Reading go above Ipswich
Reading beat Ipswich 1-0 in the Championship after Simon Church came off the bench to score the winning goal at the Madjeski Stadium.
The first half ended with both sides on 0-0 and neither team could create many chances. Jason Scotland had the best chance of the first half, but the player blasted his shot wide.
The game needed a spark and it came in the 52nd minute when Luke Hyam was shown a second yellow card reducing Ipswich to 10 men.
Shortly after, Reading were also down to 10 men when Matt Mills was a given a red card for the home side.
Reading did look more likely to score and Ipswich failed to threaten even when they brought on Reggie Lambe and Connor Wickham in the second half.
Jem Karacan saw his effort saved by Martin Fulop in the Sunderland goal, while Hal Robson-Kanu almost took advantage of a Fulop handling error.
It was not until Church was introduced that Reading seriously threatened Fulop in the Sunderland goal. Church only came on as a late substitute for Robson-Kanu who injured himself in the dying minutes of the game.
Church made an immediate impact on the game. His pace and direct play led to a chance for Jimmy Kebe.
In the 88th minute of the game Church diverted a Karacan shot past Fulop to give the Royals the winning goal.
Karacan was injured in the build up to the goal and was forced to leave the pitch. Reading manager Brian McDermott had used up all his substitutes so Reading were forced to see out the remaining few minutes with nine men.
McDermott was delighted with the win and said, “That game was a real good game of football. We had a good shape and we did the basics well. It’s a fantastic result. I am delighted for Simon Church tonight. They [the players] gave us everything tonight and
we cannot ask anymore than that.”
Ipswich manager Roy Keane was disappointed that his side could not finish off their chances. “When you don’t score a goal you're under pressure. We should have scored in the first half. We didn’t deserve to lose the game, but I don’t think we did enough
to win it either. If you don’t take your chances you have no one to blame but yourself.”
The win moves Reading into sixth place and one position above Ipswich. The Royals will visit Preston North End at the weekend.
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