Match Report


Cardiff CityCardiff City     ReadingReading
Computer Player Computer Player Computer Player Computer Player
Norman Le TissierN. Le Tissier49
G
captain1
G
62Anthony DublinA. Dublin
Pegguy BoutoilleP. Boutoille61
D
2
D
58Lee VernazzaL. Vernazza
Alistair MowbrayA. Mowbray53
D
3
D
52Marcus GrayM. Gray
Arnold BosmanA. Bosman50
D
4
D
49James AndrewsJ. Andrews
Nils VogelN. Vogel48
D
5
D
48Gareth RobsonG. Robson
Duncan BrandD. Brand58
M
6captain
M
58Rodrigo CastroR. Castro
Rafael OliveiraR. Oliveira54
M
7
M
53Teddy RodgersT. Rodgers
Bill MasonB. Mason72
A
8
M
51Nicky CotteeN. Cottee
Alistair BarmbyA. Barmby66
A
9
A
55John NevilleJ. Neville
Henry PallisterH. Pallister59
A
10
A
54Robert EdworthyR. Edworthy
Thierry WilliamsT. Williams47
A
11
A
52Neil McManamanN. McManaman
 
David BowerD. Bower53
M
12
A
51Kemal BloomerK. Bloomer
John StandingJ. Standing49
M
13
A
48Adam BestA. Best
Stan BeckhamS. Beckham45
G
14
A
48Warren VernazzaW. Vernazza

United Flights
today's match is sponsored by United Flights
Match Report
Heavy rain falls from above here at Ninian Park where Cardiff City play host to Reading. Its a sell-out today with the 5,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Cardiff City are playing in a 4-2-4 formation while Reading appear to be shaped for 4-3-3.
Today's match is refereed by Frank Christie.


0.00
Cardiff City kick off the first half!
4.46
Marcus Gray hits a low pass to Nicky Cottee. Nicky Cottee flicks a high pass forward. John Neville holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. John Neville makes a simple pass, allowing Neil McManaman to run into the box. Some clumsy but lucky footwork from Neil McManaman provides some space. He scuffs the ball at goal but he balloons it over the crossbar!
8.20
Rodrigo Castro threads a neat ball through to Neil McManaman. Neil McManaman knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Nils Vogel.
10.19
Duncan Brand hacks James Andrews from behind! Duncan Brand is warned by the referee! James Andrews hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
14.23
James Andrews brings the ball forward. James Andrews threads the ball through to John Neville. John Neville shoots from 25 yards but it is tipped over by Norman Le Tissier.
15.39
Gareth Robson takes the corner, driving a low ball out to the edge of the box. Robert Edworthy comes in from the left and smashes a shot from 10 yards out but it flies just off target!
18.16
Rodrigo Castro flicks a high pass forward. Neil McManaman collects the pass. Neil McManaman knocks in a cross ball towards Robert Edworthy. Robert Edworthy is unmarked! He powers a header at goal but it is miles over!
20.58
James Andrews deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Rodrigo Castro. Rodrigo Castro flicks the ball to his team mate, John Neville. John Neville lofts in a cross ball towards Robert Edworthy. Robert Edworthy jumps high and flicks the ball with his head but it is shockingly off target!
22.17
Rafael Oliveira clumsily knocks into Teddy Rodgers. The referee calls over Rafael Oliveira and warns him to calm down! Teddy Rodgers hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
24.32
James Andrews hits a low pass to Teddy Rodgers. Teddy Rodgers flicks a high pass forward. Robert Edworthy holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Robert Edworthy advances inside the box! Robert Edworthy strikes a beautiful left-footed shot at goal. It's miles wide!
26.07
With a delightful solo run, Nicky Cottee stretches the opposition's defence. Nicky Cottee deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Neil McManaman but the linesman indicates offside!
27.59
Pegguy Boutoille makes a simple pass to Rafael Oliveira. Rafael Oliveira flicks the ball to his team mate, Thierry Williams. Thierry Williams knocks in a cross ball towards Bill Mason. Bill Mason powers a header at goal. Magnificent save by Anthony Dublin!
30.27
Nicky Cottee threads the ball through to Neil McManaman. Neil McManaman knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Pegguy Boutoille.
33.19
Marcus Gray passes the ball forward to Rodrigo Castro. Rodrigo Castro flicks a high pass forward to John Neville who brings the ball under control. John Neville lofts in a cross ball towards Neil McManaman. Neil McManaman makes a deft header but it's well over the bar!
44.56
Rodrigo Castro decides to run forward with the ball. Rodrigo Castro knocks in a cross ball towards John Neville. John Neville knocks the ball goalwards with his head but it is tipped over by Norman Le Tissier.
45.00
Gareth Robson takes a quick corner, playing it short to Teddy Rodgers. Some world-class footwork from Teddy Rodgers provides some space. He stabs the ball goalward. The ball clips the outside of the post and goes out!
45.00
The referee blows for the end of the first half

Both teams emerge for the second half. Cardiff City appear unchanged since the first half. Reading also appear unchanged since the first half.

