Reading concluded the 2009/10 season with a wonderful 4-1 victory over Darren Ferguson’s Preston North End. Ferguson, who whilst managing Peterborough United saw his team recover from two goals down to beat Reading 3-2 at London Road back in September, experienced no such luck today. Reading tore the lilywhites apart and among the four Reading goals featured two serious contenders for goal of the season. Jimmy Kebe, Jobi McAnuff, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Simon Church rattled in the Reading goals, with Ross Wallace grabbing North End’s consolation.
Following on from Reading’s meeting with the Championship’s top club Newcastle United, their next opponents by a strange quirk of fate were the Championship’s bottom club, Peterborough United. For the Posh’s recently appointed manager Gary Johnson the game would be a nightmare. He would have watched in disbelief as Reading administered an absolute hiding by running up their highest score of the season in a 6-0 rout against the relegated side.
Reading suffered their first Championship home defeat since December 8th against a Newcastle United side that had already sealed an instant return, to the Premier League and had their eyes on the Championship trophy. Two first half goals from Kevin Nolan gave the Magpies all the spoils in a 2-1 victory, but Reading were given hope in the second half thanks to an own goal from Newcastle defender Danny Simpson.
Amid sunny South Wales conditions Reading held Play Off chasing Cardiff City to a 0-0 draw at the Cardiff City Stadium. The Bluebirds, who started the match in fourth place was a stiff test for Reading, especially as Dave Jones’ side had already chalked up a 1-0 win at Madejski Stadium back in September.
Reading’s classic unbeaten run came to a halt on Saturday in deepest Suffolk, but back at home, Reading’s Play Off chances were put back on track with a 3-0 win over Coventry City. Coventry had their own Play Off opportunities to consider. However they were unable to recover from Reading’s first half performance that saw the Royals storm into a three-goal lead. The game itself was well and truly over by half time as all the points stayed in Berkshire.
Reading suffered their first defeat since mid February with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Ipswich Town. Ipswich grabbed two first half goals to kill the game off shortly before half time, but Reading fans were given a glimmer of hope late in the game thanks to a goal from Gylfi Sigurdsson. The game was marred for Reading though due to the dismissal of Reading defender Matt Mills.
Pre-season friendly
27/07/2010
