Match Report
| Bristol Rovers | Bristol Rovers |  |  | Reading | Reading | ||||||||||||||||
| Computer Player | Computer Player | Computer Player | Computer Player | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mike Lua-Lua | M. Lua-Lua |  | 51 | G |  | 1 | | G | 62 | | Anthony Dublin | A. Dublin | |||||||||
| Stephen Charlton | S. Charlton | | 53 | D |  | 2 |  | D | 58 | | Lee Vernazza | L. Vernazza | |||||||||
| Jody Pearce | J. Pearce | | 50 | D | | 3 | | D | 52 | | Marcus Gray | M. Gray | |||||||||
| Duncan Lampard | D. Lampard | | 48 | D | | 4 | | D | 49 | | James Andrews | J. Andrews | |||||||||
| Edward Wallwork | E. Wallwork | | 46 | D | | 5 | | D | 48 | | Gareth Robson | G. Robson | |||||||||
| John Swift | J. Swift | | 54 | M | | 6 | |  | M | 58 |  | Rodrigo Castro | R. Castro | ||||||||
| Greg Salmon | G. Salmon | | 53 | M | | 7 | | M | 51 | | Nicky Cottee | N. Cottee | |||||||||
| Alistair Jeffers | A. Jeffers | | 56 | A | | 8 | | M | 44 | | Billy Izzet | B. Izzet | |||||||||
| Simon Mike | S. Mike | | 56 | A | | | 9 | | A | 55 | | John Neville | J. Neville | ||||||||
| Mick Wiltord | M. Wiltord | | 51 | A | | 10 | | A | 54 | | Robert Edworthy | R. Edworthy | |||||||||
| Dominic Mckinlay | D. Mckinlay |  | 48 | A | | 11 | | A | 52 | | Neil McManaman | N. McManaman | |||||||||
| Noel Huckerby | N. Huckerby | | 48 | G | | 12 | | A | 51 | | Kemal Bloomer | K. Bloomer | |||||||||
| Guilherme Gomes | G. Gomes | | 48 | M | | 13 | | A | 48 | | Warren Vernazza | W. Vernazza | |||||||||
| Stanley Grantt | S. Grantt | | 46 | M | | 14 | | A | 48 | | Adam Best | A. Best | |||||||||
 today's match is sponsored by Red Cross |
Match Report
It's a sunny day here at Memorial Stadium where Bristol Rovers play host to Reading. A crowd of 3,781 fill this 5,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Bristol Rovers are playing in a 4-2-4 formation while Reading appear to be shaped for 4-3-3.
Today's match is refereed by Gareth Lumsdon.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Bristol Rovers are playing in a 4-2-4 formation while Reading appear to be shaped for 4-3-3.
Today's match is refereed by Gareth Lumsdon.
0.00
0-0Bristol Rovers start the game by kicking off the first half!
4.02
0-0Duncan Lampard barges into Robert Edworthy. The referee calls over Duncan Lampard and warns him to calm down! Robert Edworthy gets up, but that knock is affecting his game.
8.37
0-0Jody Pearce deftly passes the ball to his team mate, John Swift. John Swift makes a simple pass to Alistair Jeffers. Alistair Jeffers sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal his aim is horrendously poor!
10.31
0-0John Swift sees Simon Mike in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Simon Mike shoots from distance. Magnificent save by Anthony Dublin!
12.01
0-0John Swift passes the ball forward to Simon Mike. Simon Mike makes a probing pass to Mick Wiltord but he's offside!
15.20
Lee Vernazza flicks a high pass forward. Billy Izzet collects the pass. Billy Izzet deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Neil McManaman. Neil McManaman knocks in a cross ball towards John Neville. John Neville jumps high and flicks the ball with his head but it is tipped over by Mike Lua-Lua.
16.25
0-0Billy Izzet takes the corner, driving a low ball out to the edge of the box. James Andrews shoots from just inside the box but it's well over the bar!
20.21
Nicky Cottee controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Robert Edworthy. Robert Edworthy whips in a cross ball towards Neil McManaman. Neil McManaman finds space and glances the ball goalwards with his head but it flies well off target!
26.25
Marcus Gray flicks a high pass forward to Nicky Cottee who brings the ball under control. Nicky Cottee passes the ball forward to Robert Edworthy. Robert Edworthy shoots from 25 yards but he skews it badly. The ball flies well over the bar!
34.21
Greg Salmon advances with the ball. Greg Salmon sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal but Anthony Dublin is on top of it.
36.53
0-0James Andrews comes in with a late challenge on Mick Wiltord. James Andrews is warned by the referee! Mick Wiltord stretches but gets up unharmed.
40.01
Billy Izzet threads the ball through to John Neville. John Neville finds some space and shoots from distance. The ball flies a good few feet wide of the post.
