Reading 4 Kidderminster 2

Last updated : 20 July 2002 By Rob Cooper
A crowd of 814 turned out for an entertaining friendly at Kidderminster last night. Reading played a virtually full strength side for the clash with several players, including Sammy Igoe, playing the full ninety minutes.

However, there was one injury scare, Adi Viveash was strechered off with a back injury. It is not believed to be serious and Viv is expected to be training again shortly.

In the first half the Royals played a 4-3-3 formation, but to little affect. At times during the first forty-five the visitors were outplayed by their measly Division Three opposition.

But after just ten minutes Nicky Forster bagged another pre-season goal, smashing the ball home left-footed off the inside of the post after cutting in from the left wing.

Five minutes later Kidderminster were level, Drewe Broughton headed in Lee Ayres good cross from close range.

With just sixteen minutes on the clock the home side went 2-1 up. After some neat interchanging of passing allowed the ball to be flicked on striker Bo Henriksen finished beautifully from an acute angle.

With Kidderminster dominating the play they should maybe have pulled themselves further ahead but six minutes before half time Nicky Forster turned his man on the left before firing a cross ito the box which was turned into his own net by new Harriers signing Sean Parrish.

Reading switched their formation back to 4-4-2 at half time, and it reaped dividends in the second half.

Shortly after half-time Martin Butler put the Royals ahead. Having been put through one-on-one by Trinidad & Tobagan Anthony Rougier, Butts finished with aplomb.

Five minutes later Salako added a fourth from close range, Martin Butler provider this time after squaring from the dead ball line for a simple tap in.

Reading dominated the second half althoguh Kidderminster looked dangerous on the break, Phil Whitehead di dwell to keep the home side at bay.

Another victory recorded, Reading travel to Bavaria, Germany, on Sunday.

Royals Line-Up: Whitehead, Murty, Viveash (Parkinson), Williams, Harper (Gamble), Watson (Hughes), Rougier (Cureton), Igoe, Forster (Smith), Butler (Savage)