Well Christmas done, time to watch the Royals take on Swansea City, Boxing day matches are always difficult to predict. On the way to the match the heavens once again opened up, so we were in for a wet soggy afternoon. Little fear of the match being abandoned, have only ever seen this once at the Madstad, when it was abandoned at half time against Leicester City.
Revenge for the defeat at Wembley, no longer applicable, we had enough on our plate without concerning ourselves with that baggage.
Nice to see a couple of familiar faces in the starting line up, especially Jem Karacan and Danny Guthrie.
So it began, as the rain continued, on the stroke of 3 o'clock the shrill of the whistle set the game alight.
When I say it set the game alight, that was a vast exaggeration, apart from a strong penalty claim for the Royals, and some wayward shooting from Swansea, our fayre for the first half was to watch Swansea stroke the ball around with no end product. Now if that was not boring enough, on the rare occasion we did get the ball, we gave it straight back, so they could do it all again. To be honest it is mind numbing to sit and watch.
On a rare occasion after a few passes the Pog was striding into the penalty area from the right, a heavy touch put the ball ahead of him, what does he do, stop, put his hands to his head in frustration, then realise there is still a chance to get the ball. By the time he realises, the moment is gone and the ball is gathered gratefully by the Swansea keeper. Groans echoed around the ground, and so it continued until the half time whistle, met by muted boo's and deafening silence.
Surely this had to change, not one worthy effort could be recalled for either keeper to deal with, do we want to stay in this league, on that showing, we may want to, but the term "snowball in hell's chance" springs to mind.
For 15 minutes in the second half the balance swung even further in favour of Swansea, time to make changes, off went the "Pog" and Captain McAnuff on come Alfie and Hal Robson Kanu, finally the team were showing some fight and ambition, sadly Leigertwood remained on the pitch to ensure Swansea regained possession, honestly that bloke couldn't pass wind!
The (New) Reading Way (Hope not!)
As the ball struck the back of the net many around me were in raptures, up off their seats celebrating Alfie putting the ball in the net. Not me!
Firstly and most importantly I am and always have been a fan of Reading Football Club, who do things the right way, and in my eyes are honest and above board.
I watched as Alfie rose to pat the ball into the back of the net with his left hand, and sat feeling disgusted that my beloved team had resorted to "cheating"
I was glad to see that not only did the ref rule the goal out, but produce a yellow card for the offence.
Alfie had become a cult hero at the club, akin to Jamie Cureton, but in my eyes it is no longer a comparison.
What makes this worse is the after match press conference where McDermott tried to make light of the situation by referring back to a goal by Demba Ba for Newcastle, and saying goals like that normally count at the Madstad. Shocking! Alfie should be fined a months wages for the offence, and another weeks wages for being caught in the act.
Back to the game; the match was now a contest and both teams going for a win, end to end football, terrific saves from Federici and at the other end a superb volley from Alfie was cleared off the line.At last some oohs and aaghs from the crowd.
One of the biggest cheers was saved for the recently recalled Alex Pearce who somehow managed to put a ball out for a throw in a yard from the touchline. The reason being, that it travelled off the field of play the necessary one yard for a clearance but went skywards sailing up onto the roof of the East stand and out of the ground, possibly the first time this feat has been achieved in the time Reading have called this home.
So the game concluded nils a piece and one point meant Reading leapfrogged QPR.
Final note; Reading please cut out any inclinations of cheating, whatever league we are in this team represents our town, if we get relegated honourably so be it. Emotions are running high at the moment, but dignity must be retained above all.
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