Blues: Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Bruce, Painter, Gray, Pennant, Clemence (Oji 90), Clapham, Birley (Sadler 59), Forssell, Jarosik.
Subs Not Used: Vaesen, Alsop, Allen.
Goals: Forssell 30, Gray 67.
Biscuitmen: Stack, Halls, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Makin, Oster, Sidwell, Gunnarsson, Hunt, Kitson, Long (Cox 68).
Subs Not Used: Federici, Golbourne, Osano, Sinnott.
Booked: Gunnarsson.
Goals: Hunt 51.
Att: 16,644
Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).
The 16,000 die hards Blues fans were flabergasted when the names of the young Blues side was read out. Their sixth and seventh choice centre halves Bruce and Painter stood up against the First Divisions most potent srike force and covered themselves in Glory.
Blues were slow to get into their stride and may have gone behind when Sidwell pushed a shot wide when looking certain to net.
Blues went ahead when Pennant, after a mazy run slipped Forssell in and the Finn showed us his soft shoe shuffle to bypass the Reading blockade. His initial shot was blocked and he beat young Matthew Birly to the rebound to push the ball home.
Kitson should have levelled soon after when Sidwell’s shot came back of post and keeper. Taylor managed to get to his feet and push the ginger giant’s goal bound effort aside.
The visitors did get back on level terms when on 47 minutes Hunt bullied the two young centre backs and cracked in a shot that Taylor hardly saw.
Sadler replaced Birley soon after and Gray went out wide and that move paid off. Jarosik on the right hand side beautifully side stepped Reading’s reteating defence and picked out Gray in the box. Gray planted a firm Header past a hapless Stack.
Considering the difference in the experience of the two sides Blues looked comfortable and may have added to their lead several times.
Steve Bruce will be happy that the job was done in 90 minutes as the older players looked out on their feet while the younger ones were way past their bed time!!
Share this article
Related Articles
