Play-offs here we come.

By: Ben | May 6th, 2009

It was a noble effort, but one that was too little too late. There was never more than a slim chance Reading would reach Automatic Promotion, and multiple scenarios could have panned out depending on different results throughout the League. Despite this, sods law they turned out to be just what what we wanted!

Other results across the board;
Burnley 4-0 Bristol City
Charlton 4-2 Norwich
Crystal Palace 0-0 Sheff Utd
Ipswich 2-1 Coventry
Nottm Forest 3-1 Southampton
Plymouth 1-2 Barnsley
Preston 2-1 QPR
Reading 1-2 Birmingham
Sheff Wed 1-0 Cardiff
Swansea 0-1 Blackpool
Watford 3-1 Derby
Wolves 1-0 Doncaster

Reading (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Rosenior, Bikey, Duberry (c), Harding (Doyle 56); Kebe, Tabb, Karacan (Matejovski 54), S.Hunt; Long, Kitson.
Subs not used: Federici, Cisse, Gunnarsson.

Blues (4-4-2): Taylor; Carr, Jaidi, Taylor, Traore; McFadden (Larsson 65), Johnson, Carsley (c), Fahey; Jerome (O’Connor 80), Phillips (Bouazza 72).
Subs not used: Doyle, Bent.

As the much anticipated last day arrived, the weather in Berkshire could not have been better. The sun shined, and it was warm with a slight breeze, completely unlike last season’s stifling hot relegation battle. Walking into the Madejski you were surrounded by a sell-out blue and white sea, and the noise was enough to bring out the neighbours complaining.

Right from kick-off, Reading played well. The ball was fed well and a few breakthroughs, though coming to nothing, showed off our more ostentatious side. Kebe had a great chance, latching onto the end of a fantastic cross from Bikey. He cut inside of the defence, into the box, but the finish wasn’t quite enough, Taylor catching the ball easily and with no real discomfort. However this great run of play only lasted until the 10th or so minute, when things went far far astray. One stray cross led to another, and slopping passing and lacklustre possession became the regular style of play. Birmingham however, took the reigns and grabbed the game by the throat. It was no surprise then, when the chances started. What was a surprise, was first goal. Granted, the Blues were floating the ball round well, and the goal capped off a well crafted move, but what riled me about the nature of the goal was that Cameron Jerome, in an offside position when the ball was hit, was stood directly infront of Hahnemann, and raised his leg as the ball slid under him. This appeared to hinder Hahnemann, who you’d bet your house on to save that kind of shot on any other day. Keith Fahey was accredited with the goal.

As mentioned in the Norwich report, Kebe and Hunt were on opposite wings than it would seem sensible to play them in; Kebe on the left and Hunt on the right. I’m not one to disturb a winning side though, and it seemed to be working out. Reading, despite both goals on Monday coming from crosses, seemed reluctant to place a ball inside the Birmingham box. When one finally did, Rosenior the architect, the Reading forwards simply stood and watched, all it needed was a toe stuck in the way, but nothing came. On that disappointing note, the first half finished.
During the break, the stadium found out that United were still being held to a draw by Palace, and this kept what little hopes we had still alive.

In the second half, Reading looked the less lively of the two teams. Hunt and Kebe switched back to the ‘regular’ set-up in an attempt to beat the offside trap. Again, Birmingham often broke and Reading passes often went astray. Duberry especially was not showing his experience, often looking sketchy at the heart of the defence. Shortly into the half, on-loan defender Dan Harding was replaced with much missed Kevin Doyle, and Karacan made way for Matejovsky. Stephen Hunt moved to left-back, and Kitson played the wing role. The effect was immediate. Birmingham were being closed down a lot quicker, and once again the spark was in the Royals’ game.

I feared this was too late for us, and was proved right as the visitors got a second, though again swamped in controversy. Fahey clipped a pass to Phillips, and he cooly slotted into the corner whilst the home side appealed for an offside. The flag however, stayed down. Now I was sat right in line with the pass on the day and I thought Phillips had mistimed his run, appearing just infront of the back line. After watching replays…I’m still sure it shouldn’t have stood.

Only a minute later, Matejovsky echoed what I’ve been saying for a lot of the season, showing his talent by bringing the ball into the Brum box, dummying, shooting, hitting the back of the net through the beautifully placed bottom-corner shot. It was a great feeling, the sea of white and blue exploding.
And he nearly did it again, 3 minutes later running circles around the defence and shooting with pristine fashion from a tight angle. Taylor was forced into a fantastic save, and then brought Shane Long down sprawling for the ball. No penalty was given and I’m not too surprised to say the least. After his shocker in the Premiership last weekend, referee Howard Webb was not going to be giving any spot-kicks that he had any doubt about. Despite looking good at the front now, there was space at the back, and Gary O’Connor hit the Reading woodwork on the break. As we entered the 6 minutes of added time, it was far too late for Reading by now, and the 2,000 travelling fans were the ones celebrating when the whistle finally blew.

I’m not too bitterly dissapointed, our home form has let us down, and since then noone’s been expecting less than play-offs. We face Burnley, a good passing team, and we need to be aware of the threat they pose in the middle of the field. The first leg will be away on Saturday, the second following at home on Tuesday the 12th.

Until then, I’ll get some media up to ease the pain. Ha!

URZZ