Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Red Cross |
Match Report
It's a warm sunny day here at Madejski Stadium where Reading play host to Hartlepool United. A crowd of 15,657 fill this 21,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in great condition.
Reading are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Hartlepool United appear to be shaped for 4-2-3-1.
Today's match is refereed by Wayne Marsden.
The pitch is in great condition.
Reading are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Hartlepool United appear to be shaped for 4-2-3-1.
Today's match is refereed by Wayne Marsden.
0.00
0-0Reading start the match!
2.59
0-0Nick Luzhny hits a low pass to Steve Naylor. Steve Naylor advances inside the box! Steve Naylor makes some space for himself and shoots at goal but Liam Waters is on top of it.
8.01
0-1Dave Murphy darts forward. Dave Murphy flicks a high pass forward. Matt Law controls it well on his chest. Matt Law plays a sublime one-two with Les Owen and races in on goal... Some good footwork from Matt Law provides some space. He shoots at goal. Peter Mendonca is helpless! The ball slams into the back of the net - goal!!
14.02
0-1Nick Luzhny hacks Simon Fletcher from behind! Nick Luzhny is given a warning by the referee! Simon Fletcher hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
16.56
0-1Copain De Gier deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Steve Naylor. Steve Naylor threads the ball through to Kieron Windass but he's offside!
18.49
Christian Courtois darts forward. Without breaking stride, Christian Courtois plays the ball forward to Steve Naylor. Steve Naylor runs straight at the defence! Some silky footwork from Steve Naylor provides him some room. He curls a shot at goal. Magnificent save by Liam Waters!
21.44
Jason Pearson deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Kieron Windass. Kieron Windass shoots from distance. The ball swerves in the air but the keeper is more than a match for it. Nice keeping!
22.53
Omer Lisbie flicks a high pass forward. Copain De Gier collects the pass. Copain De Gier threads the ball through to Steve Naylor. Steve Naylor threads the ball through to Peter Woodgate but he's offside!
28.11
0-1Christian Courtois catches Matt Law on the ankles. Christian Courtois is shown the yellow card! Matt Law stretches but gets up unharmed.
30.43
0-1Jason Pearson makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Kieron Windass. Kieron Windass knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
34.13
Nick Luzhny flicks the ball to his team mate, Steve Naylor. Steve Naylor makes a great pass forward. Peter Woodgate runs clear and latches on but the linesman indicates offside!
36.49
0-1Jason Pearson makes a probing pass to Kieron Windass. Kieron Windass sees Peter Woodgate just inside the box and quickly passes the ball. Peter Woodgate cuts inside the defence and shoots at goal but it's well over the bar!
38.20
Hauke Götz makes a probing pass to Nick Luzhny. Nick Luzhny threads a neat ball through to Steve Naylor. Steve Naylor runs straight at the defence! Steve Naylor shoots from just inside the box. Liam Waters is helpless! The ball slams into the back of the net - goal!!
42.52
Dean Rodgers threads a neat ball through to Gilles Vieira. Gilles Vieira shoots from 20 yards but he gets too far under it and it goes high into the crowd!
45.00
The whistle blows and the first half comes to an end!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Reading have changed their lineup with Franceco Sgrò replacing Kieron Windass. Hartlepool United appear unchanged since the first half. The Reading players look more determined than they did at the start of the game.
45.00
Hartlepool United start the second half!
47.03
Dean Rodgers sees Gilles Vieira in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Gilles Vieira lofts in a cross ball towards Les Owen. With a superhuman jump, Les Owen connects with the ball and heads it goalwards. Solid save from Peter Mendonca.
48.12
Nick Luzhny makes an attacking run forward. Nick Luzhny shoots from 25 yards. Solid save from Liam Waters.
53.18
Copain De Gier runs straight at the opposition's defence. Copain De Gier knocks in a cross ball towards Franceco Sgrò. With a superhuman jump, Franceco Sgrò connects with the ball and heads it goalwards. What a cracker!! Liam Waters had no chance!! Goal for Reading!
