Match Report: Unfamiliar City early salvo survives familiar late weakness

[Olé]

City's first win of the season - a pulsating encounter at Reading's Select Car Leasing Out of Town Car Park Stadium - had every ingredient you might have expected of the long overdue return to winning ways. Not only goals (our last 4 wins each came with 3 goals) but also familiar fragile defending that guarantees us all a late nosebleed.

The only surprise was how easily City went for the jugular in the opening exchanges - an early two goal salvo borne out of twice finding a vital flick on from a right wing set piece, allowing first man of the match Andi Weimann and then Chris Martin to net before hosts Reading settled. The Royals roared back into it in predictable format.

But City fans fearing the worst of another back foot encounter as Reading grew with confidence for the rest of the first half, will have enjoyed how the away side wrestled back control of the game after the break - scoring an incisive winner and appearing comfortable until in true City fashion a late Reading goal led to a desperate finish.

City were ahead inside five minutes. Back in the side, Tomas Kalas right wing throw in was glanced on by Martin and Weimann was on hand to nod in. At the other end a capacity away crowd released red smoke bombs down onto the pitch in celebration as a long overdue City win started to take shape as Reading looked shell shocked.

After ten minutes yet another right wing throw in was bundled on and fell kindly to Matty James inside the box but his fierce half volley was deflected away. So it was no surprise two minutes later when a right wing corner was headed on by Cam Pring and this time Martin converted to send the performance starved away fans delirious.

But City have been nothing if not horribly predictable at the back this season and it took just five minutes for Reading to fight back with their first real attack. As always it was the left wing, Bristow cutting inside, drifting into the box and like many others conceded, slipping the ball across the box for Aziz to slam home from close range.

City had chances midway through the half as James freekick went high and wide and Cam Pring headed straight at the keeper when unmarked from a deep right wing cross to the far post, while Reading's best moment quickly followed - quick interplay from the left cut through from City's right, Rob Atkinson stepping in to block the shot. 

Quick fire City had retreated as the first half wore on, but after an injury to King in the early exchanges of the second half, a first appearance of the season for City's energetic teenager Han-Noah Massengo galvanized the visitors and helped secure a crucial third - a stunning 52nd minute counter attack that set up the away win.

It started with bright youngster Alex Scott skipping away down the right and past the first defender - before squaring to the on rushing Weimann who knocked it past his marker and carried on his purposeful run exchanging passes with the teenager and collecting the return pass inside the box - picking his moment to bury it in front of his fans.

By now sub Massengo was marauding in midfield roared on by the dominant away following - and on 65 minutes home boss Veljko Paunovic optimistically waved for home fans to register any kind of noise in support, as a near post flick on from one time City player Liam Moore from their left wing corner sailed high over Bentley's bar. 

City added Kasey Palmer for Scott and a minute later the sub almost immediately cut through - his weighted pass feeding Weimann to run at the defence from the right channel, trying to make room for the shot before spaying out left to Jay DaSilva whose cross was cleared. Next, Pring's quick delivery was desperately cut out.

With just under 15 remaining City threw on Nathan Baker and went five at the back. It was a solidity that stood them well for the remainder facing only wayward pot shots - but not before on 80, old foe Liam Moore strode from midfield with Massengo in tow, keeping going as things opened up - and drilling a low curling shot into bottom right.

With 5 minutes remaining Reading were all over City in search of an improbable draw, finding space in front of the tireless screen offered by Massengo and James - though a miscue by the latter broke kindly into the left channel on the break and allowed the sort of familiar cut back from the right that Bentley for once did well to get on top of.

Just before time added on City had a rare opportunity to get their forwards in space around the box. But while both Weimann and Martin probed it was Massengo that switched it left to DaSilva - his cross to the far post first mishit by Palmer, then struck firmly onto the post, Weimann then turning the rebound onto the keeper on a hat trick.

City had clearly dominated key exchanges in a lively clash with Reading  - but in the end it was a relief for the capacity visiting following to hear the final whistle after six minutes of injury time, claiming a deserved first three points owing much to their early purpose and Weimann's endless running - though always at risk of defensive flaws.

