For the second time in the last three Championship League games, Reading faced Nottingham Forest and fans were treated to something of a repeat performance. After a dramatic 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium eleven days earlier, it all happened again with Forest looking to have secured a late win only for Reading to hit back with an even later equaliser. At the Madejski Reading were much the better side in the second half but looked to have lost it when Forest scored deep into injury time. The Royals immediately took the ball down the other end and Obita's cross was turned into his own net by Figueiredo as the game finished 1-1.
Back up to Nottingham for our re-arranged Championship game, a week and a half later, and again Reading came from behind to share the points in another 1-1 draw. This time former Reading player Lewis Grabban scored with just ten minutes to play. Again the Royals showed some great character to hit back - this time taking three minutes to draw level thanks to Sam Baldock. Baldock had only been on the pitch for five minutes, coming on to replace the the ineffective Puscas before his vital goal that ensured Reading have only lost one match out of the last eleven.
There were more bright signs for Reading who deserved another point on the road against a side fifth in the table. Sharing the points in both games against a side that will be in the mix for promotion at the end of the season shows Reading really should expect to finish in the top half of the table this season - which is great progress given recent seasons. Again the scoreline was a fair reflection of the game with both teams fairly equal on both possession and shots. Real goalscoring opportunities were limited for the Royals but both sides registered four shots on target during the 90 minutes.
Manager Mark Bowen was happy with the performance talking after the match: "I thought we edged it slightly in terms of our play in the second half. We were the team that looked more comfortable in possession. It was a bit like the first game where we defended resolutely in the first half against a side who've been in and around the top six all season. Yet again we showed our resilience to come back from going behind. We shrugged it off and I had a strange feeling we would get a chance."
More Late Goals And Another 1-1 With Forest
From the Discussion
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NR Notts Royal 22 Jan 2020 · 11:32pm
“Nottingham Forest...it’s happened again” :lol: A decent performance in a match we pretty much controlled...interestingly I was told we only had 44% possession which is odd as it felt John Swift had the ball just outside our 18 yrd box most of the game! My main issue is TEMPO - all good and well controlling the game in your own half but this team could be so much better if we played it at pace. I know we’d likely lose it more but we’d also create more space Rafael 7 - didn’t really have much to do Gunter 8 - played really well tonight, read the game well, some great interceptions Blackett 7 - another sturdy display Moore 8 - was…
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UR URZZZZ 22 Jan 2020 · 11:44pm
Good write up. Bowen briefly explained that whilst he prefers playing a duo up top, he wants control in the midfield Disappointed to see Ejaria not being at the races again tonight, he seemed to hit a good spell in the our winning run but not been at it since Fulham. Bit of a dilemma for next game because I’d look to bring Adam in but for who? By all accounts, Obita did quite well last night
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KI Kitsondinho 22 Jan 2020 · 11:44pm
It happened again!! :lol: Excellent point and absolutely deserved. Although Forest created more, we always looked dangerous on the break. Super performances from the back 4 and Raf. Moore, Gunter and Blackett were particularly great. Olise was quality ! Gomes and Obita did well but faded into the 2nd half. Swift and Ejaria brilliant and frustrating....often doing both at the same time!! Obviously the only negative was the fact Baldock didn’t appear for so long. Puscas looked lost and unfit tonight. He clearly needs a partner up there....he just can’t hold the ball up. With time a space he played a couple of intelligent…
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UK Uke 23 Jan 2020 · 12:21am
Chant of the night “One nil and you fcuked it up” When it wasn’t being a library The City Ground crowd was bloody loud. Although Baldock put a stop to that :lol:
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RM Royal Monkey 23 Jan 2020 · 3:18am
Definitely need to play with a bit more tempo very slow in the first half and I’ve never seen Swift drop so far back to bring the ball out he was behind the CB’s at times but we were just too sloppy and lost the ball too easily. Nothing went for Puscas he really struggled to hold it up but tbf Watson was absolutely glued to him a lot but a quality striker needs to be more mobile shake defenders off and create themselves some space. Much better second half but why do we leave it so late to really start going for it normally after the opposition have scored! Baldock as usual was lively worked hard and scored what more can ask for in…
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WE WestYorksRoyal 23 Jan 2020 · 7:30am
Has Olise earned a start against Bristol City?
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LS lightning strikes 23 Jan 2020 · 7:45am
Olise is class, I'd like him to start every game so we can see as much as possible of him before he goes to a champions league club. Does need to work on his fitness though and give a bit more defensively. Their goal came from the full back overlapping and Olise not going with him.
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SR Snowflake Royal 23 Jan 2020 · 8:29am
All the praise for Olise makes it all the stranger he didn't get a chance when Swift and Ejaria were out.