Last-gasp Rasiak strike sends Royals through

Sportsdesk • Published 11 Aug 2010 22:50

GRZEGORZ Rasiak sent Reading through to the Carling Cup second round with an extra-time winner at Torquay United with only seconds left on the clock.

Brian McDermott's men will now meet Northampton Town at the Madejski Stadium in the week starting August 23.

And they will certainly hope for an easier passage than tonight's tricky tie on the English riviera.

Royals and their League Two hosts failed to break the deadlock in normal time and the fiercely-fought first-round tie at Plainmoor looked destined for penalties.

But Rasiak poked home from a badly-cleared Brian Howard cross with 120 minutes already gone.

It was harsh on the Gulls, who hit the woodwork moments earlier and arguably deserved to take it spot-kicks.

But it was a massive relief for Royals after the set- back of Saturday's Championship home defeat by Scunthorpe United.

McDermott admitted: “That was a war of attrition and you could see why Torquay hadn't conceded a goal for eight games.

“It was really tough and we had to stand up to them. They caused us problems but we're delighted to get through, especially off the back of Saturday which still irritates me.

“We felt the pain after losing to Scunthorpe. Sometimes you need to feel that but this gives us momentum going to Portsmouth this weekend.”

With a mounting injury list and others on international duty, McDermott shuffled his squad as promised and made six changes to the side that started against the Iron in the 2-1 reverse.

Rasiak and youngster Nicholas Bignall got the nod up front in a 4-4-2 formation while Howard and Jay Tabb - two surprise exclusions last weekend - were named in central midfield.

There was also a start for promising winger Michail Antonio while Ben Hamer came in between the sticks, with back-up keeper Alex McCarthy on the bench fresh from his England Under 21 debut last night.

With Matt Mills injured, Brynjar Gunnarsson started in defence and Jem Karacan also shook off a knock to take his place amongst the subs who included 16-year-old Jordan Obita plus Lawson D'Ath, 17.

It was a chance for some to give McDermott a nudge but Torquay were confident themselves. They disposed of Northampton Town 3-0 at the weekend and had not conceded a goal at home in eight games.

The hosts had the first real chance when Chris Zebroski fired over but Reading replied when Antonio's centre deserved better than Rasiak's weak finish.

It was not all one-way traffic, though, and Hamer made a smart save from Elliot Benyon.

The visitors got little joy from referee Jon Moss either. Mark Ellis deserved a yellow for a clear trip on Bignall but the West Yorkshire official did not even give a free-kick.

Then he missed an obvious handball against a Torquay player which the entire Plainmoor congregation saw.

That said, McDermott's men did not help themselves. And Howard owes Hamer a pint for bailing him out when his pass was easily intercepted giving Billy Kee a clean shot at goal.

Hamer was having a good night, bravely smothering the ball close to his line after Griffin's timely block at a corner, then Tabb volleyed wide at the other end.

But keeping possession was a different matter in a high-tempo tie. And so was defending corners as another mix-up was salvaged by a deflection off Marcus Williams' boot.

Speaking of boots, McDermott must have delivered his own at half-time. It seemed to work as Royals came storming out with Howard testing Gulls' giant keeper Scott Bevan from a free-kick, Rasiak firing wide and Antonio fluffing a chance after superb work from Howard.

Kee offered a reminder with a dipping effort over Hamer's bar but Alex Pearce saw a decent shout for a penalty turned down and Bevan was alert to another testing Howard free-kick.

There was no breaking the deadlock, and Torquay were still firmly in the tie.

Guy Branston shot wide at the beginning of extra-time then Moss rejected a second penalty appeal from Reading when Ellis seemed to foul Howard.

But the excellent Hamer was never far away from the action and the youngster showed great decision making to deny substitute Eunan O'Kane before saving from Danny Stevens.

Then when Benyon's strike beat him, the ball hit the inside of the post and came out.

The heat turned up a notch, Obita came on for his debut and with seconds left, Howards's delivery was only half-cleared allowing Rasiak to finish from close range.

McDermott also praised his patched-up defence, stating: “Alex Pearce and Brynjar Gunnarsson were excellent, they won all their headers I'm just delighted for our fans.”

Reading (4-4-2): Hamer - Griffin (c), Williams, Gunnarsson, Pearce - Kebe, Tabb, Howard, Antonio (Obita 112) - Bignall (Karacan 91), Rasiak. Subs not used: McCarthy, Cummings, D'Ath, Bell-Baggie. Booked: Gunnarsson.

Torquay United (4-4-2): Bevan - Nicholson, Stevens (Lathrope ), Branston, Robertson, - Ellis, Mansell, Wroe (c), Benyon - Zebroski, Kee (O'Kane 97). Subs not used: Rowe-Turner, Macklin, Halpin, Potter, Charnock. Booked: Zebroski, Benyon.

Referee: Jon Moss (West Yorkshire).

Attendance: 2,800.

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 11 Aug 10

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