Reading Halt Boro's Promotion Charge

Middlesbrough’s push for promotion suffered a minor blow on Saturday, after they were beaten by championship high flyers Reading at the Riverside stadium. A recent revival for the Teessiders had seen back to back victories over Nottingham Forrest and Millwall. But after a Noel Hunt goal on 16 minutes and a late Ian Harte free kick Tony Mowbray’s side were condemned to a 2-0 defeat which sees them drop out of the play off positions. 

Boro started the first half the brightest, controlling the game with the majority of possession. While Faris Haroum’s pace looked a problem in the early exchanges, but the Belgium international slowly faded as the game went on.

Hunt's first half goal against the run of play

However despite the home side’s early dominance it was Reading who opened the scoring on 16 minutes. When Harte’s cross was headed back across goal for Hunt to guide the ball into the net off the underside of the crossbar against the run of play. 

After that Boro still struggled in the final third, while sloppy passing left chances for the visitors on the break. The hosts rarely tested Reading keeper Federici throughout the first half and they nearly fell two behind when Harte’s free kick rippled the side netting.  

Boro again started the second half seeing most of the ball, but still failed to create a clear cut chance. And the visitor should have doubled their advantage when Seb Hines’s missed header allowed Jason Roberts a golden chance only to be denied by an outstretched Jason Steele. Boro’s best efforts came when Lukas Jutkiewicz’s header was well held by Federici while Barry Robson’s tame shot was easily held.

Reading’s resistance was then finally rewarded, when Roberts was brought down on the edge of the area for Harte to produce an unstoppable free kick sealing the win and a valuable three points for the Royals. The win sees Brian McDermott’s side move to third in the table, while the setback for Boro leaves them in eighth with a trip to Portsmouth next weekend.       

  

Steele   7- important save at 1-0 could do nothing about ether goal

Bennett   5- looked to get forward sometimes troubled by Kebe in first half

Bates (C) 7- solid at the back when called upon

Hines   6- brought down Roberts resulting in second goal and a few sloppy passes

Hoyte   6- unable to show pace to cause threat

Williams   7- covered back four and a couple of long range shots

Robson   6- created a few chances missed half chance to equalise  

Arca   6- worked hard but couldn’t create chance for front two     

Haroum   6- looked threat early on but slowly faded

Emnes   7- linked well with midfield no clear cut chance

Jutkiewicz   6- header in second half was closest to equaliser

Subs

Ogbeche   5- came on as late sub didn’t really make an impact

Main   6- tried to get involved but didn’t get much of a chance