Championship Fixture - 29th August 2005 Madejski Stadium, 3:00pm kick-off
 

TEAM LINE-UP'S

Reading - Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey (Makin), Sonko, Ingimarsson, Convey, Little, Harper, Sidwell, Kitson (Doyle), Lita

Burnley - Coyne, Thomas, (Lowe), McGreal, Duff, Harley, J O'Connor, Hyde (Spicer), Branch, G O'Connor (Sent Off), Akinbiyi, Noel-Williams

MATCH REVIEW

Steve Coppell again stuck with the side who drew 0:0 at Watford on Saturday.

The first half saw few chances created with Burnley looking if anyone the more likely to take the lead. Although it was the home side who broke the deadlock with their first real effort on goal. Good work by Dave Kitson to slide a ball through to Lita who impressively flicked the ball with the side of his foot past Danny Coyne in the Burnley goal to put Reading in the lead.

However Reading never really got going in the first half and created very little. The Royals best chance of doubling their lead came from a Bobby Convey set piece, but the American's free kick was comfortably saved by Coyne.

As half time approached The Clarets got a deserved equaliser through top scorer Ade Akinbiyi. The former Stoke striker did well to hold off the challenge if Ivar Ingimarsson before turning sharply and hitting a shot into the corner of the goal with Hahnemann beaten.

As well as conceding an equaliser Steve Coppell was forced into making a change after Dave Kitson twisted his knee and was unable to continue. Kevin Doyle took his place.

More bad news was to follow as Nicky Shorey failed to appear for the second half after a persistent ligament injury flaired up again. Chris Makin took Shorey's place at left back.

The second half begun as the first ended. Reading's most dangerous player looked to be Doyle whose trickery and pace was causing the Burnley defence a number of problems. And after missing a good chance early in the second half, Doyle more then made up for it, heading in the winning goal. It was Doyle's first goal for his new club after moving from Cork City in the summer and the Irishmen was clearly pleased with what will be hopefully the first of many more.

Reading did have to survive some small scares near the end, James O'Connor was denied with a smart save by Hahnemann but the game was all but up when in the 90th minute, Gareth O'Connor was sent off for an attempted elbow on Bobby Convey.

The win keeps The Royals in second place behind Sheffield United who are two points ahead. Reading now have two weeks till their next game with the International break.

England take on Wales in Cardiff next weekend in the World Cup Qualifiers and the 1871Royals will be there cheering on the Three Lions in the Millennium Stadium. We will bring you an exclusive match report and pictures from our visit.

Man Of The Match - Kevin Doyle
Attendance - 14,027

NEXT OPPONENTS

Coventry City (A) - Saturday 10th September 2005, 3:00pm Kick Off

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