57.22
Omer Lisbie makes a probing pass to Jason Pearson. Jason Pearson threads a neat ball through to Steve Naylor. Steve Naylor shoots from 25 yards. The ball edges inside the post - goal!!
60.05
Showing composure, Nick Luzhny laces a weighted ball forward to Steve Naylor. Steve Naylor knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Dave Murphy.
61.14
Jason Pearson controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Steve Naylor. Steve Naylor plays a scrappy one-two with Franceco Sgrò and advances towards the goal... Steve Naylor comes in from the right and smashes a shot from 11 yards out. The keeper is more than a match for it. Nice save!
63.50
Nick Luzhny passes the ball forward to Franceco Sgrò. Franceco Sgrò controls the ball well and immediately threads the ball forward, putting Steve Naylor through on goal. Steve Naylor comes through the middle and smashes a shot from 11 yards out. The ball clips the outside of the post and goes out!
66.50
3-1Reading are in full control of this game.
73.38
Nick Luzhny threads the ball through to Franceco Sgrò. Franceco Sgrò runs straight at the defence! Franceco Sgrò shoots from just inside the box. The ball clips the outside of the post and goes out!
75.42
Nick Luzhny brings the ball forward. Nick Luzhny lofts in a cross ball towards Steve Naylor. Steve Naylor makes a convincing header. The ball rattles the crossbar bouncing back into play. The loose ball is cleared by the defence.
78.14
Titus May knocks the ball to his team mate, Copain De Gier. Copain De Gier sees Franceco Sgrò in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Franceco Sgrò chips the ball to his team mate, Steve Naylor. Steve Naylor takes a shot at goal. The ball clips the underside of the bar and bounces just over the line. The fans cheer wildly! That's his third!
83.32
Simon Fletcher flicks a high pass forward. Julian Lopez holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Julian Lopez shoots from long range but it is tipped over by Peter Mendonca.
84.52
4-1It's a corner kick. Dean Rodgers loops the ball out towards the edge of the box. Jason Pearson reaches the ball and heads it out of the danger area!
90.00
Dean Rodgers flicks a high pass forward. Julian Lopez holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Julian Lopez whips in a cross ball towards Les Owen. Les Owen connects with a diving header but it slams into the crowd!
90.00
The whistle indicates full-time!
Match Statistics
Goals
4
1
Shots on Target
9
3
Shots off Target
4
2
Offsides
3
0
Fouls
2
0
Yellow Cards
1
0
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
65.3%
34.7%
Play Area
20%
42.7%
37.3%
Scorers
| Steve Naylor 38, 57, 78 Franceco Sgrò 53 | Matt Law 8 |
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Steve Naylor of Reading |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Peter Mendonca (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Christian Courtois (DEF) |  | 6 |
| 3. | Hauke Götz (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Omer Lisbie (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Titus May (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Nick Luzhny (MID) | 7 | |
| 7. | Jason Pearson (MID) | 7 | |
| 8. | Copain De Gier (MID) | 7 | |
| 9. | Peter Woodgate (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Kieron Windass (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Steve Naylor (ATT) |  | 9 |
| 12. | Luca Zola (GK) | 0 | |
| 13. | Franceco Sgrò (ATT) | | 7 |
| 14. | Steve Gascoigne (MID) | 0 | |
| 1. | Liam Waters (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Mick Deane (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Danny Greaves (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Dave Murphy (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Steve Fletcher (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Simon Fletcher (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Dean Rodgers (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Gilles Vieira (ATT) | 6 | |
| 9. | Les Owen (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Julian Lopez (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Matt Law (ATT) | | 7 |
| 12. | Spencer Sherwood (MID) | 0 | |
| 13. | Edward Batty (GK) | 0 | |
| 14. | Oscar Martin (MID) | 0 | |