Reading 2-0 BFC, Saturday 29th February 2020

‘If Schmidt and Bahre are the answer, I don’t even know the question.’

Welcome to ...

After 3 clean sheets and 3 victories, normal service has resumed after a meek loss at Reading.  One should never get one’s hopes up, but this was definitely one we could file under ‘winnable’.  Indeed, even when one down at half time I was optimistic – we’d played poorly and still created 3 blinding opportunities.  Imagine what will happen when we ‘click’.  Little did I know, this was our good half.

The Colosseum awaits its gladiators.

The first half was a strange affair from our perspective.  Like any Sunday morning game, we looked at our most dangerous when Reading had the ball.  Their defence took risks and lacked the capability to see them through.  Cauley robbed one of them on the halfway line, strode forward and drilled it wide.   Critics pointed out the 3 Reds players in support (versus one defender) while I’d highlight how he scored from the same position at Plymouth last season.  And if I was Cauley, would I pass the ball to someone less capable? 

Not the Main Stand side.

Brown had earlier missed a similar chance, a free shot from the edge of the area.  The kind Andy Liddell used to bury.  Then, in the last minute of the half, a Reading player was again caught dawdling in possession, Thomas robbed him, made a beeline for the penalty area and passed it to Cauley.  The shot, from the edge of the box, was easily saved but somehow the rebound fell to him again and he crashed an almighty shot towards the roof of the net, only for the keeper to come good again.  That was the last time we threatened.

The managers prowl their technical areas.

Did I mention we were one down?  After 17 minutes, Reading curled a beautiful free kick into the danger zone.  It looked initially like we’d dealt with it…but oh no, the ball bobbled around and somehow squirmed into our net.  From the far end it was difficult to understand what happened, but it looked like the ball got caught up in Jacob Brown’s feet.  An OG?

A genuine Reading v Barnsley match ticket.  How much am I bid?

The second half was a masterclass in holding onto a one-nil.  Reading spent the entire half getting men behind the ball, while we went sideways-sideways-backwards-sideways.  It was pure Keith Hill from us, as, even when we won the ball, we were so pedestrian they simply trotted back into position.  Mind, it also helped they had the best player on the pitch, a massive central midfielder, Ejaria (who, it turns out, is actually a Liverpool player).  Time and again he bullied our midgety midfield, time and again he’d track back, overtake them, and snuff out the danger.

Action in front of a sparse Main Stand.

We ‘enjoyed’ 62% possession, but, as someone said, Mowatt must have had the ball for 20 minutes.  At one point, determined to keep possession against absolutely no-one, he turned back towards his own goal.  Hadn’t he noticed Reading running back into their own half every time they lost it?  Cos we had.  Needless to say they then scored with possibly their first foray into our half.  Poor defending too, as Halme (I think) was turned on the halfway line and never looked like getting back.  Collins, off his line, less ‘narrowed the angle’ than ‘gave the bloke an open goal’.  2-0, game over.

A bad day at the office, but the rotund woman hasn’t started warbling yet.  We live to fight another day.

Onwards and upwards!

*** Woodrow.  Only one who looked capable.    

** No-one.

* Him again. No-one.

Londontykes' MOTM: 1, Woodrow  2. Jordan Williams  3. No-one

Players give thanks.  Officials skulk off.

Despatches:The shot count was 21-7 in our favour.  Another misnomer, as 15 of them must have been dinked or hoofed into the stand.  We problies lost 5 minutes there, as there weren’t many ballboys/fans behind that far goal.

In positive news, the lesser sighted Captain (Phil) rocked up to the pub, as well as Big Jim.  I also bumped into Tim at the game (welcome back!) as well as a few of the regulars.  And I don’t know who to feel sorry for out of Loko and his San Franciscan girlfriend: her, for enduring the cold of Reading, or him, for being forced to tour the galleries of London on Sunday in return.  Poor Ben…

Drink du jour: IPA in Greyfriars.  Champion.

Away: 735

The Damage:

£20 ent

£14 train

£2 bus to stadium (I'm sure it used to be 3!)

£3 programme

= £39

Madjeski panorama

1st view of the stadium

The teams meet 'n' greet

Courthouse Reds' salubrious coach.