Reading got their first win of the season at a drizzle drenched Madjeski Stadium against the table-topping Everton. Stephen Hunt scored a well deserved goal and Andy Johnson was denied by a post late on to give the win to Reading.
We were planning on getting the bus but actually met up with some East Stand season ticket holders who gave my son and I a lift to the ground. So in fact we got their incredibly early to make up for Wednesday’s game against Chelsea. So early that we wandered around wondering what to do with ourselves. A couple of pints and a coke was the answer (again to make up for the Chelsea game). However, I paid the price ten minutes into the game because my son needed the toilet! Better than 2 minutes before half time I suppose in this case.
The game started with Reading playing particularly well. Gunnarsson was back in for the suspended Cisse. Seol had replaced Oster and Bikey was starting for the injured Duberry. Bikey certainly took his chance as he was incredible, making the job of marking Andy Johnson look easy. All the defence played well, but poor Graham Murty went down with another injury after 20 minutes and was replaced with De La Cruz.
Just has we were thinking that all the hard work in the first half was coming to nothing, up popped Stephen Hunt, taking hold of a De La Cruz long throw that the Everton defence failed to handle and deftly stuck the ball into the net past the Everton keeper Howard. Perfect time to score a goal at 43 minutes.
Everton played better second half, and Reading couldn’t quite keep up the pace. Doyle and Long were playing well up front, but looked increasingly tired and the Seol (who had a good game as well) got a back injury and was replaced by Oster. Then came the moment that two American blokes at the front of the South Stand had been waiting for. Hunt picked up a thigh strain after providing again a tireless effort of running and skill and had to be replaced. On came Bobby Convey to a standing ovation and the two American guys got their USA flag out. It is great to see both the American support and Bobby’s return.
However, it looked like Reading were going to run out of players as substitute Oster went down with an injury as well. We were going to finish the game with ten men again (no sending off for a change) but Oster came back on to hobble around up front and Kevin Doyle finished the game on the right midfield.
Near the death, Everton came closest to scoring with McFaddon (rightly booked for diving) putting in a cross that fooled Hahnemann and hit the bar. The ball fell to the previously quiet Johnson but he fluffed he shot and hit De La Cruz on the hand, then fell to him again. He shot again and hit the post. What a let off. Johnson always scores against Reading and should have again. Not this time. The Reading fans were ecstatic after getting the first win of the season.
4 points from the first three game and 4 more points than from the same fixtures as last season. In the car on the way hope everyone was full of optimism for the coming season.
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