Advantage West Ham again as Reading bottle it

COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP

MATCH REPORT

Reading squandered a lead at home to Wolverhampton to slip back out of the Play-Offs and will now have to go to Wigan's JJB Stadium next Sunday and claim all three points to stand a realistic chance of making the top six.

It started so well for The Royals who took the lead within ten minutes through Nicky Forster but Wolves were allowed large periods of possession and when they did eventually level another goal from the visitors was inevitable.

Nicky Shorey failed to shrug off an injury which meant Andy Hughes reverted to the left back possession with Glen Little recalled on the right wing and James Harper moving back into the middle of midfield alongside Steven Sidwell.

The visitors started well but were pegged back when Nicky Forster gave Reading a eighth minute lead with a superb volley leaving Wolves keeper Michael Oakes with no chance. It came from a long kick up field from Marcus Hahnemann, Dave Kitson nodded the ball down into Forster's path and the striker did the rest.

But instead of looking to increase their lead Reading were happy to sit back and contain Wolves, hoping to hit Glenn Hoddle's side on the break. The influential Seyi Olofinjana was causing Reading the most problems the classy midfielder also tested Hahnemann on a number of occasion with decent long range efforts on goal.

Half Time: Reading 1:0 Wolves

Into the second half and Wolves set out their intentions from the start as straight from kick off Kenny Miller was unlucky with an effort. Reading were unable to string together two passes as they were playing like a team at the foot of the table and not one chasing a Play-Off place.

As Wolves missed chance after chance it was inevitable eventually they would draw level. The only surprise was they had to wait till the 54th minute. A corner by Lee Naylor found the head of the unmarked Leon Clarke and the striker made it 1:1 with the help of a deflection.

Reading still were unwilling to go forward, their lacklustre approach and inability to create any chances just showed what this team has been missing for many months. Its amazing what a bit of investment in the team could have done when we needed it most. Wolves were classy playing some beautiful football which carved Reading apart, Reading answer to it was long ball after long ball which got The Royals nowhere. Ivar Ingimarsson came on against his former team to tighten Reading up but it seemed to have little effect.

Rohan Ricketts came mightily close to putting Wolves ahead when his shot from the edge of the box from another Naylor corner skimmed Hahnemann's right hand post. Rickets though did find the way to go ten minutes later when the Tottenham loanee was allowed to stroll through the Reading defence without being tackled to finish well. Its not often West Ham supporters were cheering on a Tottenham player.

All Reading could create in the time remaining was a poor effort from Harper which was straight at keeper Oakes and  substitute Les Ferdinand who fired straight at the Wolves keeper deep in injury time with a clear aim at goal.

So Reading now need to produce a minor miracle to secure a Play-Off position. Two defeats on the trot show this team needs major changes during the summer if Reading are not successful this campaign to stay competing at the top end of the table. With Wigan needing a win to secure automatic promotion it is sure to be a nervous atmosphere inside the JJB Stadium next Sunday. But if Reading continue to play as they have done in their last two games it will be a stroll in the park for the Latics.

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Full Time: Reading 1:2 Wolves

Man Of The Match: Andy Hughes

Again there was no great performances in the Reading side. Though Andy Hughes did well playing out of possession and gave another energetic performance.

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NEXT LEAGUE MATCH

8th May 2005, JJB Stadium, 1:00 PM Kick Off

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