Cardiff started the brighter they had the most of the possession but without testing Jamie Ashdown in goal. Reading though did start to come in to the game more with the midfield pairing of James Harper and Steven Sidwell playing extremely well. Reading were starting to string some good moves together. 

All three goals in the first half game in the space of 7 minute at the end of the first half. The first game after a break in the game where the referee could not continue after picking up an injury. He had to be replaced with Reading preparing to take a corner. After they had sorted out the replacement referee James Harper whipped in the corner and the towering figure of Ingimarsson headed the ball into the corner of the goal to put the Royals in to a deserved lead.

Though the lead was short-lived as Cardiff got on level terms only a couple of minutes later. It was another poor goal from Reading's point of view to concede. Ingimarsson did not clear the ball and a shot in to the box was cleared off the line but it was drilled back across the goal and hotshot, Robert Earnshaw was there to have an easy goal and put the Bluebirds back on level terms. 

Though as the fans were going down to get there pie and Bovril,  Reading got the lead back with basically the last kick of the half. Another cross in to the box and this time Dave Kitson out jumped the Cardiff goalkeeper and head home to score his first senior goal for the Royals and what perfect timing it was.

Half Time: Cardiff City 1:2 Reading

Cardiff made one change at half time. Lennie Lawrence obviously wanting his Cardiff team to take the game to Reading as they went out to test Ashdown with ex Charlton player, John Robinson looking there biggest threat. Reading though were holding there ground and had a couple of opportunities to extend there lead on the counter attack. The best one when Kitson played a ball up to Goater but he was unable to beat the defender to it but won a corner out of it. Not long after,  Steve Coppell made his first sub as Goater was replaced by Dean Morgan.

It looked as though Reading were able to stop the threats posed by Cardiff but just after the 70 minute mark they equalised for a second time. The majority of the blame has to be given to Salako after it was his poor pass across the defence that opened up the opportunity which was taken by debutant, Lee Bullock, on loan from York City who hit the ball through a crowd of players and in to the bottom corner. Cardiff where clearly fired up and looking to take all three points. Play though was stopped again as referee number two picked up an injury. This meant that one of the linesman had to take over as the referee! Though the break in play was considerably long which helped Reading recover from conceding the goal.

As the game resumed Cardiff tried everything to get a winner but a combination of bad luck and good goalkeeping preventing them and as it looked it would be a straight third draw for the Royals, a good cross by Brooker was met me the head of Dean Morgan who scored his first senior goal and give Reading a dramatic win. It sent the Royals travelling fans in to jubilation and put the team in the Play-Off's. Though after the late winner and three referees the drama was not over yet as 9 minutes injury time were added but Reading hanged on to take the three points back home to England.

Full Time: Cardiff City 2:3 Reading

Man Of The Match: James Harper. Yet another fantastic performance from midfield. Sidwell was also on top of his game.

Ref Watch: I have given a quick review of all three referee's the Royals encountered!

Ref 1: Poor, seemed to be intimidated and so gave Cardiff some very lucky free kicks.

Ref 2: Much better. Got most decisions correct.

Ref 3: Didn't do anything wrong. Best thing he did was blowing the full time whistle!

Next League Match

Reading vs Sunderland

Madejski Stadium, 20th March, 3:00 PM Kick Off. - For Ticket information regarding this game please Click Here