 

Bentley 6 Claimed well under pressure several times, though might have done better with Reading's second

Simpson 5 Another identikit goal from the right conceded and as hard as he worked he never looked comfortable 

DaSilva 7 A much better game going forward and with the ball, aided by Pring

Kalas 7 Dangerous from throw ins and resolute at the back. Much needed return

Atkinson 6 A couple of good breaks but still work to do to tighten up defending

James 6 Bags of running and effort to support around the box but 

King 5 Was starting to drift out of game as Reading grew in confidence so Massengo offered a better screen alongside James

Pring 7 Decent with flick ons and crosses but most importantly opened up DaSilva's game on the wing by offering good cover

Weimann 9 A man possessed - two good goals and threatened several times to add more, never stopped chasing down rivals to press them right until the end - utterly outstanding performance

Martin 6 Took goal well but once again a concern that doesn't link up sufficiently with the team objectives

 

Massengo 7 Other than not being goal side of Moore for Reading's second looked a bright spark and upgrade on King

Palmer 6 Early wasted threaded balls were a reminder that he can be a luxury - but a threat with the ball to feet late on, both the shot into the post and holding the ball to run the final seconds of the clock out

Baker 6 Helped clear the lines in the final exchanges to secure all three points

[Olé]

Would have posted this sooner but despite Vodafone headquartered in Berkshire, Three in Maidenhead, and O2 in Slough, Reading manage to play in a stadium where the mobile networks all fall to pieces when confronted by a couple of thousand away fans. Not a great look for an area that is supposed to be the heart of UK mobile communications. 

[Port Said Red]

Interesting that the stats for Martin suggest he had a better game than the rating you have given him @Olé, I often say that they don't tell the whole story.

I am hoping that a couple of wins, especially if we can get them quickly and at home, will have am effect on the way we see out games. I think it's psychological rather than physical, the players start worrying about those other late goals, subconsciously they sit deeper, the opposition players sense the nerves and push harder. It's probably even worse with fans in the stadium as we are nervous too.

[Guest]

Good report as always….thought Scott was worth a 6 given his assist.

[ohhhshauntaylor]

God I’ve missed these match reports, stellar job as always @Olé

I though Atkinson was very impressive, in the air he wins a lot, and on the ball he looks to be growing with confidence- The parallels between him and Webster are evident, and we can all hope that him and Kalas can form a similar successful partnership. 
 

I thought Scott drifted in and out of the game, but his assist showed a maturity behind his years, the right move to replace him, but again, a very exciting prospect. 
 

HNM was exactly what we needed at that point yesterday, his energy and mobility helped us get our foot back in, and he certainly has developed some real “mass” now. 
 

It’s been a long time coming, but my god, that felt good. 
 

As a side note, Reading are really a pathetic club- soulless bowl stadium, with equally pathetic name, scattered gathering of fans, and the beauty of zero infrastructure to get 50% of their capacity back onto the M4 

[NcnsBcfc]

Thanks for the excellent match report.

It was interesting to hear NP talk about JD in his after match interview.

Jay's "reluctance" to do overlapping runs; although he did say it with a wry smile; and complemented him afterwards.

I think we all remember JD's loan spell where his energy was amazing, snd he bombed down the wing, or linked up for overlapping runs throughout the game. Hopefully with a bit more support in front(Pring?), he can get back to those levels.

The issues with right back, still persist though of course.

[Northern Red]

4 minutes ago, NcnsBcfc said:

Thanks for the excellent match report.

It was interesting to hear NP talk about JD in his after match interview.

Jay's "reluctance" to do overlapping runs; although he did say it with a wry smile; and complemented him afterwards.

I think we all remember JD's loan spell where his energy was amazing, snd he bombed down the wing, or linked up for overlapping runs throughout the game. Hopefully with a bit more support in front(Pring?), he can get back to those levels.

The issues with right back, still persist though of course.

Might be a knock-on from his injuries, both physically and psychologically. He's having to learn to trust his body again.

[054123]

3 hours ago, Port Said Red said:

Interesting that the stats for Martin suggest he had a better game than the rating you have given him @Olé, I often say that they don't tell the whole story.

I am hoping that a couple of wins, especially if we can get them quickly and at home, will have am effect on the way we see out games. I think it's psychological rather than physical, the players start worrying about those other late goals, subconsciously they sit deeper, the opposition players sense the nerves and push harder. It's probably even worse with fans in the stadium as we are nervous too.

Martin is a symptom of our current mess. Does he lack pace? Yes. Is his link up play off sometimes? Maybe. Is he all we’ve got right now? Yes.

Pearson is trying to get the best out of this squad with no upgrades anytime soon.

Its not a criticism of Martin, he’s giving his all, scoring where he can and hopefully having a pundit I’ve influence on the club.

[NcnsBcfc]

3 minutes ago, 054123 said:

Martin is a symptom of our current mess. Does he lack pace? Yes. Is his link up play off sometimes? Maybe. Is he all we’ve got right now? Yes.

Pearson is trying to get the best out of this squad with no upgrades anytime soon.

Its not a criticism of Martin, he’s giving his all, scoring where he can and hopefully having a pundit I’ve influence on the club.

Saw something on social media that he's won the most aerial duels in the Championship so far this season.

 

[steviestevieneville]

7 hours ago, Olé said:

City's first win of the season - a pulsating encounter at Reading's Select Car Leasing Out of Town Car Park Stadium - had every ingredient you might have expected of the long overdue return to winning ways. Not only goals (our last 4 wins each came with 3 goals) but also familiar fragile defending that guarantees us all a late nosebleed.

