By CCFC Sid
February 20 2005

Just what you need when things aren't going well - a trip to one of your favourite away grounds! Thanks to the CCFC players for putting in a decent effort, and thanks to Reading for letting us take a much needed three points off them again.... Mickey Adams proved that he isn't willing to accept the rubbish that passed for the second half display versus Burnley, by replacing seven of the XI that played. And seven became eight as Dean Leacock injured himself in the warm-up!

Reading (Or "hopeless Reading", as they are referred to on their section of the sportnetwork site) are also on the crest of a slump at the moment, a slump which has coincided with Dave Kitson being out injured, so it was no surprise that, as the player was able to walk, Steve Coppell included him in his side!

CCFC could have been one-up within 20 seconds as Stern John missed a decent chance, and that miss proved costly, with Ferdinand giving the home side the lead after six minutes. Not the start MA was hoping for!!

McSheffrey and Murty were booked for fouls on each other within the first 25 minutes, while Ferdinand was also booked for moaning, in what was a fairly non-descript first half - which explains why I have so few notes about said 45 minutes! (For "few" read "next to nothing").

McSheffrey brought CCFC back on level terms just after the hour mark with a fine finish, and the still much maligned Stern John scored a second CCFC goal after 72 minutes - with new signing Trevor Benjamin having a hand (For want of a better word!) in both goals.

The other new boy, Ian Bennett, contributed towards a CCFC victory, with a fine save from the fairly impressive Hughes after 78 minutes.

Reports (Mr. Monks report, to be precise!) suggest that, in a weekend of unnecessary incidents involving moronic supporters, an object was thrown in the direction of Ian Bennett towards the end of the game. Just so stupid....

With Plymouth still seemingly in free-fall (With interesting rumours as to why!!), the win took CCFC above the one time Championship leaders, and four points clear of third bottom Gillingham - Reading finally dropped out of the play-off places (Somehow managing to stay there, despite not winning since Boxing Day).

Two tricky home matches in the next week should provide a decent test for Mickey Adams, and see if this was a one-off, or the start of something good....