MATCH REPORT: Reading 2 Southampton 3

Last updated : 02 August 2003 By Rob Cooper
Reading 2 Southampton 3
Royals Scorers: Shorey, Henderson
Saints Scorers: Beattie, Fernandes, Oakley
Attendance: 11,513

Southampton capitalised on Reading's defensive woes with style last night as they thumped home three fantastic goals to beat Pardew's side 3-2 in a pre-season friendly.

Marcus Hahnemann
Hahnemann: Poor
Before kick-off, talk on the concourses was about one thing only: Shaun Goater. The Bermudan international was unveiled to the crowd prior to the game and in the Goat instantly were pinned the massive weight of hope and expectation of the 9,000 Reading fans in attendance.

However, the talk afterwards would have been of the defensive lapses of the whole team in general and John Mackie and Marcus Hahnemann in particular.

It wasn't a bad performance from Reading by any means, but defensive sloppiness was costly. Such errors are acceptable in pre-season, but with the new campaign now just seven days away there is suitable cause for concern.

With the home fans still reveling in the news that Goater had signed, and the away fans still complaining about how long they had to wait for tickets, the Royals made a good start to the game.

Scott Murray frightened Welsh international Paul Jones when his long range effort flashed just wide. Moments later Sidwell called the 'keeper into action, forcing him to repel his twenty-yard volley.

Despite good early attacking play, Reading found themselves one down midway through the first half.

Scott Murray, playing his first game at the Madejski Stadium, was to blame for the goal mis-hiting a backpass to Marcus Hahnemann which James Beattie, one of the countries deadliest finishers, was able to capitalize on. The England international clipped a cute little lob over USA stopper Hahnemann.

One down soon became two down for the defensively incapable Royals. John Mackie was the culprit this time. The Londoner, who has been told he can leave the Madejski on a free transfer, left the Reading goalkeeper high-and-dry with an awkward backpass.

Fabrice Fernandes
Fernandes thumped home a picture book goal
Hahnemann, who at times last season looked decidedly awkward when dealing with pass backs and crosses, was unable to properly clear the danger, scuffing his clearance. Fabrice Fernandes executed a superb shot from inside the centre-circle, undoubtedly the moment of the match.

The Frenchman's sumptuous lob caught out Hahnemann who got a hand to the ball but could only carry the shot into the net. As good as the goal was, it should never have been allowed to happen.

Unperturbed by the scoreline, the Royals continued to push forward admirably and were unlucky not to pull one back when James Harper lashed a shot goalwards. From the follow up Andy Hughes had his shot scrambled off the line.

At half time Reading were perhaps undeservedly 2-0 down, so Gordon Strachan brought on comedy goalkeeper Javier Sanchez Broto. The Spaniard did his very best to allow the Royals back into the game.

Just minutes into the second half the trialist flapped at an inswinging corner from Nathan Tyson, unconvincingly punching it to Adie Williams. Williams, who had an impressive year last year, put a poor side-footed shot well wide to a universal round of groans.

Happy to conserve energy for the new season, both sides went into cruise control, or should that be snooze control, for twenty-five minutes or so.

But the introduction of Martin Butler proved to be the catalyst for a late goal frenzy. The Dudley-born striker was bundled to the floor inside the penalty area just over a minute after entering the frey.

Nicky Shorey, usually so cool when taking spot kicks, proceeded to kick the ball straight into the keeper's arms just as Steven Sidwell and co so enjoyed doing last season.

However, the referee adjudged that Broto had moved off his line illegally before the kick was taken so Shorey had the chance to make instant amends for his miss. He duly did.

But the Saints soon restored their two goal lead with another screamer. Reading twice, stupidly, gave the ball away in their own half, allowing Omerod to put in a cross for Oakley who smashed an unstoppable volley past Hahnemann, drawing applause from all corners of the ground.

But the game had one last twist remaining as the Royals again reduced the deficit. Sub Darius Henderson prodding home John Salako's cross to restore some pride.

Bar three defensive mistakes it was a hearty performance from the Royals who will be bolstered by Shaun Goater's presence next week at Ipswich.

Reading Line-Up: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Williams, Mackie, Harper, Murray (Salako), Sidwell (Watson), Forster (Butler), Hughes (Savage), Tyson (Henderson)

Southampton Line-Up: Jones (Broto), Dodd (Baird), Le Saux, Lundekvam, Svensson, Fernandes, Oakley, Delap, Prutton, Tessem, Omerod (Beattie)