Pitman at the double - AFCB 3-0 Reading

Match Description

AFCB v Reading

21 October 2014

Attendance: 8899 (including 1073 Reading fans)

The home crowd enjoyed another good win although
weather conditions could have been better.

We might have expected Eddie Howe to make one or two changes to his squad for the Reading match, but he decided to keep things as they were for the previous Charlton game, perhaps as a reward for those who had done so well. A settled winning side is not such a bad thing as long as they keep winning. and Eddie Howe clearly felt confident that his side had enough to out shine a Reading side that saw Akpan and Blackman come into the starting line up. The omission of Glenn Murray probably gave the Cherries a lift too.

Match Summary
Reading won the first corner of the game after a Robson-Kanu run. AFCB soon got into their game though, and Daniels and Pugh looked especially strong on the left side. Reading's tempo was said to be better though on the AFCB blog so it seemed we were set for a tense game.

After 15 minutes it sounded like Reading were on top with Akpan having a deflected shot go for a corner. AFCB came back with a cross from Callum Wilson, but none of the AFCB players could get near it. Reading were still pressing though and had another corner on 20 minutes when a shot came in from Hal Robson-Kanu and went over the bar!

It was Robson-Kanu again who then cut inside and shot over a couple of minutes later. AFCB were starting to get a bit more joy once they passed the 25 minute mark, but Reading were also defending well and clearing the Cherries' attacks.

The deadlock was almost broken by Reading when Gunter hit the cross bar/post and the follow up went over! That was on 36 minutes. After 42 minutes AFCB won their first corner - quite a change to the Charlton match when they were 10 a penny. It was shortly followed by a second AFCB corner when Pitman had a shot blocked! AFCB came even closer then when Ritchie's cross, come shot, hit the post! so it was 0-0 at half time.

AFCB had had just two shots in the first half to Reading's seven, and neither team's keeper had been tested with a shot on target. Both teams had won three corners each and committed six fouls each, according to the BBC's stats. AFCB had kept 58 per cent of the possession.

I expected more of the same in the second half with reading pressing, but to our great pleasure AFCB took the lead on 50 minutes when Pugh had dashed down the wing and centred a cross for Callum Wilson to head home at the far post! Yes, a header!! If that wasn't good enough, just four minutes later Brett Pitman latched on to a defensive mistake to make it 2-0 to the Cherries! 

I imagine it was like watching a different game to the first half. What did Eddie say at half time? AFCB then won a couple of corners on the hour mark as they looked to press home their advantage. Just when you thought Reading may put up a fight, AFCB scored a third and Pitman got his second of the night. Ritchie's cross was volleyed in by Pitman on 64 minutes.

Nigel Adkins did his best to get his team more animated as they won a corner and while Norwood got a head to it the Cherries cleared to preserve their three goal lead. Reading made a sub with Cox coming off and Taylor coming on after 71 minutes. AFCB were still forcing the pace with Ritchie supplying a cross for Pitman that was header just wide. 

There was a bit of a scrap in the box moments later, but the referee calmed things down okay with reading players said to be furious. Marc Pugh then looked like he would score with a great volley, but somehow Reading's keeper kept it out. Fraser was then brought on in place of Ritchie on 79 minutes. It was all AFCB now and after another Wilson cross Frederici made another great save from Pitman with 10 minutes to go.

For all the Rantie fans the South African made an appearance replacing Wilson - the AFCB blog went mad in excitement! Reading also brought on the Pogrebnyak for Robson-Kanu. Rantie immediately went clear and had a shot saved! With a minute of normal time remaining Dan Gosling came on for Marc Pugh. 

In the end it was a convincing win for the Cherries that lifts them to eighth in the table and just five points off the top place.

Official AFCB Match Tweets

01: The game is underway here.

02: Reading have an early corner here...

03: A vigilant #afcb defensive line clear the danger. The @SteveFletcher33 North stand are making themselves heard early on! #AFCBvREA

12: Just over 10 minutes gone and #afcb are yet to find their rhythm. It's been a cagey affair so far.#AFCBvREA

18: Wilson capitalises on a slip, but his cross flashes across the face of goal and #readingfc clear. http://bit.ly/1s3Y03U #AFCBvREA

22: Pitman is through on goal but as he waits for the looping ball to drop the #readingfc get back to clear http://bit.ly/1s3Y03U #AFCBvREA

25: Arter's name is chanted from the North Stand as he does well to ease the lively Akpan off the ball. http://bit.ly/1s3Y03U #AFCBvREA

35: Both sides cancelling each other out here so far, with little goalmouth action at either end.

36: And with that, #readingfc carve out the best chance of the game as Gunter's shot comes off the post!

