MATCH REPORT: 2004/2005 Season

21 March 2005: LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
BRIGHTON 0 READING 1
goals
Reading: Forster (64 mins).
Brighton:
Half Time: 0-0
Attendance: 6,108

CHAMPIONSHIP 21 Mar 2005
Pos Team P Pts GD
5 Derby 38 61 +9
6 READING 39 60 +9
7 Sheff Utd 38 58 +0
teams
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Shorey, Little, Newman, Sidwell, Hughes, Kitson, Morgan (Forster 59). Subs Not Used: Keown, Harper, Brooker, Young.
Brighton: Shaaban, Reid, Hinshelwood (Hammond 24), Butters, Harding, Hart, Oatway, Virgo, Mayo (Jones 56), Knight, McCammon (McPhee 45). Subs Not Used: Watson, May.
bookings
Reading: Newman
Brighton: Butters
Referee: K Friend (Leicestershire).
report

Nicky Forster made a welcome return to first team action last night and scored the vital goal that secured Reading three points. Forster made his mark just five minutes after coming off the bench, just before the hour mark, as he bundled home the winner with 64 minutes on the clock. The goal was a rare opportunity in a poor game but it saw Reading climb back into sixth place to keep the play-off dream alive. Forster seemed to have an instant impact when he made a surprise appearance, which gave Reading a visable boost with a goalless draw looking the most likely outcome before hand. Glen Little had a good game, with some dangerous looking runs, and provided the cross that saw Forster head towards goal before bundling the ball home from the rebound. The home side finished the strongest and there were a few nervous moments including an injury time free-kick that beat Hahnemann but only found the outside side-netting.


FANS' POST MATCH OPINION

Like many fans I'm sure, watched the game in the pub on Sky and I thought we did ok against a very poor Brighton side. We certainly had the majority of the game and deserved the precious three points that yet again some how sees us back in the play offs zone. What a league this is, still any team in the top half can make the play offs. With two apparent six pointer home games coming up against Sheffield Utd and Brighton Coppell has to swallow his pride and play his best team and that must include Nicky Forster and arguably James Harper. Morgan does ok but he's young and his time will come. Forster is proven at this level and many times has scored winning goals in big games? Coppell must play him and if on song and with something to prove , up front with Kitson we have a real chance of scoring goals. If he don't play him then he's being pig headed stubborn and not listening to the fans, not that that has ever influenced a manager. At this time of the season it doesn't give a toss how you win, just get the points and graft away. Next two games will determine our destiny this season, nothing less than four points will keep the faint dream alive and another day out in Cardiff. The best team must be played, and most of us know who should be playing. Do it Coppell, show a bit of passion just for once, go on, it won't hurt and we'll applaud you for it.
Nick Newbury

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