An early nonchalant chip from Simon Cox was enough for Reading FC to secure their first away win of the season. It will be a resilient second half performance from a young inexperienced Reading team that will take the plaudits though. With a catastrophic injury list travelling Reading fans expectations were low as they set out on a 500 mile roundtrip. It would have been a relief upon arrival to hear the news that Hector and Obita had passed late fitness tests.

With Norwood and Mackie available for their first full team debuts, Obita was able to take his more natural left back position. After their substitute cameo roles in Tuesday’s carling cup win Ryan Edwards and Jake Taylor were brought back into the starting eleven. A sparse Riverside Park witnessed a fast Middlesbrough start. A Michael Hector slip in the 1st minute enabled Middlesbrough to throw in an early dangerous cross. A corner for Middlesbrough soon followed but the shot from the edge of the area was high and over. Tuesday night’s hero Federici was soon called into action, producing two saves in quick succession as the dangerous Adomah continually turned the Reading back four.

The game’s defining moment came in the 7th minute with Reading’s first penetrative foray into the Middlesbrough final third. Some good team play on the right hand side between Kuhl, Gunter and Mackie found Ryan Edwards. The keen Australian dinked a perfect through ball for Simon Cox, who produced a stylish finish that shocked the watching crowd.

With Norwood patrolling centre midfield and Obita pushed back into left back Reading appeared to have more balance across the pitch. Norwood was stretching the play with some nice passes and the hard working Mackie and Edwards chased every ball. Edwards had a good chance in the 9th minute but his shot cleared the bar by some distance. A 12th minute Pearce header had Middlesbrough scrambling to defend.

The resilience of the Reading defence was tested in the 25th minute as Pearce and Norwood produced brave last minute blocks to nullify a dangerous Middlesbrough attack. The combination of Pearce and Hector looked strong all game, Hector’s sometimes unconventional style is complimented by the disciplined and old-fashioned Alex Pearce.

As the half progressed Edwards was pushed wide right with Mackie pushing closer to Cox in a more traditional 442 formation. Cox started to drop off looking to pick the ball up deeper. Middlesbrough continued to attack without threatening Federici’s goal. Some good pressured defensive work restricting Middlesbrough to long shots. The half ended as Reading dropped deeper with Middlesbrough on top. A far post cross dropped over the head of the stretching Kuhl; Adam Clayton’s volley flew well wide.

A Middlesbrough corner fell to an unmarked kite on the six yard box. His header flew over the top of the goal. The second half started with Federici conducting a chorus of boos every time he had the ball. A frustrated Middlesbrough crowd sensing their team were going to struggle to break down a determined Reading back line. Middlesbrough pushed forward resulting in wayward shots and corners. Statistics telling the story as Middlesbrough managed 6 shots on target from 24 attempts and finishing with a corner count of 14.

Akpan replaced Kuhl on 54 minutes and, surprisingly, Cox was replaced with Tanner soon after. In the 65th minute a Middlesbrough cross was deflected onto the post by a covering Gunter as Reading dug in, working hard to protect the narrow lead. Akpan unfairly booked in the 67th minute following a committed but fair tackle. Jake Cooper replaced Norwood in the 82nd minute as the Royals looked to see out the game. Cooper sitting in as a left centre back of three. The demanding Middlesbrough fans were left frustrated as Bamford failed to connect on a low Leadbitter cross in the 90th minute. Any connection would have surely brought an equaliser.

Whilst Middlesbrough continued to bombard the Reading area with crosses and high balls, Pearce, Hector and Cooper stood strong. Federici rarely called into action. As the referee signalled the end of the game, the relief on the Reading players was etched all of their faces. Fist pumping and man hugs as they celebrated in front of the 242 Reading fans. There is no doubt this wasn’t the performance of a promotion challenging team it was, however a brave and resilient performance. A measure of the team bond in a young squad that is playing for the shirt they wear.
Dave Roberts

Looooooong day, but no longer than Wigan etc. just more expensive on the train. Norwood and Hector looked decent, Feds made a few good stops, but in general they walked all over us. If they had any kind of attacking threat who could hit the target they'd have scored 5+. Goal was a little flukey but well taken. In general, okay performance, lucky win, does the job.
Will95

Slightly fortunate win but Boro were shite in front of goal for all the second half possession they had. Boro appear to be a bit of a one trick pony and if you stop Adomah they haven't really got a plan B so step forward Jordan Obita who did a pretty good job at full back (hurrah) in doing just that. We rarely attacked but when we did we looked sharp and the goal was a good superb effort and a nice finish from Cox. Lot of pressure first 10 minutes but once through that and being a goal in front it was a case of soak it up like a few seasons ago in the Champ :D .

Feds had a decent game and wasted time in a truly professional way, never enough to really rile the ref but every goal kick was a study in slow motion kicking. Couple of hairy moments, one when Pearce (?) sliced the ball against his own post and another when Feds cleared against Gunter and the ball went out for a corner. Couple of vital saves thrown in for good measure.

Gunter solid after a shaky start. Obita excellent game. Pearce excellent. Hector very rocky in first 25 minutes and was diving in all over the place and nearly gave a pen away but then settled down and played superbly. That probably is our strongest defence unless something happens in the window.

Norwood was excellent on debut and looks a really good passer of the ball but needs to work on corners and free kicks. It was a game too far for Kuhl who really struggled and it was a relief when he was subbed. Taylor was fairly anonymous although worked very hard. Edwards ran around a lot but is very lightweight. Cox looked good in the first half but doesn't look 100% fit. Mackie worked very hard.

Subs Tanner ran around a lot to little effect. Akpan looked half decent but still doesn't impose enough on games. Cooper came on a third centre back for the last 15 minutes (6 minutes of added on time) and looked very calm and composed.

It's always good to win away and for once fortune smiled on us a little. If we can get a bit more aggression and know how back in midfield we can take the game to teams but at the moment we are very weak in this area and we are going to get bossed in the second half of games if all we have got is Taylor and Edwards and we need some pace up front to stretch teams and allow our midfield to get forward in the game more.
The Quiet Man