Royals end barren run in style
Anthony Smith • Published 23 Feb 2011 01:15
0 Comments
Share this
click to enlarge
Celebrations: Reading players contratulate Shane Long on his winning goal against Millwall. Pic: Chris Forsey.
See also:
Reading 2 - 1 Millwall
READING secured their first win in seven Championship matches thanks to a gritty 2-1 victory over Millwall at the Madejski Stadium.
A string of draws plus defeats to promotion-chasing QPR and Norwich City left Royals' play-off chances hanging by a thread.
But Tuesday night's impressive win fired Brian McDermott's side back up to ninth and re-ignited hopes of a top-six finish.
Royals showed plenty of steel against the Lions, though it was their Irish partnership of Shane Long and Noel Hunt who did the real damage on the night.
Hunt got Reading off to a dream start when he fired home his second goal in two games with less than three minutes on the clock following a move orchestrated by Long.
But Millwall substitute Neil Harris levelled with his first touch 20 seconds into the second-half to make it 1-1.
However, Hunt then turned provider by crossing for Long to slam home a delicious first-time effort from 12 yards in the in 55th minute to seal a much-needed victory.
"Shane's partnership with Noel Hunt works well," beamed McDermott. "When I was chief scout I watched Noel play a lot in Scotland and he's one that defenders hate to play against.
"He didn't stop working. The last thing you want is someone to come to the Madejski and outwork us."
And he added: "That one was for the fans, together we've had a lot of disappointments lately. We've given a lot without the rewards we possibly deserved. We've got a win here and I'm sure it will kick us on.
"To a man, our players worked hard for the supporters and they'll go home a lot more pleased after that."
A full debut for goalkeeper Alex McCarthy in place of the injured Adam Federici was one of three Reading changes. Shaun Cumming replaced Ian Harte while Jay Tabb came in for Brian Howard.
Supporters were still taking their seats when when Long raced down the left and whipped over a cross. Millwall's Jimmy Abdou fluffed his clearance to Hunt who chested it down before hammering a shot beyond Forde's reach from 15 yards for the perfect start.
But Millwall improved and some expert deliveries from ex-Royal James Henry led to a flurry of chances for the visitors.
But Tamika Mkandawire headed inches wide on two occasions and Steve Morison's shot was blocked by Leigertwood on the line during a spell of desperate Royals defending.
Yet the home side survived and should have pinched a second goal four minutes before the break when Jobi McAnuff's cleverly disguised pass gave an unmarked Cummings a clear sight at goal. Sadly, the right-back suffered a rush of blood and sliced his shot miles over the bar.
It could have been a costly miss as Harris equalised almost straight from the restart having replaced Hameur Bouazza at the interal.
The 33-year-old collected Abdou's pass before volleying past the helpless McCarthy from just inside the box with his first touch of the game.
Given Reading's recent run, they could easily have dropped their heads. But, spurred on by a vocal crowd, they regained the lead in the 55th minute.
Cummings and Jimmy Kebe combined down the left before Hunt's cross reached Long who calmly steered the ball past David Forde for his 16th goal of the season.
Reading coasted home from there with McCarthy rarely troubled, and a relieved McDermott admitted: "After winning, I can talk about the last six games, and what should and could have been. "When you haven't had justice, it's nice to get some. I'm delighted for every single one of the players in the dressing room."
Reading: (4-4-2): McCarthy - Cummings, Mills (c), Ingimarsson, Griffin - Kebe, Leigertwood, Tabb, McAnuff
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 23 Feb 11
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.
