COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP

MATCH REPORT

Glen Little made a surprise start after recovering from injury resulting in Paul Brooker dropping back down to the bench. Dave Kitson partnered Nicky Forster in attack again.

The game was certainly no spectacle with Reading's passing sloppy and their ability to create chances particularly woeful in the first half. Reading's best chances of the opening 45 minutes included a Steven Sidwell strike which flew over Andy Marshall's bar. Glen Little also so nearly scored but a superb intervention by Darren Ward prevented any chance materialising.

Although Millwall controlled large chunks of the first half they created very little in front of goal until an audacious effort from Daniel Dichio broke the deadlock five minutes before half time. An error from Ibrahima Sonko allowed Dichio to beat Hahnemann with a superb chip and open the scoring for the visitors.

Half Time: Reading 0:1 Millwall

Reading continued to struggle to get back in the game second half which prompted manager Steve Coppell to make an early change introducing Paul Brooker to replace the disappointing Andy Hughes.

The change gave Reading much greater width down the left wing giving The Royals another attacking outlet. As Reading became more desperate, Les Ferdinand was also introduced and replaced Glen Little. Reading were now starting to show much more promise with Ferdinand a clear threat up top. James Harper also was given a chance to earn a recall to the starting eleven when he replaced Ricky Newman in the heart of the midfield.

Eventually The Royals did strike, Brooker did well to cross  down the left wing and after the ball found its way to Sidwell, the Reading midfielder picked out top goalscorer Dave Kitson for a simple finish. The Reading supporters could start to sense all three points and with just over five minutes of normal time remaining, another Brooker cross picked out Nicky Forster perfectly and Forster headed home to send the 14,000 crowd wild. Ferdinand was so close to extending the lead with a shot from 25 yards which was rifling towards the top corner until Marshall made a top class save.

Reading however were made to hang on late on as Millwall squandered two good chances to take a point home. First of all a Paul Robinson should have down better from 15 yards out but he could only shoot over and then a Marvin Elliott strike deflected just wide of Marcus Hahnemann's post and away for a corner.

Reading did manage to hold on and earn a vital three points especially important considering all the teams around them picked up maximum points.

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Full Time: Reading 2:1 Millwall

Man Of The Match: Paul Brooker

Was a revelation when coming on setting up both goals to secure Reading a vital win in their bid for a Play-Off place.

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NEXT LEAGUE MATCH

9th April 2005, Stadium Of Light, 12:45 PM Kick Off (Live on Sky)

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