MATCH REPORT: 2008/2009 Season
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12 May 2009: LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
READING 0 BURNLEY 2
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goals
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Reading: -
Burnley: Paterson (51 mins), Thompson (58 mins). |
Half Time: 0-0 Attendance: 19,909
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teams
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Reading:
Hahnemann, Rosenior, Pearce, Duberry, Harding, Kebe (Kitson 53), Gunnarsson, Matejovsky (Stephen Hunt 52), Tabb, Church (Little 53), Long.
Subs Not Used: Federici, Cisse.
Burnley: Jensen, Duff, Carlisle, Caldwell, Kalvenes, Elliott (Eagles 84), Alexander, McCann, Paterson (Gudjonsson 71), Thompson (Rodriguez 79), Blake. Subs Not Used: Penny, McDonald. |
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bookings
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Reading: Duberry, Kitson, Long.
Burnley: Kalvenes, Elliott. Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire). |
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report
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Reading fans were finally put out of their misery tonight in a manner which mirrored their season. The opportunity was there, expectations were raised by a stirring first half performance, and then the massive disappointment of defeat followed. Pessimism had already reached a huge number of Reading fans before the game. In spite of having the chance to see their team secure a place in the play-off final 5000 fewer tickets were sold than last week. The selection of Church must have caught everyone by surprise especially Hunt and Kitson who I understand were both more that a little miffed at finding themselves on the bench.
The fans who had made the effort to support their team were in fine voice from the start and the team rose to the occasion. Kebe and Church showed some good touches on the flanks and Long was working very hard up front. Gunnarsson was moving the ball around well and making some excellent runs behind the Burnley defence. Matejovsky was having an indifferent game but still managed to pick out some superb passes. Burnley were clearly rattled by the ferocity of the Royals opening onslaught. The crucial opening goal almost came from Long when his powerful shot forced a good save from Jensen. Burnley issued a warning with a volley which was deflected just over following a rare sortie into the Reading half. Just before half time referee Riley who was having a typically poor game was guilty of an absolute howler. Jensen came flying out of his area to foil Long and handle the ball. A red card is often produced under those circumstances but Riley did not even book him. Having played so well in the first half, expectations of good result for the Royals were high. Then against the run of play Burnley scored. Harding and Tabb could not make their mind up who should pick up Paterson wide on the left. While they sorted themselves out, the Burnley forward cut inside and swung his weaker foot from a long way out and the ball curled inside the far post. I suspect a more agile 'keeper ( like Federici for example) might have reached it. It stunned the home fans. Within seven minutes Thompson had repeated the treatment from the other flank and at that point it was all over. Reading never looked like scoring even with Kitson, Hunt and Little on in place of Church, Matejovsky and Kebe. There was still time for Long and Kitson to demonstrate why the team have struggled since January wasting good opportunities through a lack of composure at the crucial moment. Burnley might have added a third when Hahnmemann came for a ball he was never likely to reach and was very fortunate that the ball bounced wide of the unguarded net. A small number of loyal fans cheered their team until to the end while significant number headed despondently for the car park. It was painful to watch the dying minutes of the game with Reading scampering around knowing their chance had gone and the season was over. Burnley celebrated as Reading contemplated another season in the Championship. The cause was not helped tonight by the absence of Noel Hunt, Ingimarsson, Doyle, Armstrong and Bikey. Steve Coppell feels there are a 100 reasons why Reading failed to win promotion but for me the main reason is that there are too many players in the squad who are simply not up to the job. Keeping possession is fundamental to success. Reading used to have players throughout the team with god touch and the ability to pass. Pearce stood out tonight because he was the only defender who looked comfortable on the ball. I lie Long for his honest endeavour by his touch often lets him down and along with Kebe, Hunt and Rosenior gave the ball away far too often. If Steve Coppell stays, and I hope he does, he must be given the resources to build a squad of better players. John Wells |
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