45.00
The whistle blows and the first half comes to an end!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Bristol Rovers have changed their lineup with Guilherme Gomes replacing Jody Pearce and Stanley Grantt replacing Mick Wiltord. Reading appear unchanged since the first half.
45.00
The second half starts with Reading kicking off!
47.17
0-1James Andrews makes a probing pass to Billy Izzet. Billy Izzet kicks a strong pass forward to Neil McManaman. Neil McManaman knocks in a cross ball towards Robert Edworthy. Robert Edworthy finds space and glances the ball goalwards with his head. Mike Lua-Lua is helpless! The ball slams into the back of the net - goal!!
51.52
Marcus Gray makes a simple pass to Rodrigo Castro. Rodrigo Castro changes direction and makes an attacking run forward. Rodrigo Castro knocks in a cross ball towards Robert Edworthy. Robert Edworthy beats his man to it with a header. The ball takes a deflection leaving Mike Lua-Lua with no chance!! Goal for Reading!
55.54
Showing composure, Nicky Cottee laces a weighted ball forward to Neil McManaman. Neil McManaman lofts in a cross ball towards John Neville. John Neville directs the ball goalwards with his head. The ball clips the outside of the post and goes out!
59.01
Rodrigo Castro brings the ball forward. Rodrigo Castro whips in a cross ball towards Neil McManaman. Neil McManaman connects with the ball, driving a powerful header at goal. The keeper is on top of it. Fabulous stop!
60.55
Marcus Gray makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Billy Izzet. Billy Izzet flicks a high ball forward to John Neville who gracefully takes it down. John Neville sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal but it scrapes just over the bar. Good effort!
69.46
Billy Izzet makes a beautiful pass to the feet of John Neville. John Neville advances inside the box! John Neville strikes a beautiful right-footed shot at goal. What a cracker!! Mike Lua-Lua had no chance!! Goal for Reading!
78.16
Rodrigo Castro flicks a high ball forward to Robert Edworthy who takes it down. Robert Edworthy knocks in a cross ball towards Neil McManaman. Neil McManaman flicks the ball with his head. It slams into the side netting. So close!!
81.47
Gareth Robson chips the ball to his team mate, Billy Izzet. Billy Izzet threads the ball through to Neil McManaman. Neil McManaman controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. The ball swerves viciously but the keeper is on top of it. Great save!
83.25
With fabulous vision, Billy Izzet plays the ball forward to John Neville. John Neville plays a scrappy one-two with Neil McManaman and advances towards the goal... John Neville strikes a beautiful right-footed shot at goal but is denied by Mike Lua-Lua. Excellent save.
85.35
Greg Salmon threads the ball through to Stanley Grantt. Stanley Grantt finds some space and shoots from distance but slams it into the crowd!
89.47
Greg Salmon changes direction and makes an attacking run forward. Greg Salmon whips in a cross ball towards Stanley Grantt. Stanley Grantt makes a convincing header but it flies wide!
90.00
0-3Greg Salmon makes a probing pass to Alistair Jeffers. Alistair Jeffers lofts in a cross ball towards Stanley Grantt. James Andrews clumsily knocks into Stanley Grantt. Stanley Grantt appeals for a penalty! The referee just ignores him!!
90.00
The referee blows the final whistle
Match Statistics
Goals
0
3
Shots on Target
2
7
Shots off Target
3
7
Offsides
1
0
Fouls
1
1
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
33.3%
66.7%
Play Area
29.5%
44.9%
25.6%
Scorers
| Robert Edworthy 47, 52 John Neville 69 |
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Robert Edworthy of Reading |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Mike Lua-Lua (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Stephen Charlton (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Jody Pearce (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Duncan Lampard (DEF) | 5 | |
| 5. | Edward Wallwork (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | John Swift (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Greg Salmon (MID) | 7 | |
| 8. | Alistair Jeffers (ATT) | 6 | |
| 9. | Simon Mike (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Mick Wiltord (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Dominic Mckinlay (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Noel Huckerby (GK) | 0 | |
| 13. | Guilherme Gomes (MID) | 6 | |
| 14. | Stanley Grantt (MID) | 6 | |
| 1. | Anthony Dublin (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Lee Vernazza (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Marcus Gray (DEF) | 7 | |
| 4. | James Andrews (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Gareth Robson (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Rodrigo Castro (MID) | 8 | |
| 7. | Nicky Cottee (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Billy Izzet (MID) | 7 | |
| 9. | John Neville (ATT) |  | 8 |
| 10. | Robert Edworthy (ATT) | | 9 |
| 11. | Neil McManaman (ATT) | 7 | |
| 12. | Kemal Bloomer (ATT) | 0 | |
| 13. | Warren Vernazza (ATT) | 0 | |
| 14. | Adam Best (ATT) | 0 | |