The only surprise was how easily City went for the jugular in the opening exchanges - an early two goal salvo borne out of twice finding a vital flick on from a right wing set piece, allowing first man of the match Andi Weimann and then Chris Martin to net before hosts Reading settled. The Royals roared back into it in predictable format.

But City fans fearing the worst of another back foot encounter as Reading grew with confidence for the rest of the first half, will have enjoyed how the away side wrestled back control of the game after the break - scoring an incisive winner and appearing comfortable until in true City fashion a late Reading goal led to a desperate finish.

City were ahead inside five minutes. Back in the side, Tomas Kalas right wing throw in was glanced on by Martin and Weimann was on hand to nod in. At the other end a capacity away crowd released red smoke bombs down onto the pitch in celebration as a long overdue City win started to take shape as Reading looked shell shocked.

After ten minutes yet another right wing throw in was bundled on and fell kindly to Matty James inside the box but his fierce half volley was deflected away. So it was no surprise two minutes later when a right wing corner was headed on by Cam Pring and this time Martin converted to send the performance starved away fans delirious.

But City have been nothing if not horribly predictable at the back this season and it took just five minutes for Reading to fight back with their first real attack. As always it was the left wing, Bristow cutting inside, drifting into the box and like many others conceded, slipping the ball across the box for Aziz to slam home from close range.

City had chances midway through the half as James freekick went high and wide and Cam Pring headed straight at the keeper when unmarked from a deep right wing cross to the far post, while Reading's best moment quickly followed - quick interplay from the left cut through from City's right, Rob Atkinson stepping in to block the shot. 

Quick fire City had retreated as the first half wore on, but after an injury to King in the early exchanges of the second half, a first appearance of the season for City's energetic teenager Han-Noah Massengo galvanized the visitors and helped secure a crucial third - a stunning 52nd minute counter attack that set up the away win.

It started with bright youngster Alex Scott skipping away down the right and past the first defender - before squaring to the on rushing Weimann who knocked it past his marker and carried on his purposeful run exchanging passes with the teenager and collecting the return pass inside the box - picking his moment to bury it in front of his fans.

By now sub Massengo was marauding in midfield roared on by the dominant away following - and on 65 minutes home boss Veljko Paunovic optimistically waved for home fans to register any kind of noise in support, as a near post flick on from one time City player Liam Moore from their left wing corner sailed high over Bentley's bar. 

City added Kasey Palmer for Scott and a minute later the sub almost immediately cut through - his weighted pass feeding Weimann to run at the defence from the right channel, trying to make room for the shot before spaying out left to Jay DaSilva whose cross was cleared. Next, Pring's quick delivery was desperately cut out.

With just under 15 remaining City threw on Nathan Baker and went five at the back. It was a solidity that stood them well for the remainder facing only wayward pot shots - but not before on 80, old foe Liam Moore strode from midfield with Massengo in tow, keeping going as things opened up - and drilling a low curling shot into bottom right.

With 5 minutes remaining Reading were all over City in search of an improbable draw, finding space in front of the tireless screen offered by Massengo and James - though a miscue by the latter broke kindly into the left channel on the break and allowed the sort of familiar cut back from the right that Bentley for once did well to get on top of.

Just before time added on City had a rare opportunity to get their forwards in space around the box. But while both Weimann and Martin probed it was Massengo that switched it left to DaSilva - his cross to the far post first mishit by Palmer, then struck firmly onto the post, Weimann then turning the rebound onto the keeper on a hat trick.

City had clearly dominated key exchanges in a lively clash with Reading  - but in the end it was a relief for the capacity visiting following to hear the final whistle after six minutes of injury time, claiming a deserved first three points owing much to their early purpose and Weimann's endless running - though always at risk of defensive flaws.

 

Bentley 6 Claimed well under pressure several times, though might have done better with Reading's second

Simpson 5 Another identikit goal from the right conceded and as hard as he worked he never looked comfortable 

DaSilva 7 A much better game going forward and with the ball, aided by Pring

Kalas 7 Dangerous from throw ins and resolute at the back. Much needed return

Atkinson 6 A couple of good breaks but still work to do to tighten up defending

James 6 Bags of running and effort to support around the box but 

King 5 Was starting to drift out of game as Reading grew in confidence so Massengo offered a better screen alongside James

Pring 7 Decent with flick ons and crosses but most importantly opened up DaSilva's game on the wing by offering good cover

Weimann 9 A man possessed - two good goals and threatened several times to add more, never stopped chasing down rivals to press them right until the end - utterly outstanding performance

Martin 6 Took goal well but once again a concern that doesn't link up sufficiently with the team objectives

 

Massengo 7 Other than not being goal side of Moore for Reading's second looked a bright spark and upgrade on King

Palmer 6 Early wasted threaded balls were a reminder that he can be a luxury - but a threat with the ball to feet late on, both the shot into the post and holding the ball to run the final seconds of the clock out

Baker 6 Helped clear the lines in the final exchanges to secure all three points

Please don’t take this as Criticism because everyone likes reading your reports. I do think you’re harsh on Simpson , he was exposed by Scott for the goal & has a lot to learn regarding giving his right back protection , but he’ll learn. Although it is a worry we keep conceding down our right. 

