News and Views
Stoke Halt Royals Run
09 February 2013
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading's undefeated run of six games, four in the Premier League, came to an end with a 1-2 defeat at Stoke City. The Royals, now famous for late comebacks, came close to repeating that feat once more after finding themselves 0-2 down inside the last ten minutes. As is quickly becoming the normal for Reading this season, most of the game was uneventful, with the game finally coming to life when the home side took the lead on 67 minutes. It was 0-2 with 81 minutes on the clock - and it was only then that Reading looked the most dangerous. Ian Hart supplied the corner for Mariappa to head home to make it 1-2 with seven minutes to play and Reading continued to push forward. Brian McDermott expressed his disappointment after Le Fondre, again off the bench, looked like he'd won a penalty deep in injury time, only for the referee to dismiss the claim - and deny Reading a chance to claim another dramatic late point.
The defeat for Reading allowed Aston Villa to move ahead of Reading with a victory over West Ham on the Sunday. The Royals now find themselves back in 18th place with the next league game the visit of 19th placed Wigan Athletic on the 23rd of February. That's a massive game which will go a long way to survival in the Premier League - or not. Before that Reading have to travel to Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup, which has been re-arranged for next Monday night due to TV schedules.
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