A disappointing first half against a very organised and negative Reading-I can see why they dont score many. Giving credit to Reading is one thing but we were very disjointed for most of the half and just couldnt pick the ball up from there well drilled 2 banks of four. We were sloppy in possession and played as many long balls as I can remember from the last several games. Derbyshire was heroic and had very little support throughout that first half.
I was thinking we really needed to bring Bowery on a half time but Derbyshire scored a great goal and the game opened up.
It was a great goal for a striker and epitomises him. The easy chances go begging but give him a razors edge and he can be lethal.
We wer now suddenly getting the share of possession in the middle of the park and tearing them apart down the left flank. Another great move and low cross saw Derbyshire do enough for the ball to break for the every willing Frecks who does the ghosting off the last man to superb effect so often. 2-Nil.
We kept it orgainsed but the game opened up more as reading pressed.
I didnt have any real sense we would concede and was shocked to see Martinez beaten from 20 yards by what looked like an ordinary shot. The defense had got pulled to the right and left huge gaps in the middle and as such no one was anywhere near the Reading player as he received the ball and struck the ball directly towards goal. Martinez hardly moved and clearly wasnt expecting it.
The last 10 minutes (5 minutes of added on played) was fairly uneventful although there were one or two nervous moments but they never really threatened the whole game. All in all a deserved win against an organised but woefully bereft of penetration Reading team.
-- Edited by ian on Wednesday 29th of April 2015 12:53:08 AM
