LIVE - Reading v Doncaster Rovers

Sportsdesk • Published 30 Oct 2010 09:30 0 Comments

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FULL TIME: Reading 4 Doncaster Rovers 3

That's it and Royals have completed a sensational second-half comeback to take all three points off Donny in a seven-goal thriller.

Royals led through MATT MILLS' eighth minute opener.

But then they found themselves 3-1 behind as JAMES HAYTER (26), SHELTON MARTIS (41) and DEAN SHIELS (50) all scored for Donny.

However, JEM KARACAN gave Reading a lifeline with a 60th minute header then IAN HARTE made it 3-3 with a thunderous 25-yard free-kick in the 74 minute.

And it was left to SIMON CHUCH to finish it off with a close-range finish two minutes from time to seal a stunning victory for Royals.

88 mins. READING 4 DONCASTER 3

Incredible scenes here as Reading comoe back from 3-1 down to lead 4-3 with only a few minutes left.

It was a superb pass Howard's clever pass found Antonio who picked out SIMON CHURCH.

The Wales striker made no mistake with a cool finish from six yards.

It was his second in as many games having scored the fourth at Burnley last weekend.

What a game this has been.

GGGGGOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

87 mins. Doncaster change as Byron Webster replaces Shiels.

85 mins. Donny looking edgy as Royals search for a winner. Must be a ferw minutes of time added on so still hope yet.

82 mins. One final change for Royals as Michail Antonio replaces Robson-Kanu.

80 mins. Church puts the ball into the Donny net - but he's offside.

74 mins. READING 3 DONCASTER 3

An incredible game keeps getting better for Royals fans as IAN HARTE atones for his earlier mistake by striking the leveller.

Martis conceded a free-kick 25-yards out and HARTE smashed it over the wall and into the corner.

It was a sensational strike for the Irishman - but Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll is fuming with the officials for awarding the initial free-kick.

GGGGGGOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

69 mins. First change for Donny as Sam Hird replpaced former Royal John Oster who had a good game.

67 mins. What a miss by Reading there. Robson-Kanu was fouled on the left but, when Harte's brilliant free-kick came too him, he could only head woefully over from no more than six yards out.

64 mins. It's getting edgy as the game enters the final quarter. Donny are trying to protect their lead while Royals are throwing everything at them.

60 mins READING 2 DONCASTER 3

McDermott's changes immediately pay off as Noel Hunt does superbly well to send over a cross from the left.

And JEM KARACAN nipped in to power a header past Sullivan that went in off the post.

Royals needed a quick response - and they've found it. The fans are right behind their side now.

GGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

59 mins. Donny nearly grab a fourth as Coppinger fires inches wide.

56 mins. McDermott makes a double change as Simon Church and Noel Hunt replace Tabb and Long. Reading also go 4-4-2, they need a quick response.

49 mins. READING 1 DONCASTER 3

Nightamare for Royals - and for Ian Harte in particular as DEAN SHIELS grans a third for Donny.

Harte was either trying to control the ball or chest the ball back to his goalkeeper and got it horribly wrong, allowing Shiels to nip in and smash an angled drive past Federici into the far corner.

Massive blow for the Royals that, but at least they still have time on their side.

GGGGGOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

46 mins. And we're off again. No changes for either side yet.

HALF TIME: Reading 1 Doncaster Rovers 2

Having dominated most of the game and created a host of chances, Reading somehow find themselves 2-1 down at the break to a clinical Donny.

MATT MILLS put Royals ahead from close range in the eighth minute.

JAMES HAYTER'S header brought Donny level in the 26th minute then second later Jay Tabb missed a great chance to regain the lead for the home side.

And the visitors made Reading pay when SHELTON MARTIS headed them in front four minutes before the break.

Royals have played well but look casual at the back and Brian McDermott will be fuming.

Expect a big response second-half.

41 mins. READING 1 DONCASTER 2

Donny have completely turned this around as SHELTON MARTIS puts them in front.

