Reading Football Club News: November 2019
Five Minute Puscas Hat-Trick Steals Win
30 November 2019
By 2019-11-30
George Puscas ended his goalscoring drought in dramatic fashion as he smashed in a second half hat-trick in just five minutes to give Reading a big win on the road at Wigan. The Royals looked to be heading for a defeat, with Puscas looking largely anonymous, until his three goals turned the fixture around and gave Reading three points as they pulled further away from the bottom three.
Reading were behind for most of the game after Wigan took the lead just after the half hour mark. Rafael made a save from a header after a corner but couldn't stop the rebound being scored from close range. Despite Reading having plenty of the ball in the first half they rarely threatened and instead it was Wigan that might have doubled their lead before half time but the ball defelcted just wide of Rafael's post. Puscas failed to take an opportunity towards the end of the half and it was looking like it might be another one of those days for the Reading striker.
However, Puscas pulled Reading level on 79 minutes, putting his penalty straight down the middle after Boye was fouled in the area. A minute later Puscas twisted through the Wigan defence to put Reading ahead and get his second with an excellent finish. Garath McCleary, enjoying his time back in the Reading team, was provider with the cross that saw Puscas complete his dramatic quick-fire hat-trick - and an important win for Reading - on 84 minutes.
What you might have missed in the Royals' loss to Leeds
27 November 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?
The Royals recently suffered their second successive defeat at the hands of Leeds United on November 26, at the Madejski Stadium. It was the 87th minute header scored by Jack Harrison that caused the first home loss for the Royals manager.
On the whole, it was a pretty harsh result for the hosts as they played some really spirited defensive football, and did their best to keep the Whites as far away as possible from their half of the pitch, for most part of the game. However, right when it seemed that both teams will need to settle with a point each, the Leeds winger finished off his side's quick counter attack with a well-connected header. The game had a lot of money riding on it in the betting markets, and considering the fact that football is the most popular amongst all the top sports betting markets of the world, everyone had hoped for a nail-biting encounter. Let's now tell you about some bits from the game that you might have missed.
McDermott watching on
One extremely interested spectator who just couldn't let his eyes off the game was former Royals manager Brian McDermott. He sported a wry smile on his face as he saw his two former clubs clash on the football pitch, standing in the Director's box. The 58 year old was in charge of Reading FC from 2019 to 2013, and successfully guided them to championship victory in 2012. He later joined Leeds United, but didn't stick around for more than a year at Elland Road. He was joined in the box by Steve Holland, the England assistant boss and Nigel Adkins, the fellow former Royals manager, who is pretty regular at their matches.
Cheeky celebration of Patrick Bamford
It wasn't for the first time that Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford received some treatment from the Reading fans. Some woeful finishes last season also saw him getting a lot of flak. There wasn't much for him in the Tuesday night's game, however, even when he did get a chance, he couldn't convert it into goal. Nevertheless, even a slight bit failure was enough for Reading fans to mock him well. However, when Harrison scored the late winner for the team, Bamford couldn't stop himself from taking a cheeky dig at the home team supporters. He could be seen mocking the fans and sending a few selective words in their direction.
Honouring a young fan
The 19th minute of the game witnessed a large round of applause in honour of Ryan Duval, a young fan of Reading. He was an ardent Royals fan and had designed a unique shirt for the team that they wore for a game in 2015. The former Tilehurst pupil passed away recently. Reading fans showed everyone how much they love their own by honouring the teenager in a unique way and breaking into a round of applause during the first half in his remembrance.
Late Goal Sees Royals Miss Out On Point
26 November 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Leeds United moved to the top of the table with a late goal to deny Reading a point they had worked so hard to achieve. The goal came from a very quick counter attack after John Swift's free kick from just outside the box had been saved by the Leeds 'keeper Casilla. United streamed forward in numbers catching the Royals off guard. Costa's deflected cross was headed in from close range by Jack Harrison at the far post. It was a cruel blow for Reading who had defended magnificently against a Leeds side who had played some superb passing football throughout the game.
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First Defeat For Bowen As Reading Manager
23 November 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?
A packed Griffin Park experienced what was always going to be a tight game with both teams currently in a run of good form. It was high tempo encounter from the start but Reading dictated play for sufficiently long periods of the first half to cause concern amongst the home fans without threatening the Brentford goal. Puscas wasted their best opportunity with a poor touch and a delayed decision to shoot allowing Raya to come off his line and snuff out the danger. The second half was a very different story with Brentford putting the Royals defence under considerable pressure from the re-start. They attacked with width and pace exposing the gaps created by Yiadom and Richards getting forward. That pressure finally paid off with good ball into the box from Jensen and a well-executed header from Watkins after sixty-two minutes. Reading struggled to create chances in spite of Mark Bowen making use of all three of his attacking options on the bench and Brentford held on to their lead to secure the points.
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Another Win As Royals Climb Table
09 November 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?
The remarkable transformation of Reading's season continued with a thoroughly convincing three goal victory over struggling Luton. Raphael beat away Crainey's shot on eight minutes which proved to be The Hatters only attempt on target in the entire match. With better finishing Reading would have been out of sight by half time such was their dominance in all areas of the pitch. However they had to settle for a comfortable two goal cushion at the interval with well taken goals from Morrison and Ejaria. There was perhaps a little concern amongst the home fans of a repeat of the previous home win over Millwall in which The Royals hung on to a two one win after leading by the same margin at half time. They need not have worried, for although Luton enjoyed a long spell of possession after the interval, Raphael was not called upon to make a save. Substitute McCleary finally removed any lingering doubts of a Luton revival with a winner eleven minutes from time.
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Seven Points From Nine Under Bowen
02 November 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading's revival under new manager Mark Bowen continued with a second successive home win against a Millwall side also adjusting to playing under a new boss. Brilliant strikes form Obita and Baldock proved to sufficient to secure the points in spite a spirited response from the visitors following a Jed Wallace goal against the run of play after sixty three minutes. Reading were not helped by losing Luke Moore due to a recurrence of his recent shoulder injury early in the second half. There were some anxious moments in the Reading penalty area in final twenty minutes but determination and a little luck enabled them to produce a win which continues the momentum gained in recent games.
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