Plucky City Beaten At Reading

Last updated : 14 January 2006 By Kev Monks
READING 2-0 COVENTRY CITY BY KEV MONKS

Yet again Coventry City played very well away from home but were beaten 2-0 at league leaders Reading.

This visit to a Berkshire based side unbeaten in twenty seven matches,was the toughest game of the season so far for Micky Adams.

The City boss named a side which saw Marton Fulop back in goal with Claus Jorgensen replacing Stephen Hughes in midfield.

An excellent turn-out of around 1200 City fans at the impressive Madejski Stadium (a ground I prefer to the Arena and it is easier to get out of) watched on as an eighth minute Stern John header from a Michael Doyle free kick was superbly pushed round for a corner which Richard Duffy rifled over.

One of the reasons that Reading are at top of the league is their ability to con the referee. This they did to good effect throughout the first half.

In the 21st minute,referee Mr Bates completely missed Marcus Hall being flung to the ground,thanks to a hand around his throat. The Biscuitmen broke and Adie Williams ended up deemed to have brought a player down inside the arc of the penalty area.

Nicky Shorey stroked the resulting free kick wide.

In front of a bumper crowd,many of whom would not have been there if Steve Coppell's side were in mid-table,the home side raised their game.

Wave after wave of corners followed. But City's defence,superbly marshalled by Williams who was cautioned for dissent,stayed firm until the break despite some appalling officiating which saw Mr Bates booed as he left the pitch.

Within forty five seconds of the restart,Reading took the lead. Stern John lost possession,the ball was knocked up to Bobby Convey. His cross from the left picked out Dave Kitson who nipped in the gap between Shaw and Duffy to rifle the ball past Fulop.

The goal gave City the kick up the back side they needed.

Claus Jorgensen was brought down in the area but nothing was given.

Then in the 50th minute, some good control by Gary McSheffrey saw him surrounded by defenders but find a way to thread the ball to Whing who fired across the face of the goal.

Stern John who probably could have got to this loose ball,had a twenty yarder saved.

In the 54th minute,McSheffrey got down the right and like Whing sent the ball across the face of the goal.

It was all City,John got entangled in his own feet and the ball fell for Doyle to fire inches wide from eighteen yards.

Graeme Murty went into the book and in the 59th minute,Micky Adams introduced Don Hutchison to the action.

The Scot who signed on Friday until the end of the season,got stuck in straight away,playing a neat one two with Scowcroft to fire wide.

In the 62nd minute, Hutchison fired in a free kick from the edge of the area but the Royals American keeper dived to get a hand to it.

The pressure kept coming with Hahnemann palming away a Scowcroft header which was subsequently cleared for a corner.

Another corner followed and this time, Adie Williams header fell for Marcus Hall who smashed an eighteen yard shot against the cross bar.

Two corners and a tame Hutchison header followed as did Dele Adebola coming on for Claus Jorgensen. But with thirteen minutes left and against the run of play,Reading doubled their tally thanks to Dave Kitson firing home from a cross from the left.

The goal took the sails out of a plucky City side who finished their substitutions with Andy Impey getting an outing.

It was a City performance that drew praise from Reading players and supporters after the game and one warmly applauded by the Sky Blue Army on the final whistle.

Stern John did not have a good game but even he would have been clapped off the pitch. Unfortunately,he had stormed off the pitch on the final whistle totally ignoring his team mates and the City support.

HT RFC 0-0 CCFC
FT RFC 2-0 CCFC
ATT 22 813

Goals Dave Kitson (46 & 77)

Referee Mr Bates
Booked Williams,Murty,Shaw

Team
Fulop,Whing (Hutchison 59),Hall,Williams,Shaw,Duffy (Impey 81),Doyle,McSheffrey,Scowcroft,Jorgensen (74),John Subs Ince,Morrell

Reading
Hahnemann,Murty,Shorey,Sonko,Gunnarsson,Little,Kitson,Harper,Ingimarsson,Convey (Hunt 70),Doyle (Lita 86),Little.
Subs Oster,Stack, Makin