Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Clear Water Spa |
Match Report
Hail stones bounce on the pitch here at Madejski Stadium where Reading play host to Birmingham City. A crowd of 9,395 fill this 10,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Reading are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Birmingham City appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Les Butt.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Reading are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Birmingham City appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Les Butt.
0.00
0-0The first half starts with Birmingham City kicking off!
3.12
0-0Leon Murrin makes a simple pass to Silvain Of Hesselink. Silvain Of Hesselink shoots from 25 yards his aim is horrendously poor!
8.19
0-0Omer Lisbie comes in with a late challenge on Silvain Of Hesselink. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Silvain Of Hesselink runs off the knock.
9.21
With imagination, Carl Plowright picks a pass forward to Guillermo Ramirez. Guillermo Ramirez shoots from outside the area but connects badly and the ball goes wide!
12.15
1-0Omer Lisbie flicks a high pass forward. Nick Luzhny holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Nick Luzhny flicks a high pass forward. Peter Woodgate controls it well on his chest. Peter Woodgate rushes past Simon Dublin! Peter Woodgate tries a spectacular strike. The ball clips the underside of the bar and bounces just over the line. The fans cheer wildly!
16.31
1-0Omer Lisbie hits a low pass to Mario Vecchiola. Mario Vecchiola flicks a high pass forward. Peter Woodgate collects the pass. Peter Woodgate knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
20.19
1-0With imagination, Mario Vecchiola plays the ball forward to Steve Naylor. Steve Naylor advances inside the box! Steve Naylor muscles his way past his marker and unleashes a shot at goal but Kevin Dalglish reads it well. Superb keeping!
22.02
Leon Murrin takes it forward alone. Leon Murrin knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Omer Lisbie.
26.33
1-0Carl Plowright catches Mario Vecchiola on the ankles. The referee calls over Carl Plowright and shows him a yellow card! Mario Vecchiola carries on, but is struggling a bit.
27.48
Christian Courtois makes a simple pass to Copain De Gier. Copain De Gier flicks the ball to his team mate, Steve Naylor. Steve Naylor knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Wes Lee.
32.21
Nick Luzhny threads the ball through to Steve Naylor. Steve Naylor controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. It curls slightly but Kevin Dalglish manages to gather it.
33.40
Wes Lee catches Mario Vecchiola on the ankles. The referee calls over Wes Lee and shows him a yellow card! Mario Vecchiola stretches but gets up unharmed.
36.05
Omer Lisbie plays the ball forward to Nick Luzhny. Nick Luzhny threads a neat ball through to Peter Woodgate. Peter Woodgate cuts inside the box! Some good footwork from Peter Woodgate provides some space. He shoots at goal. It curls slightly but Kevin Dalglish manages to gather it.
42.58
1-0Alun Heskey picks a pass forward to Graeme Adams. Graeme Adams runs deep into the other half of the pitch. Graeme Adams kicks a strong pass forward to Eddie Davis but the referee indicates it's offside!
45.00
Mario Vecchiola flicks a high pass forward. Kieron Windass controls it well on his chest. Kieron Windass finds some space and shoots from distance but it slams into the crowd!
45.00
The first half ends with the referee blowing his whistle!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Reading have changed their lineup with Mario Corsi replacing Steve Naylor. Birmingham City appear to have rearranged themselves into a 4-3-3 formation. The Birmingham City players look more relaxed than they were earlier in the game.
45.00
Reading kick off!
48.05
Nick Luzhny flicks a high pass forward. Mario Corsi holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Mario Corsi makes a probing pass between the defence to Peter Woodgate. Peter Woodgate cuts inside the defence and shoots at goal but Kevin Dalglish reads it well. Superb keeping!
49.02
With a delightful solo run, Graeme Adams stretches the opposition's defence. Graeme Adams knocks in a cross ball towards Silvain Of Hesselink. Silvain Of Hesselink is perfectly placed and heads the ball at goal his aim is horrendously poor!
