Team
Westwood, Dann (Turner 46), Ward, Hall, Tabb, Fox, A.Gunnarsson (Best 57), M.Doyle, Beuzelin, Morrison, Eastwood (Mifsud 76). SNU Marshall,Simpson
READING
Hahnemann, Rosenior, Ingirmarsson, Duberry, Armstrong, Kebe (Henry 85),Cisse (B.Gunnarsson 76) ,S.Hunt, N. Hunt (Long 71), K.Doyle, Harper. SNU Matejovsky, Federici
HT RFC 2-1 CCFC FT RFC 3-1 CCFC
Att 16,803
Ref Mr Wright Booked Gunnarsson, S.Hunt
Goal Danny Fox (26), Noel Hunt (31 & 61), Kaifa Cisse (36)
Man Of The Match - Danny Fox took the votes with nominations for Gunnarsson and Turner.
_______________
STARTING LINE UP
Chris Coleman pondered over his team selection. City U18's right back Jordan Clarke travelled as a precaution but without Wright and Osbourne, the City boss brought back Marcus Hall, Jay Tabb and Aron Gunnarsson
___________
Coventry City's attempt at damage limitation badly backfired as Reading never had to break out of second gear to beat the Sky Blues at the Madejski Stadium.
On a cold night, we travelled to Reading on quiet roads and arrived in plenty of time before making our way into the ground past the splendid hotel at the Madejski which makes the Ricoh one look like a seaside B&B.
There was over 300 City supporters in the South Stand and it was a pleasure to catch up with many of them and watch the game in their company, enjoying a good singsong and some banter with the home support to our right.
Wearing all black, City attacked the end where we were in the first half. They played a 3-5-2 formation which was probably not the wisest thing to do against a side as organised as Steve Coppell's team.
Reading worked the flanks and channels well but early on, the Sky Blues did have chances.
Clinton Morrison held the ball up early on and got in a back post header and in the seventh minute, Jay Tabb fired over from twenty odd yards.
As a rain shower made the going a touch slippy and the City support were advising the Reading keeper that baseball was more his sport, Kevin Doyle nearly put the Biscuitmen ahead.
Having had our usual stand up sit down bit of fun at any trip to Reading with this time, a female steward who bore a remarkable resemblance to Eastender's Pat Butcher, a foul on Clintom Morrison gave City a 26th minute twenty odd yards free kick.
Danny Fox took the kick and like his goal against Swansea, curled it into the net. Barmy,we went as Fox and his team mates raced towards the South Stand to celebrate.
Now, having took the lead, City should have shut up shot and gone five or more at the back.
But no and our lead lasted only five minutes. A ball from Liam Rosenior from the right found Noel Hunt who headed home from seven yards.
The other Hunt in the Reading side - Stephen, missed a sitter but in the 36th minute, a cross from Kebe was played into the penalty area and as the City defence stood watching. Kaifa Cisse stroked home from twelve yards.
City had a couple of chances with Elliott Ward sending a header from a Beuzelin cross onto the roof of the net, the closest the Sky Blues came to a second goal.
Just before the break, Scott Dann got in the way of Keiren Westwood coming out and dislocated his shoulder.
Aron Gunnarsson was also limping after a tackle in the 41st minute which had seen him cautioned but it was Dann who was replaced at the break by Ben Turner.
The Brummie settled in well. He didn't have much choice as Elliott Ward was off the pace and Marcus Hall was being dragged all over the shop.
Up front, it was no better. Clinton Morrison had no service whilst Freddie Eastwood was invisable and in midfield, the continual giving of easy balls to the opposition was not helping the Sky Blue cause.
Back in the stand, our singing continued with a five minute 'Sky Blue Army' chant as Leon Best came on for Aron Gunnarrson.
In the 61st minute, Reading wrapped up the match. Stephen Hunt got in from the left and sent the ball across the face of the goal, Marcus Hall came in but Noel Hunt got in behind as the Coventry born defender turned and poked the ball into the net.
"We're Gonna Win 4-3", we retorted to the jubilant home support but this was game over and City were left chasing shadows.
A couple of our chants kept the home support quiet before the City board got a massive hint with a chant of "Lets All Buy A Right Back"
Michael Mifsud came on for the hapless Eastwood and two minutes into stoppage time, Clinton Morrison had a shot on target bringing a huge cheer from the City fans.
On the final whistle, Keiren Westwood mouthed 'sorry' to the City support. Aron Gunnarsson came over and spent five minutes chatting to some of the support whilst Danny Fox and Shane Long got involved in a bit of afters.
It had not been a good night on the pitch and we admitted that we were nowhere near the better side as we got back to the car and found a parking slapped on the front windscreen.