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After the news that left back Nicky Shorey will be out for the rest of the season and Steve Brown had picked up an injury, Steve Coppell was forced into a major reshuffle in his back line. Andy Hughes took the left back role while Ricky Newman partnered Ingimarsson at the back. Newman yet again proving why he deserves a new contract. With the departure of Scott Murray on Thursday back to Bristol City and Hughes filling in at left back, Dean Morgan came in for his first League start on the right hand side of midfield. John Salako maintained his place as he came up against one of his former clubs. Kitson and Goater were upfront.
Coventry had been on a good run of home form coming into the game under the guidance of Eric Black who had replaced former manager Gary McAllister who was forced to leave the club for family reasons. Coventry looked full of confidence as they mounted some early attacks on the Reading goal and also having some early corners. Joachim in particular looked dangerous. Though the first goal of the game came from Reading on their first attack. Reading won a free kick over by the side of the pitch. Salako took the free kick which went through all the bodies in the box and into the corner of Ward’s goal. It was right against the run of play, Coventry looked to hit right back with a number of efforts close to getting the Sky Blues right back in the game. From a corner Callum Davenports header was cleared off the line by Salako and Joachim once again had a shot that whistled just past the post. Reading though also had chances to double there lead. Kitson was unlucky a couple of times, the first he was just unable to beat the defender and stabed the ball past the post and then after a neat piece of skill to beat the defender he fired over.
Half Time: Coventry City 0:1 Reading
Reading started the second half very similar to the first as they found themselves on the back foot. Coventry were again not far from pulling themselves back into the contest. After a sweeping move which started from a great ball from Salako, Reading got another goal. Sidwell’s ball across to Goater was perfect for the Bermudian International to slot home to give him his first goal since Sheffield United.
This was far from the end of the action as not long after Reading’s second goal, they were reduced to ten men. Sidwell was adjudged to have made a foul which produced a second yellow card and so he walked. Though both bookings were very harsh, from a referee who ruined the game for both sides, as he made mistake after mistake. Reading had looked more then comfortable before the sending off but after City took the game to the Royals but they held firm until the 67th minute when McSheffrey pulled one back after scrambling the ball home, there was not too much Ashdown could have done about it. It spurred on the home crowd but City were unable to get another and it was Reading who were unlucky not to score another, a break which if Savage’s ball to Brooker was better would have let the Leiscter player through on goal. Reading fans were more then happy with just the two goals and a win that keep up the Play Off chances. After Sheffield United’s defeat Reading are now only three points off the Play Off’s, so who knows what can happen. Though the next game could well determine what happens, bring on the Hammers!
Full Time: Coventry City 1:2 Reading
Man Of The Match: Andy Hughes did a tremendous job in a makeshift role, but Salako gets it today for the goal and his all round performance.
Ref Watch: Very poor and so were his officials. Sidwell did not deserve to be sent off and Reading had some really harsh decisions against them.
Next League Match
Reading
vs West Ham United
Madejski Stadium, Saturday 3rd April, 12:30 PM Kick Off (Live On Sky)- For Ticket
information regarding this game please Click
Here
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