Watford 1:0 Reading
Vicarage Road
9th May 04
Attendance: 17,979

Match Report

Reading's team was again not changed after the dramatic late win at home to West Brom last Saturday. It was a must win game for the Royals if they wanted any chance of sneaking into the Play Off's on the final day of the season.

Reading started ok and looked as if they could take control as the game went on although the pitch was in a less then perfect state which made it hard to pass the ball. Reading though were unable to dominate the game and instead found themselves on the back foot for much of the first half and Watford were looking to finish the season on a high after a disappointing campaign which was them finish only a few places above the relegation zone.

Jamie Ashdown was keeping Reading in the game with a couple of fine saves but with only a few minutes before half time Reading went behind. It was a sloppy goal to concede, Young on the left wing drove a low shot across the twelve yard box, the ball deflected and managed to creep in off the post in to the bottom right hand corner of the goal. Ashdown was unable to get down to it after Dyer slid in but missed the ball fooling Ashdown. Reading's chances now of making the top six were looking dead and buried especially with the score coming through that Sheffield United and Wigan were winning their respective games.

Half Time: Watford 1:0 Reading 

Steve Coppell made a half time change taking off John Salako and replacing him with Brooker. Brooker looked to make an immediate impact with a few decent balls into the box, although Watford were still looking dangerous on the break with more superb saves from Ashdown keeping The Royals in the game.

Coppell then made another two changes bring on Dean Morgan and Lloyd Owusu to replace Bas Savage and Shaun Goater. Reading were just unable to create any chances in front of goal which didn't see them clock up one shot on target all match. The closest they came to an equaliser was from a half shot from James Harper on the edge of the box that just sent past the post.

It was not going to happen and it finished in a defeat and again Reading failed to win three games on the trot, something not been done all season. Steve Coppell was very disappointed in his teams display after seeing nearly 4,000 Reading fans make the trip. If Reading want to compete at the top next season then they must sort out the inconsistency that cost us dear, the fact that we struggle against the teams near the bottom of the league needs to be addressed.

Hope you all have a good summer watching Euro 2004 and having a break and see you back in August for hopefully a promotion winning season!

Click Here for pictures from the game.

Full Time: Watford 1:0 Reading 

Man Of The Match: Many Reading players looked off form, Jamie Ashdown though was in fine form again and kept the score down. He must be given a new contract in the summer and the number one jersey with that.

Ref Watch: Him and his official were very poor, another referee to eager to blow his whistle.  

Next League Match

The fixture list for the 2004/05 season is usually out at the end of June. We will keep you posted when the news is broken.

Also over the next month make sure to check out our reviews of the season and all of the transfer gossip from the Madejski Stadium