COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP

MATCH REPORT

Plymouth dominated the whole first half and went on the offensive from the off. It was a surprise it to the Pilgrims just over fifteen minutes to break the deadlock. Reading were struggling to cope with Plymouths aerial ability and strength and finally got punished when a ball in the box hit Steve Sidwell and the ball ended up in the net.

The home side continued to mount chances after this with a number of long ranges efforts, most notably by midfield star David Friio.

It took Reading over half an hour to have their first real chance at goal and when it came it so nearly could have made it 1:1. Kitson's header from Glen Little's cross was superbly saved by Plymouth keeper, Romain Larrieu.

Plymouth were still in control of the match and just before half time doubled their lead after poor defending let in Scotland International, Stevie Crawford for a simple finish. Another long ball caused the Royals problems and when Hahnemann failed to claim, the ball fell to Crawford who has a simple tap in.

Half time was greeted with a standing ovation for the home team as Royals fans showed their anger by booing the Reading team off the pitch.

Half Time: Plymouth 2:0 Reading

Steve Coppell decided to make no changes at half time. Reading started a lot more brighter and should have had a penalty in the first couple of minutes when a Plymouth defender handled the ball on the line and managed to tip the ball over the bar. The referee, Alan Wiley gave nothing and the linesman failed to notice the incident.

Reading then had a golden opportunity when Bobby Convey was put through but the ball would not come down for him and his attempted lob was saved comfortably by Larrieu.

Reading's pressure did finally pay off when from a Nicky Shorey's set piece, Plymouth defender, Graham Coughlan headed through his own net.

Instead of taking the game to the home side, The Royals failed to take advantage started to revert to the way they were playing in the opening 45 minutes. Stevie Crawford was extremely unlucky not to finish the game off when he broke the offside and hit a shot low past Hahnemann only for the ball to hit the post and be cleared.

Steve Coppell had obviously seen enough and throw on Dean Morgan and the former Colchester United player, made a big difference replacing Bobby Convey. Reading started to step up a gear and it was Morgan who set up a great chance for Kitson but he took to long to get his shot away and the ball was cleared.

Sonko was causing problems with his long throws and it was Sonko who had a hand to play in Reading's late late equaliser. The former Brentford defenders cross was deflected goal wards only to be saved well. From the resulting corner Nicky Shorey's whipped ball in was bundled home by Dave Kitson for his 10th goal of the season and send the 800 loyal royals into ecstasy

Reading could have won it when another Shorey set piece flew across the Plymouth goal only for a Reading player to be unable to make contact but after the dismal first half performance Reading fans were just pleased to have claimed a point.

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Full Time: Plymouth 2:2 Reading

Man Of The Match: Dave Kitson

There were not many good performances out there but just for the late drama alone, Dave Kitson gets the award for scoring that all important equaliser.

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NEXT LEAGUE MATCH

6th November 2004, Madejski Stadium. 15:00 PM Kick Off

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