39: A clever corner routine finds Pitman inside the area but his shot takes a deflection and goes out.

44: Pugh's cross then can't find an #afcb player &#readingfc clear. That was the hosts' best chance.

45: What a chance for Ritchie! His curling shot from the right of the area clips the post

Half time: #afcb 0-0

46: The second half is underway.

50: GOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLL to #afcb !bit.ly/1s3Y03U #AFCBvREA

50: It's that man Wilson again! He is unmarked and makes no mistake, heading home Pugh's cross to give #afcb the lead. 1-0. #AFCBvREA

55: GOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL to #afcb!

55: #afcb capitalise on a defensive error and Pitman keeps his cool to slot home from inside the area. 2-0!

63: GOOOOAAAALLLLLLLL to #afcb !

64: Pitman has his second of the night, as he volleys home Ritchie's corner! 3-0 to #afcb !

Tonight's attendance is 8,899, with 1,073 #readingfc supporters. Thank you for your support.

72: Pitman, off-balance, heads Francis' cross comfortably wide. #afcb fans are chanting the striker's name.

73: A goalmouth scramble ends up in an #afcb free kick in their own area - but #readingfc are furious!

77: What a save from Federici! He somehow gets his body in the way to block Pugh's effort at the far post

80: Federici is playing a blinder! He again makes a save from point blank range, this time denying Pitman.

83: Wilson deservedly receives a standing ovation as he is replaced by Rantie. That's four goals in three games for Wilson.

86: Rantie almost has an immediate impact as he forces a save from Federici from a tight angle
 

90: We had no subs on Saturday, but tonight we have 3! Pugh is replaced by Gosling in #afcb's final change.

90+1: There will be four minutes of additional time to be played here. #afcb still lead 3-0.

FULL TIME: #afcb 3-0 #readingfc. What a night! Full report and reaction to come on http://afcb.co.uk . #AFCBvREA

AFCB:

Boruc, Francis, Cook, Elphick, Daniels, Pugh, Arter, Surman, Ritchie, Wilson, Pitman.

AFCB subs: 

Smith, Harte, Gosling, Stanislas, Fraser, Rantie, Camp

Reading:
Federici, Gunter, Obita, Hector, Pearce, Norwood, Akpan, Robson-Kanu, Cox, Mackie, Blackman.

Reading Subs:
S Kelly, Cooper, Kuhl, Taylor, Stacey, Pogrebnyak, Andersen

Roll on Reading - the Cherries are on their way

As one of the pre-season favourites Reading have done more than well enough to do justice to that tag. While the former Premiership club has had to slash its wage bill and squad size it has been rejuvenated with some talented players, as well by keeping a few of the Premiership stars. Nigel Adkins has great knowledge of the Championship having already taken Southampton up earlier in his managerial career, but he probably has more pressure on him to succeed with this team.

Adam Le Fondre has surprisingly not played as many games as you might expect in the team this season, but his successful antics as a late time sub in games last season still resonate in my memory, and there is surely not many more deadly finishers than him in the Championship. A player that has really been catching the eye is Pavel Pogrebnyak, who is a Russian international striker, who also had some games for Fulham in the Premiership last season. In the Royals' last game against Charlton though, it was Southampton-loanee Billy Sharp that got their winner in his first start for the club.

But Reading have a good mix with some young players as well. Hope Akpan in midfield was brought in from Crawley Town in the summer. Jordan Obita is a new star for the team who came on to score his first goal in the win against Forest just a week ago.

Further Premiership experience comes in the shape of  players like Hal Robson-Kanu on the wing and Chris Baird at full back who made many appearances for Fulham in the top flight and started out at Southampton. Wayne Bridge will also be a familiar name to most as the former England left back made a move from Brighton to reading in the summer, quite a coup for Adkins.

The man the Cherries will have to score against is Alex McCarthy. He has had a good season so far with the team only conceding 20 goals and Newcastle are said to be looking to make a move for him in January.

AFCB will have to do what no other team has managed this season, if they are to get three points at the Madejski stadium, because Reading are unbeaten at home. Still they have drawn four games at home so they haven't a perfect record.

Elphick is likely to lead the team out at Reading.

For those travelling to the game I saw an article that is just three years away from being very helpful to our travelling fans on the train although the BBC, like me, has trouble spelling Madejski. 

Reading Home form:
WWDDW

AFCB Away form:
LDLDL

If you have not already seen Cherry Chimes interview with Dan Wimbush (Wimb) of The Tilehurest End site, quickly clink on Rival Lines to see the article.

You will also find Cherry Chimes has given some answers in reply on the Tilehurst End Blog. So do visit this site as well.