in came Stephen Hunt. The substitution saw the Royals rearrange with Chris Makin moving into full back with Hunt at left back,    

Half Time : Southampton 0-0 Reading

Neither side made a change at the break and within 5 minutes of the half time whistle being blown, both sides had penalty appeals turned down.

First it was Glen Little who got the better of Dennis Wise on the right wing and darted it way into the Saints penalty area before getting upended by Wise. Referee Poll said no and Southampton broke with Matt Oakley and his run into the area was intercepted by Hunt from behind, but the Saints fans appealed that Hunt had held back Oakley.

Southampton had the better of the 2nd half and the patched up Royals defence held on with the central defensive pairing of Ingimarsson and Sonko playing superb.

On the hour mark, Reading had there best chance of the game when a 60th minute Glen Little cross on the right wing found Kevin Doyle who headed over.

The final third of the game saw Southampton dominate possession and the impressive Matt Oakley cross in for Jones but somehow the actions of Hahnemann, Sonko and Jones himself saw the ball go wide of the goal.

On 70 minutes, the biggest cheer of the night came when Southampton substitute Marian Pahars was bought on in place of Kosowski. Pahars is a legend on the south coast and his introduction saw the chants of "Marian My Lord".

But neither Pahars or Southampton were able to break down a stubborn Reading defence and it was a well earned point for the Royals who have a nice game against Sheffield United to look forward to on Saturday.   

Full Time : Southampton 0-0 Reading

Man Of The Match - Marcus Hahnemann
Attendance - 24,946

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID

Steve Coppell, Reading Manager

On the 0-0 draw;

"We hope this proves to be a valuable point. I respect the players efforts, there was some superb defending, some clever defending and some gutsy defending.

"Credit to Southampton, they played some terrific positive stuff, so credit to them. On another night they might have scored a lot of goals. The best chance was in the first minute and that was an indication. We rode our luck but we're well pleased with a point.

On captain Graeme Murty's injury;

"He was injured Tuesday in training and I thought he had no chance, to be honest. With his character he said he'd have a go but we don't no how he'll be for Saturday now."

On Stephen Hunt's contribution;

"Hunty has a big heart, and did well at full back in pre season."

On the fantastic performance of goalie Marcus Hahnemann;

"He's been superb for a long time. He has a lot to play for in a World Cup year. He also has pride in his performance and a kinship with his team mates."

On the off the ball clash between Kevin Doyle and Darren Powell;

"I'd rather not say anything. Graham Poll says he didn't see anything. I wouldn't mind him every week and we're not crying over it. If anything happens about it, then it happens."

On the 3,000 supporters who made the journey down south;

"Our away support was great tonight and that's been a feature since I came here."

On this Saturday's top of the table clash Vs Sheffield United;

"Now we're looking forward to testing ourselves on Saturday. We want to pit our wits against the best; I've not seen Sheffield United this season play yet this season but they're acknowledged to be the best."

On a possible return for Nicky Shorey, Steve Sidwell and Dave Kitson for Saturday's game;

"As for Kitson, Shorey and Sidwell I'd have said no but I read about a Rangers player this morning who made a comeback through faith so you never know!"  

Harry Redknapp, Southampton Manager;

"I've never seen a team dominate another like that and not win. And I feel the fans frustration watching chance after chance go begging.

"I can't fault our work-rate or our football. Our build up and play was excellent, we dominated from start to finish but we could just not pit the ball in the net." 

The Royals are back at home this Saturday top of the table Sheffield United make the journey to the Madejski Stadium for this huge clash. It's a must see game and you can get ticket information by clicking the link below.

>Ticket Information