45.00
The second half starts with Reading kicking off!
49.21
With vision, Arnold Bosman laces a weighted ball forward to Duncan Brand. Duncan Brand decides to run forward with the ball. Duncan Brand knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Anthony Dublin who gathers it comfortably.
55.35
Lee Vernazza flicks a high pass forward. Nicky Cottee controls it well on his chest. Nicky Cottee makes a simple pass to Robert Edworthy. Robert Edworthy shoots from distance. The ball flies a good few feet wide of the post.
57.06
Rodrigo Castro sees Neil McManaman in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Neil McManaman knocks in a cross ball towards John Neville. John Neville makes a deft header but it sails harmlessly over the bar!
59.30
Arnold Bosman pushes mid-way up the pitch. Arnold Bosman knocks the ball forward to Thierry Williams. Thierry Williams finds some space and shoots from distance. The ball dips but the keeper is on top of it. Fabulous stop!
61.10
Arnold Bosman sees Rafael Oliveira in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Rafael Oliveira kicks a strong pass forward to Alistair Barmby. Alistair Barmby lofts in a cross ball towards Bill Mason. Bill Mason beats his man to it with a header. The ball flies into the top corner - goal!!
65.44
Duncan Brand flicks a high pass forward. Alistair Barmby holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Alistair Barmby knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Anthony Dublin who gathers it comfortably.
69.38
Teddy Rodgers passes the ball forward to John Neville. John Neville shoots from distance. The ball flies a good few feet wide of the post.
72.41
Marcus Gray controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Teddy Rodgers. With some swift thinking, Teddy Rodgers plays the ball forward to Robert Edworthy. Robert Edworthy knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
77.14
Rodrigo Castro clumsily knocks into Duncan Brand. Rodrigo Castro is given a warning by the referee! Duncan Brand stretches but gets up unharmed.
81.26
Teddy Rodgers knocks the ball to his team mate, Robert Edworthy. Robert Edworthy whips in a cross ball towards John Neville. John Neville gets a glancing touch on the cross ball but it's a lousy effort!
83.11
Teddy Rodgers flicks a high pass forward. John Neville holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. John Neville lofts in a cross ball towards Neil McManaman. Neil McManaman makes a looping header on goal. What a cracker!! Norman Le Tissier had no chance!! Goal for Reading!
90.00
The whistle blows full-time!

Match Statistics
 

Cardiff City

Reading
Goals
1
1
Shots on Target
3
3
Shots off Target
0
11
Offsides
0
1
Fouls
2
1
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
28%
72%
Play Area
36%
40%
24%

Scorers
Bill Mason 61
Neil McManaman 83

Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Neil McManaman of Reading

Match Ratings
1.Norman Le Tissier (GK)
7
2.Pegguy Boutoille (DEF)
6
3.Alistair Mowbray (DEF)
6
4.Arnold Bosman (DEF)
7
5.Nils Vogel (DEF)
6
6.Duncan Brand (MID)
6
7.Rafael Oliveira (MID)
6
8.Bill Mason (ATT)goal scored
8
9.Alistair Barmby (ATT)
7
10.Henry Pallister (ATT)
6
11.Thierry Williams (ATT)
6
 
12.David Bower (MID)
0
13.John Standing (MID)
0
14.Stan Beckham (GK)
0

1.Anthony Dublin (GK)
7
2.Lee Vernazza (DEF)
6
3.Marcus Gray (DEF)
6
4.James Andrews (DEF)
8
5.Gareth Robson (DEF)
6
6.Rodrigo Castro (MID)
8
7.Teddy Rodgers (MID)
7
8.Nicky Cottee (MID)
7
9.John Neville (ATT)
9
10.Robert Edworthy (ATT)
7
11.Neil McManaman (ATT)goal scored
9
 
12.Kemal Bloomer (ATT)
0
13.Adam Best (ATT)
0
14.Warren Vernazza (ATT)
0