31-03-2019, 10:24
Reading 2 Meite Burrow Preston North End 1 Stockley
Reading line-up: Martinez, Moore ©, Swift (McShane, 65), Baker, Barrow (McCleary, 58), Ejaria (Harriott, 89), Miazga, Meite, Blackett, Rinomhota. Subs not used: Walker, Gunter, Harriott, Oliveira, Olise.
PNE line-up: Rudd, Fisher, Earl, Pearson, Storey, Davies, Nmecha (Stockley, 46), Gallagher, Maguire, Johnson, Robinson (Barker, 46 (Moult, 58)). Subs not used: Crowe, Rafferty, Ledson, Huntington.
Attendance: 16,771 (1,816 PNE fans)
Referee: Mr T Harrington
In truth this defeat has been coming in the three matches before this as we managed to get three wins from increasingly sketchy performances, it says a lot about yesterday when half time substitute Brandon Barker's 11 minute cameo performance before having to leave due to hamstring problems almost made him North End's best player, that honour went to Pearson who was outstanding even on one leg which meant he left the pitch near the end leaving us down to 10 men.
A warm day in Berkshire and a massive away following who were hopeful of seeing us push on saw North End dominate possession in the first half although the build up was far too slow as Reading sat back and played to catch us on the break which when they did caused us problems as they had some serious pace up front.
Neither keeper had little to do in the first 30 minutes although one Reading effort was too close for comfort.
The home side took the lead when North End lost possession deep in the Reading half, Swift's ball behind the back line to Burrow was sublime, Burrow sped towards the by line cross across the 6 yard area Meite scored.
Soon afterwards it was two, Davies' underhit back pass was intercepted by Meite, rounded Rudd and it was two.
Could have been worse Ejaria effort was tipped on to the post by Rudd, that was the only save he had to make in the game.
Two changes at half time and Barker's first run to the by line cross towards penalty spot nobody anticipated it and the chance was lost. Once he had gone off we struggled to break the home side down and when we did lose the ball Reading gave it to Meite who made two impressive runs only to be denied by last gasp tackles.
North End finally reduced the arrears late on, Earl and Maguire combined Maguire hit the bar and from the rebound Stockley bundled the ball home for the consolation.
Missing Barkhuizen, Browne, Potts and Hughes who have been in the team during the unbeaten run is hurting us at the moment but still in this although the next three games are now pivotal.
Reading manager Jose Gomes told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"The brave way that they (the players) closed the offensive actions of this dangerous tough team, they deserved to get the three points.
"We cannot forget that we played against a team that in the last 12 games, they didn't lose. The last six games away they won, so they were full of confidence.
"We showed during this game that we were able to stop them and beat them.
"I just hope that next Saturday can be good as well for us. It's game by game."
Preston North End manager Alex Neil told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I didn't think certainly in the early part of the game, there wasn't anything in it.
"We have only really got ourselves to blame for the first two goals.
"It doesn't matter what team you play in this league, if you gave them two goals at the start it's always going to be tough afterwards.
"We wanted to win the match today so that's why the lads are disappointed and frustrated because they know how good they have been and how good they can be."
Reading line-up: Martinez, Moore ©, Swift (McShane, 65), Baker, Barrow (McCleary, 58), Ejaria (Harriott, 89), Miazga, Meite, Blackett, Rinomhota. Subs not used: Walker, Gunter, Harriott, Oliveira, Olise.
PNE line-up: Rudd, Fisher, Earl, Pearson, Storey, Davies, Nmecha (Stockley, 46), Gallagher, Maguire, Johnson, Robinson (Barker, 46 (Moult, 58)). Subs not used: Crowe, Rafferty, Ledson, Huntington.
Attendance: 16,771 (1,816 PNE fans)
Referee: Mr T Harrington
In truth this defeat has been coming in the three matches before this as we managed to get three wins from increasingly sketchy performances, it says a lot about yesterday when half time substitute Brandon Barker's 11 minute cameo performance before having to leave due to hamstring problems almost made him North End's best player, that honour went to Pearson who was outstanding even on one leg which meant he left the pitch near the end leaving us down to 10 men.
A warm day in Berkshire and a massive away following who were hopeful of seeing us push on saw North End dominate possession in the first half although the build up was far too slow as Reading sat back and played to catch us on the break which when they did caused us problems as they had some serious pace up front.
Neither keeper had little to do in the first 30 minutes although one Reading effort was too close for comfort.
The home side took the lead when North End lost possession deep in the Reading half, Swift's ball behind the back line to Burrow was sublime, Burrow sped towards the by line cross across the 6 yard area Meite scored.
Soon afterwards it was two, Davies' underhit back pass was intercepted by Meite, rounded Rudd and it was two.
Could have been worse Ejaria effort was tipped on to the post by Rudd, that was the only save he had to make in the game.
Two changes at half time and Barker's first run to the by line cross towards penalty spot nobody anticipated it and the chance was lost. Once he had gone off we struggled to break the home side down and when we did lose the ball Reading gave it to Meite who made two impressive runs only to be denied by last gasp tackles.
North End finally reduced the arrears late on, Earl and Maguire combined Maguire hit the bar and from the rebound Stockley bundled the ball home for the consolation.
Missing Barkhuizen, Browne, Potts and Hughes who have been in the team during the unbeaten run is hurting us at the moment but still in this although the next three games are now pivotal.
Reading manager Jose Gomes told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"The brave way that they (the players) closed the offensive actions of this dangerous tough team, they deserved to get the three points.
"We cannot forget that we played against a team that in the last 12 games, they didn't lose. The last six games away they won, so they were full of confidence.
"We showed during this game that we were able to stop them and beat them.
"I just hope that next Saturday can be good as well for us. It's game by game."
Preston North End manager Alex Neil told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I didn't think certainly in the early part of the game, there wasn't anything in it.
"We have only really got ourselves to blame for the first two goals.
"It doesn't matter what team you play in this league, if you gave them two goals at the start it's always going to be tough afterwards.
"We wanted to win the match today so that's why the lads are disappointed and frustrated because they know how good they have been and how good they can be."
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