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Reading 2 Blackpool 1 - full match report
TWO blokes are walking down a dark alley when a mugger approaches and demands their money.
They both grudgingly pull out their wallets and begin taking out their cash.
At that moment, one of the guys turns to the other, hands him a note and says: "Hey, here's that 20 quid I owe you".
A mildly amusing tale to kickstart a report not so much about Pool getting mugged in Reading, more ambushed.
The home side changed their formation, which took Pool and Holloway by surprise and led to a one-sided opening 20 minutes when the hosts had four clear cut chances to score.
That they missed them gave the Seasiders real optimism … but after an exchange of goals in the second half, a spot of poor defending allowed the grateful Royals to snatch victory.
In fact the word grateful doesn't quite cover it.
Brendan Rodgers' side were almost on their knees and pleading for the three points, such is the length of time they've had to wait for them.
Not for 301 days ago, since the middle of January, had Reading won on home soil.
Seventeen games without a victory and all of this at one of the best grounds in the country, the lavish Madejski Stadium.
For the fans the last 10 months must have been like visiting a palace and finding the display cabinet full of ornaments from Poundland.
Alas, it was this game when Reading finally recovered from their homesickness and ground out what was a deserved victory (they had 11 shots on target compared to Pool's four) over a Blackpool side that started slowly and got better, but didn't quite do enough to merit a result.
Mind you, the Seasiders had only themselves to blame for not at least getting a draw.
>> Click here to view our gallery of the game.
With the score 1-1 and six minutes remaining, the back four sat too deep and failed to deal with a routine, deep ball into the area.
Sub Grzegorz Rasiak took advantage by diving full length to head the winner. Cue ecstacy for relieved Reading, agony for Pool and especially Ian Holloway, who was fuming at the manner in which his side had conceded.
On the bright side, the manager rightly noted that his team did plenty right in this contest and, after scoring what was a cracker of an equaliser, they had had four good chances towards the end – Ben Burgess (who had earlier hit the post), Billy Clarke and Ian Evatt spurning openings, before Alex Baptiste headed a last-gasp corner over.
So although it is a fourth defeat of the campaign – all of which have occurred away from home, a record which needs improving if Pool are to stay among the front-runners – there is certainly no need for despair.
Holloway's men produced a decent display and will certainly play a lot worse than this in the months ahead and win.
Still a little down? Think of this: last time Blackpool lost 2-1 – at Leicester in September – they recovered to beat Newcastle in the following game.
With Preston next up at Bloomfield Road, that's a nice thought to keep in your minds.
The supporters can't wait for that game – and those who went to the Madejski Stadium deserve a mention. There were more than 1,000 of them and they were magnificent.
Just a pity they didn't get the result they wanted but then again they've seen plenty of wins already this season, more than any of us could have predicted.
Here the game could have gone either way at any given time, particularly in a second half which was the very definition of free-flowing and end-to-end football.
Holloway made three changes – Brett Ormerod, Jason Euell and David Vaughan in for Hameur Bouazza (eating cakes and having a natter with the Algerian president), Billy Clarke and the departed Jay Thomas.
Euell and Ormerod on the flanks gave the team a more solid look and appeared to offer the full backs extra protection.
But it didn't work out like that initially, mainly because of a shrewd tactical move by home manager Rodgers.
He changed his formation, matching the Seasiders, and their two wingers – Jimmy Kebe and the impressive Jobi McAnuff – hugged the touchlines and caused all sorts of problems.
Matt Gilks had to make four top-notch saves in the opening quarter alone.
His first came after 49 seconds when he leapt to his left to deny McAnuff. He produced further stops from Simon Church (Reading's striker was excellent, best player on the pitch), Gylfi Sigurdsson and Kebe's volley.
Pool gradually got to grips with the home side's tactics and eventually carved out the best chance of the half. Ormerod's right wing cross fell to Burgess at the back post but the striker's left-footed volley rebounded off the inside of the post. Unlucky though he'll probably feel he should have scored.
Joe Martin replaced the injured Stephen Crainey at half-time and, thrown into what was a difficult situation, did well.
In fact the whole Pool team started the second period well. Ironic then that the hosts took the lead on 53 minutes.
It came from a Seasiders' attack but when Keith Southern was tackled on the edge of the opposition area, Reading broke swiftly and devastatingly.
Brian Howard fed McAnuff, who raced 40 yards towards the area before sliding the ball sideways. Midfielder Sigurdsson converted in emphatic style.
But Pool hit back with a peach of a goal six minutes later. A lovely move on the edge of the Reading area ended when Burgess fed Charlie Adam and the Scot's clever cross was swept in by Ormerod – good forward play by Ormerod, on the move and alive to the opening.
Chances at both ends after that but just when it seemed as though the contest was heading for a draw, came a moment to frustrate any manager.
Moments after Burgess had missed by a whisker with a left-footed effort, Marek Matejovsky's long, curling cross fell behind a Pool defence which had been slow to advance and Rasiak – who had replaced the injured Church – headed home.
Reading, so close to that elusive home victory, became understandably nervous and sat deep, allowing Holloway's side to pile on the pressure.
Sub Clarke miskicked when well positioned, so too did Evatt. And when Baptiste jumped highest to meet Adam's corner but headed over it was clear this wasn't going to be the Seasiders' day.
Reading celebrated like they'd won not just the FA Cup but the National Lottery as well – Rodgers ignoring the torrential rain and striding into the centre of the pitch to applaud all four sides of the ground.
He was a relieved man.
Holloway was simply frustrated. He had seen yet another decent performance from his ever-improving side, but this time it wasn't enough to earn the points.
First defeat in six games – he'll be hoping normal service is resumed against Preston.
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Weather for Blackpool
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
