MATCH REPORT: 2005/2006 Season

5 November 2005: LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
QPR 1 READING 2
goals
Reading: Harper (10 mins), Ingimarsson (66 mins).
QPR: Cook (47 mins).
Half Time: 0-1
Attendance: 15,347

CHAMPIONSHIP 5 Nov 2005
Pos Team P Pts GD
1 Sheff Utd 18 44 +23
2 READING 18 41 +20
3 Watford 18 32 +10
teams
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Little (Oster 63), Harper, Sidwell, Convey (Hunt 71), Kitson, Doyle. Subs Not Used: Stack, Makin, Obinna.
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Evatt, Dyer, Langley, Doherty, Santos, Cook, Sturridge (Ainsworth 44), Gallen. Subs Not Used: Cole, Milanese, Moore, Shimmin.
bookings
Reading: Little, Kitson.
QPR: Gallen.
Referee: A Leake (Lancashire).
report

Reading extended their undefeated run to a massive 20 games, with a hard fought victory over Queens Park Rangers. This was another determined performance from the Royals and a deserved win despite a few second half scares as QPR enjoyed a better start to the second half. The first half had seen Reading comfortably on top, not for the first time this season. In fact, the Royals might have moved a goal up straight from the kick-off when Doyle was played through. Doyle's one-on-one with the goalkeeper saw Doyle end up second best, but it was a clear statement of Reading's intent. Just ten minutes into the game Reading went ahead. Sidwell, remaining in the starting eleven with Gunnarsson still sidelined through injury, was instrumental in the first goal. His pass found Dave Kitson in the area who flicked the ball through to Harper. Harper charged onto the ball and drove a low shot into the bottom of the net from the centre of the area.

The Royals continued to enjoy the better of the first half, with the home side struggling to make an impression against a solid Reading defence. QPR continually hit a wall with October award winning Sonko and Ingimarsson in top form. QPR's frustrations started to show and Hahnemann was rarely troubled in the Reading goal. The second half saw the game turn back to Rangers as they immediately pulled level with a shot from the edge of the area before Reading had settled down. The final result could have gone either way as both sides battled hard in a lively half. After some pressure it was Reading that scored the vital goal on sixty six minutes after a John Oster corner. Ingimarsson capped an excellent performance with a header to match that made it 2-1 and wrapped up the three points - Reading's fifth away win of the campaign so far.

Sheffield United also managed to win, yet again, as the top two sides in the Championship consolidated their positions even further. Watford remain nine points behind Reading after picking up an away win at Hull, although Luton Town slipped up allowing Watford to pull four points clear in third place. The Royals are now sixteen points clear of Southampton who currently hold sixth place - the last place-off position.

FANS' POST MATCH OPINION

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