[Owlkev71]

As I said earlier, a grind it out performance. First half was a stop/start affair thanks to Readings Tactics and very poor officiating. Chances were at a premium, both sides had no more than half chances until Coke dragged down Murray and a pen was correctly given imo. Murray stepped up only for Westwood to save with his leg/feet. Every time there was a challenge, the Reading player went down with ease and the ref gave a foul, or so it seemed anyway. Cox for them was always in the refs face, complaining or moaning about any challenge we made. HT 0-0
We started the 2nd half a bit brighter, with a couple of half chances, and one nicely worked corner which produced a save from Anderson. Westwood saved well from Cooper who then hit the bar, both from set pieces. May fired wide from long range who then set up Nuhiu who fired wide. Westwood saved from a Blackmon long range free kick. Then with 7 mins to go, we get a free kick for hand ball, May hits it, and via a deflection the ball nestles in the net and Hillsborough erupts. May fired over and Hope did the same and we nearly scored from a mad scramble in their 6 yard box We also had a couple of good penalty shouts towards the end but with this referee we were never going to get anything. FT 1-0

A good win in the end, not sure if we deserved it tbh. The ref was absolutely clueless, about the only thing he got right was the penalty

Westwood 8 - Saved the pen  and made two other good saves
Palmer 5 - The worst I have seen him play at RB
Lees 8 - Commanding again
Loovens 6 - Struggled a little bit first half I thought, better 2nd half
Mattock 6 - Did Ok, have seen him play better this season
Semedo 8 - Played more forward than Coke, ran his socks off, tackled well, even popped up on the wings several times.MOTM
Coke 6 - Quiet game played more of the holding role.
McGuire 5 - Final ball/decision making let him down
Maghoma 5 - Made some good runs but like McGuire final ball/decision let him down
May 7 - Lots of running, not scared to shoot, game winning goal
Nuhiu 6 - Not much impact 1st half, came more into the game in the 2nd.

Hope 6 - A couple of runs, had half chance
Helan 7 - Got the ball and just ran with it caused them a few problems
Dielna 5 - Not enough time to make an impact.

Thought Semedo was our MOTM, though you could easily give it to Westwood or Lees. The winger position is still a concern, McGuire & Mags are so frustrating. Reading disappointed me with the way they set up and how they went down under challenges and the ref fell for it. I prey to god we don't get Mark Heywood again after one of the most terrible refereeing performances I have seen     .