Reading 3-0 Luton Town

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Match Report

Luton suffered another setback in a game that most of the Hatters fans thought they could get something out of, instead they lacked the attacking edge which has seen us ease past Crystal palace last week (2-0).

Both sides started brightly, like a top of the table clash that it was. In form Reading striker Steve Sidwell forced a save from Beresford in the second minute when he produced a powerful downward header from American Bobby Convey's corner, but neither side were able to take control in midfield in the early stages. In fact, most of the first half was a fairly scrappy affair. Another Yankee,this time Reading goalie Marcus Hahnemann had to make a smart save towards half time and Convey saw his superb goal bound volley from a corner headed away. In-form Rowan Vine was causing the Reading defence plenty of problems with his closing down and chasing the ball style of play, also looking dangerous when on the ball.Marksman Leroy Lita, was not sharp enough around the box to make anything of the half chances, Down to some sloppy defending from Chris Coyne's replacement, Russell perrett. Luton had managed to stifle the threat of Little and Convey very effectively for most of the half. Just before half time, while I was getting a Beer in the concourse,  Sidwell's long range drive took a wicked deflection on its way into the net, and Reading were somewhat surprisingly able to go in at half time one goal, fortunately I got to see the goal again on the big screen they had erected up in the corner.
*GOAL 44 minutes ROYALS 1-0 Hatters 
*Half-time Reading 1-0 Luton Town.

So the second half began and chasing the lead Luton came out strongly and Hahnemann was forced to make another good save from a downward header from Ex-Royal Dean Morgan at the far post. Sidwell had a shot deflected over, but Luton were posing a threat with string of crosses and corners. Worryingly Murty was absent on a couple of occasions when the Hatters seemed to have a spare man at the far post although were most of the time saved by the impressive tower that is Sonko. Morgan forced a save from Hahmnemann from one such lapse. To my surprise the talented Convey was substituted for Hunt. . Hunt was almost certainly brought on as a better defensive option to contain Carlos Edwards who was picking holes in the Reading back line. Lita then came off for ex-Arlesey town (scum!)  player Dave Kitson.
One of Kitson's first tasks for the match was to celebrate the goal he had just scored on 76 minutes, a free kick swung in from the side, led to Beresford racing out of his goal Gung-ho style completely missing the ball and Kitson headed into the empty net.
*GOAL 76 minutes ROYALS 2-0 Hatters.

Soon after, as the Hatters fans lost faith and started to leave, Reading added a 3rd goal, Little with yet another dangerous set piece on to Doyle's head who slotted his header home from close range past Beresford.
*GOAL ROYALS 3-0 Hatters.