Howard conceded a harsh free-kick for a foul on Coppinger. Martin Woods delivered a superb cross which Martis got to first to head home from close range amidst a crowded six yard box. Brian McDermott will be seething.

GGGGOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

38 mins. Long won't get a better chance to score than that. Ian Harte fizzed over a super free-kick which landed right on Long's head. Sadly he tried to head it back from where it came only to miss the far post with Sullivan rooted to the spot.

36 mins. Great hold-up work from Long to win a free-kick. He's given Donny's defence a tough time so far and has won absolutely everything in the air. He justs needs a goal.

32 mins. Reading waste a great chance to go in front.

Long flicks on Federici's kick and Tabb beats the offside trap to go racing through on goal with only Neil Sullivan to beat.

Tabb tries to round the former Spurs and Scotland keeper but he shows too much of the ball and Sullivan gathers and the midfielder's feet to save a certain goal.

26 mins. READING 1 DONCASTER 1

And Reading go to sleep at the back and concede a sloppy equaliser.

James Coppinger had acres of space to collect a throw-in and whip in an exquisite cross.

Worse that that, no-one picked up JAMES HAYTER either, and the striker nipped in between Royals defence to plant a superb header past Adam Federici and into the far corner.

GGGGGGOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

20 mins. Therre's been a bit of a lull as Reading look to consolidate their lead. They still look the more dangerous side and don't be surprised if there are more goals to come.

13 mins. Long shows great strength in the air to latch onto Howard's corner. But his effort is defelcted wide.

Superb sliding tackle by Mills on Dumbuya in the Reading box a moment to go. Perfectly times. Mills (Matt) looks determined to spoil Jack's big day.

12 mins. Reading close to a second there as Long is played in, but can only fire into the side netting with Neil Sullivan to beat.

READING 1 DONCASTER 0

Royals go in front through, who else, but MATT MILLS.

Brian Howard swung in a free-kick which Hal Robson-Kanu noddeed to the back post where Mills was unmarked to bundle home.

It's the centre-back's fourth of the season, making him the current joint-top goalscorer.

9 mins. GGGGGOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL

4 mins. It's been a lively start and some good football from both sides. Reading's Adam Federici makes the first real save with a smart dive to his right to hold a James Coppinger effort.

2.58 pm. We're almost ready to go and what a day it's going to be in the Mills household as Royals skipper, Matt, faces younger brother, Joseph, who is celebrating his 21st birthday today.

2.40pm. Not long to go now and the excitement is already building.

Royals are desperate to return to winning ways at home after losing to Brendan Rodgers' Swansea in their last Madejski Stadium fixture.

But Donny have had an impressive start to the campaign and start today level on points with the hosts.

2.30pm. Hello, it's a lovely afternoon for football and the teams have been announced nice and early.

Reading are unchanged from last weekend when they thrashed Burnley 4-0 at Turf Moor.

Jimmy Kebe is not involved again due to injury, so Hal Robson-Kanu plays instead.

Donny include ex-Royals winger John Oster in their starting line-up, while striker Billy Sharp is out through injury.

Reading (4-5-1): Federici - Griffin, Mills (c), Khizanishvili, Harte - Robson-Kanu, Karacan, Howard, McAnuff - Tabb - Long. Subs not used: McCarthy, Hunt, Antonio, Church, Cummings, Pearce, Armstrong.

Doncaster: Sullivan - Dumbuya, Martis, O'Connor, Mills - Coppinger, Woods, Stock, Oster - Shiels, Hayter. Subs: Woods, Chambers, Wilson, Hird, Webster, Thomas.

The referee is Grant Hegley (Herts).

Welcome to the Madejski Stadium for live coverage of today's Championship clash.

Can Royals return to winning ways at home following their defeat by Brendan Rodgers' Swansea City a fortnight ago?

Or will Donny prove their impressive start to the season is no fluke by returning to the north with the points?

Kick off is 3pm.

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 30 Oct 10

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