The Bluebirds have had an excellent start to life in the First Division, but prior to yesterday, Lennie Lawrence's side have only faced one of the leagues 'bigger clubs', Nottingham Forest.

The visit to Reading was one relished by City supporters, and 2,800 Bluebirds made their way to the superb Madejski Stadium for the game against one of our 'local rivals' in this division.

Reading have proved themselves to be a very strong side in the past two seasons, and looked several classes above the Gillingham side that City swept aside on Saturday, so a 2-1 defeat was not a result to be to disheartened about.

City started the game in a positive mood, and it was clear that the side were not hear to look for a point. John Robinson sent a curling shot wide of the post in the opening minute, giving Reading an early scare.

The Royal responded with Andy Hughes and Nicky Forster both having chances, and Reading looked very dangerous on the counter-attack.

It was the visitors who took the lead though on the 12 minute mark. Peter Thorne, who put in another excellent performance, latched onto a Graham Kavanagh through ball before drilling the ball past a helpless Hahnemann in the Royals goal.

The goal came as a wake up call to Reading, who then had a series of pressure. Former Bristol City attacker Scott Murray, who received a very hostile reception from the City faithful, was causing problems as the Royals came forward, and he went close with a looping effort which was blocked by James Collins in front of goal.

Scott Murray's forward runs were creating opportunities for the home side, with Nicky Forster going close for Reading, before Robert Earnshaw had a golden opportunity to double the City's lead as the break approached. The Zambian-born striker fired a shot-in from close range, but it Hahnemann did well to parry the effort for a corner.

Half Time - Reading 0-1 Cardiff City

City had worked extremely hard in the first-half, and were worthy of their lead, but Reading came out all-guns blazing at the start of the second period. Scott Murray again went close with a pile-driver shot, and Steve Sidwell drilling a left-footed volley just wide of the left post.

Cardiff fought back though, and the Reading side were indebted to 'keeper Hahnemann who made two excellent finger-tip saves to deny Peter Thorne a brace.

City were starting to show signs of fatigue, and Reading got a deserved equaliser on the 63-minute mark. Scott Murray, who put in an inspired performance for the Royals (maybe the opposition helped lift his game!), sent an accurate cross into Nicky Forster who easily finished from close-range.

The goal really lifted the Reading support, who had been rather quiet until this stage, and a fantastic atmosphere began to boom around the all-seater stadium. There chairman John Madejski delivered a clear message to fans before kick-off to get behind the team in what is a difficult time for Reading, after losing manager Alan Pardew, and there fans to the East side of the ground began a singing battle with the travelling support.

City were creating less chances now, and seemed happy to sit-back for a point. Scott Murray went close with a long-range effort which was saved well by Alexander, but Reading's winning goal came 11 minutes from time courtesy of a phenomenal Steve Sidwell strike. The midfielder was given the ball by Forster 20-yards out, and unleashed an unstoppable drive into Neil Alexander's top-left hand corner.

Lawrence through on Jason Bowen, but decided against introducing substitute striker Gavin Gordon for the closing stages, as City looked to break down Reading in the closing stages, but the Royals defence stood strong and held out for all three points in what was a very entertaining contest.

Full Time - Reading 2-1 Cardiff City

Man of the Match - Peter Thorne
City's record purchase put in another excellent display and has firmly staked a claim for a place in the first-team squad. Another goal for the man with the magic hat, and his contribution to the team stood out last night.

Next Fixutre - v. Sheffield United (A) - 20th September, 2003
The week gets even tougher for City, as they face another one of the leagues flagship sides on Saturday, Sheffield United at Brammal Lane. The Blades hammered Rotherham United 5-0 last night, and will be in a confident mood as they look to go one better than last season, which saw them losing the play-off final 3-0 against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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