53.37
Omer Lisbie controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Mario Vecchiola. Mario Vecchiola threads the ball through to Mario Corsi. Mario Corsi tries a spectacular long range effort. The ball swerves in the air but the keeper is more than a match for it. Nice keeping!
60.18
1-0Birmingham City have made a substitution with Ernesto Duran replacing Guillermo Ramirez .
63.10
Omer Lisbie flicks a high pass forward to Copain De Gier who brings the ball under control. Copain De Gier flicks a high pass forward to Kieron Windass who brings the ball neatly under control. Kieron Windass knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
66.49
Graeme Adams knocks the ball to his team mate, Ernesto Duran. Ernesto Duran knocks in a cross ball towards Silvain Of Hesselink. With a superhuman jump, Silvain Of Hesselink connects with the ball and heads it goalwards. It smacks hard against the advertising boards behind the goal. Just wide!
69.43
1-0Peter Woodgate clumsily knocks into Wes Lee. The referee warns Peter Woodgate to calm down! Wes Lee hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
71.36
Mario Vecchiola knocks the ball forward to Kieron Windass. Kieron Windass shoots from 20 yards. The ball hits the post, bouncing back into play. Reading are unable to capitalise and the keeper manages to gather up the loose ball.
77.30
Nick Luzhny flicks the ball to his team mate, Mario Corsi. Mario Corsi edges inside the box! Mario Corsi takes a shot at goal. It's there!! Kevin Dalglish has to pick the ball from the back of the net!
81.09
2-0Reading are in full control of this game.
84.58
Christian Courtois threads a neat ball through to Nick Luzhny. Nick Luzhny knocks the ball forward to Peter Woodgate. Peter Woodgate puts a great ball through but Mario Corsi is slow coming back. It's an easy decision for the linesman. Offside!
85.35
Titus May controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Copain De Gier. Copain De Gier deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Mario Corsi. Mario Corsi sees Peter Woodgate just inside the box and quickly passes the ball. Some good footwork from Peter Woodgate provides some space. He shoots at goal. Peter Woodgate scores for Reading!!
89.08
Carl Plowright surges forward with the ball. Carl Plowright knocks in a cross ball towards Eddie Davis. With a superhuman jump, Eddie Davis connects with the ball and heads it goalwards. The ball clips the outside of the post and goes out!
90.00
The referee whistles full-time!
Match Statistics
Goals
3
0
Shots on Target
8
0
Shots off Target
2
5
Offsides
1
1
Fouls
2
2
Yellow Cards
1
2
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
59.5%
40.5%
Play Area
27%
44.6%
28.4%
Scorers
| Peter Woodgate 12, 85 Mario Corsi 77 |
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Peter Woodgate of Reading |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Peter Mendonca (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Christian Courtois (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Hauke Götz (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Omer Lisbie (DEF) |  | 6 |
| 5. | Titus May (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Mario Vecchiola (MID) | 7 | |
| 7. | Copain De Gier (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Nick Luzhny (MID) | 8 | |
| 9. | Peter Woodgate (ATT) |  | 9 |
| 10. | Kieron Windass (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Steve Naylor (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Luca Zola (GK) | 0 | |
| 13. | Mario Corsi (ATT) | | 8 |
| 14. | Steve Gascoigne (MID) | 0 | |
| 1. | Kevin Dalglish (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Simon Dublin (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Alun Heskey (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Wes Lee (DEF) | | 5 |
| 5. | Stuart Scholes (MID) | 6 | |
| 6. | Graeme Adams (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Leon Murrin (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Carl Plowright (MID) | | 6 |
| 9. | Silvain Of Hesselink (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Guillermo Ramirez (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Eddie Davis (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Dave Powell (GK) | 0 | |
| 13. | Matthew Draper (MID) | 0 | |
| 14. | Ernesto Duran (DEF) | 6 | |