Match Report: 2011/2012 Season

6 March 2012: CHAMPIONSHIP
READING 1 PORTSMOUTH 0
goals
Reading: Hunt (24 mins).
Portsmouth: -.
Half Time: 1-0.

Attendance: 18,399.

CHAMPIONSHIP 6 Mar 2012
Pos Team P Pts GD
2 West Ham 33 64 +21
3 READING 34 63 +16
4 Middlesbrough 34 59 +8
teams
Reading: A Federici, I Harte, K Gorkss, A Pearce, S Cummings, J McAnuff (T Cywka, 89), M Leigertwood, J Karacan, H Robson-Kanu (A Le Fondre, 69), N Hunt, J Roberts.
Subs not used: J Tabb, S Church, M Andersen.
Portsmouth: S Henderson, G Halford, R Rocha, J Pearce, J Ward, A Mokoena, H Mullins, D Norris (D Kitson, 79), G Thorne, S Allan (M Futacs, 84), L Varney.
Subs not used: J Ashdown, A Webster, K Etuhu.
bookings
Reading: -
Portsmouth: -
Ref: Oliver Langford.
report
A flash of brilliance from Jason Roberts and Noel Hunt provided Reading with their seventh consecutive win as they continue to close in on stumbling Saints and Hammers at the summit of the Championship. The Royals found a good rhythm in their passing for a spell in the first half during which they scored a simple but stunning goal. Jason Roberts received a pass out wide on the right, accelerated past the full back and whipped in a ferocious cross which Noel Hunt met perfectly to glance past Pompey 'keeper Henderson. Pompey's morale was understandably low given their financial difficulties and were unable to raise their game. The Royals didn't need to, so the second half was a dull affair. Pompey failed to register a shot on target throughout the entire game. Their fans have to be admired for their loyalty and commitment for encouraging their manager and their team throughout and after the game.

Even with injuries to Connolly and Kebe Reading's pattern of play was not disrupted. Cummings and Robson-Kanu were more than adequate replacements. Apart from the goal Hunt won just about everything in the air which is remarkable given his size. Equally remarkable is how Jason Roberts seems incapable of winning anything in the air. McAnuff tormented the Pompey defence and good quality crosses flew in from either wing. The only blight on the first half was some absolutely appalling refereeing.

The second half was disappointing to say the least as Pompey laboured in midfield, passed the ball well, and got absolutely nowhere. The referee and his incompetent assistant continued to make absurd decisions. The Royals contained their opponents with ease without looking likely to add to their slender lead. Le Fondre came on and was close to scoring with his first touch deflecting a McAnuff cross into the side netting. Pearce headed wide from a corner but neither 'keeper had much to do. Former Reading favourite David (what a bargain) Kitson came on to generous applause from the home fans but he barely got a touch. Holding on to a one goal lead can be nerve racking but on this occasion the result was never in any doubt.

There are no obvious weaknesses in this team and everyone is playing equally well, but I doubt if there is a better passer of the ball in the Championship than Ian Harte. Since his return from injury this season he has found a new lease of life. He even looks sharper defensively than he did towards the end of last season. If Reading can maintain this form automatic promotion is more than a possibility.

John Wells
FANS' POST MATCH OPINION

On and on this amazing run continues and all fans are talking about is promotion, will we do it automatically or the dreaded play offs? Well one thing is for sure if we carry with this form and win most of our remaining games we'll not only go up but be champions, but, as we all know, that is highly unlikely. We evolved into a team that can grind out results, and last night was a classic dirty 1-0 win. Amazingly some people are moaning about the way we are playing! You really couldn't make it up..... Pompey were dreadful last night and I for one hope they do not go out of business even if we would benefit points wise, they are a club with great history and it would be tragic if they go out of business. I believe the key to our success has been the defence, Feds, Gorks and Pearcy have been immense and all great teams are built on a strong defence. Midfield are doing ok Karacan's work rate is immense compared to Lardarse Leigertwood who frustrates the fans with his apparent casual attitude though I think that's unfair as he's a good hub for the midfield. Roberts does a great job holding the ball upfront and continues to be a lucky charm. Very exciting times, but still twelve games to go tough game v Leicester Saturday then three aways games on the trot, emerge from those four with eight points or more would be tremendous, then we really can start to say.... here we go again! URZ
nicknewbury

Not much of interest to say really, the 1st half we seemed bright, especially Roberts when he played towards the wings (he created Hunt's goal by pushing out to the right hand side of the box - Suarez style), but 2nd half was poor and if Pompey had a cutting edge they could well have grabbed something from that game.
But what an amazing run, when will it end??? Can't fault the players, they got the result once again, and the march up the table may continue through March .. :?
MOM - Pearce
moo

Remember 08/09? The season where Coppell's team finished 4th in a 3-horse race? One of the teams which overtook us on the final furlong was Birmingham and we all bemoaned the fact they seemed to grind out one-nilers. Seems we are the 'Birmingham 08/09' of this season's Championship. Even a pessimistic b@stard like me never expected Portsmouth to score tonight if they'd played til midnight. They didn't really give it a go in all honesty, but Reading were as comfortable as ever at the back, Roberts led the line well and with ALF missing a couple of presentable chances it should have been 2 or 3-0. Federici meanwhile never got his gloves dirty.
You'd have to expect there to be tougher challenges somewhere along the line. If not, LOL @ the Championship.
floyd__streete

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QUOTES FROM THE PRESS

Noel Hunt fired Reading to a seventh straight win to lift them to within a point of second-placed West Ham. Hunt headed in from Jason Roberts's cross midway through the opening period as the Royals maintained their push for automatic promotion. Youngster Scott Allan was financially-troubled Portsmouth's main threat. Michael Appleton's team dropped to the bottom of the Championship table after extending their run without a win to seven matches.

Reading controlled the game from the start but Alex Pearce and Kaspars Gorkss missed with early headers. Brian McDermott's side took the lead when Ian Harte fed Roberts, whose cross from the right was powerfully headed past Stephen Henderson by Hunt. The hosts should have doubled their advantage just before the break when Hal Robson-Kanu headed straight at Henderson from Jobi McAnuff's dangerous cross. Allan was denied by a fine block after a clever run just after the hour before Luke Varney saw his follow-up charged down. Use accessible player and disable flyout menus Allan failed to test Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici from 40 yards and 30 yards before Hunt hit the side-netting following another fine ball from McAnuff.

BBC Sport