Also ( very pedantic) for the third goal , the ball was played up to midfield , a flick on by James to wiemann who fed  Scott , who then cut back again to wiemann who rounded the keeper . 

[JoeAman08]

Great assessment and I agree with your ratings. Seen Simpson and James get a lot of credit for last night and they played their part but they weren’t outstanding for me. Just competent and workmanlike. Thought they both lacked some composure in a few situations late on that I expected more from. Big parts in the 3 points for sure but have higher expectations of them in terms of their decision making when we need calm heads. 
 

Based off last night I think most of that side deserve to start against Swansea Friday. I’d probably rest Scott and drop King for HNM. We do need to cut out the sloppy defending though. In our last 4(including Villa) we have conceded 10 goals. I reckon most of them have been avoidable too. Yet to put together a complete performance which is either encouraging or worrying. Not sure yet but some good signs last night and the effort and attitude are good so hopeful performances only go up

[MATT BCFC]

Thought Martin deserved at least a 7. His pressing was excellent, won lots in the air, was a nuisance for their defenders throughout and scored! 

Kings rating seems bit harsh as well. Thought him and James controlled the game well. Something not seen for a while from a city midfield. 

Haven't seen the XG but imagine we won that quite comfortably. Right back is a concern but think a lot of our shaky defending was more linked to our poor run of form and lack of confidence. 

[maxjak]

So good to have your match reports back again Ole.  You are always my default 'go to'  for the match analysis.  I definitely believe that the Kalas - Atkinson duo at the back is the way to go, with Baker coming on to lend defensive support on occasion?   Now all we require is a right back?    Also great to see HNM back in contention....I still believe he will become a star?           

[The Original OTIB]

4 hours ago, Port Said Red said:

Interesting that the stats for Martin suggest he had a better game than the rating you have given him @Olé, I often say that they don't tell the whole story.

I am hoping that a couple of wins, especially if we can get them quickly and at home, will have am effect on the way we see out games. I think it's psychological rather than physical, the players start worrying about those other late goals, subconsciously they sit deeper, the opposition players sense the nerves and push harder. It's probably even worse with fans in the stadium as we are nervous too.

I think the thing with Martin is that he should try to stay central as much as possible. Often he's chasing down out wide, and doing well at it, but then he's not in the box where he should be, available for the cross. Treat him as an old fashioned number 9 and he can do that now at his age and lack of legs.

[East Londoner]

From my position in the away end their first goal looked horrendous but watching it back there looked more than a hint of fortune to that goal with the ball going out and a miscued shot becoming a cross to someone unmarked. It’s interesting how something looks completely different on tv 

If we’re not careful Simpson is going to become this seasons Chris Brunt and lots reviewing already have a preconceived idea which really isn’t helpful, he was solid last night which shows the benefit of having a natural right back in that position and he also didn’t have the luxury of having another full back on his side like we had on the left 

[Monkeh]

the late weakness is a mental problem for me,

I think we've been so poor for so long its taken its toll mentally and both fans and players are expecting a late goal,

Granted the late goal scored last night I think was a good goal for Reading , I can't really fault a player in it, if I was overly critical I'd say bentley dived too early but again i can't really hold it against him,

This weak mental mindset will go IF we can get a run of wins going,

 

We are still poor, but that comes with caveats, performances in general have improved, the team look a bit happier, fan pressure will start to ease if results continue to improve

 

Fingers crossed that this is a turning point, as I want to be wrong when I compared pearson to o'dismal,  

[2015]

9 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

Granted the late goal scored last night I think was a good goal for Reading , I can't really fault a player in it, if I was overly critical I'd say bentley dived too early but again i can't really hold it against him,

,  

It was poor, we let a CB run about 30 yards with the ball then just fired into the bottom corner. That shouldn't have happened, but hey ho we held on which was the main thing!

[Merrick's Marvels]

9 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

We are still poor, but that comes with caveats, performances in general have improved, the team look a bit happier, fan pressure will start to ease if results continue to improve

This is exactly it. 

[awbb]

4 minutes ago, walnutroof said:

From my position in the away end their first goal looked horrendous but watching it back there looked more than a hint of fortune to that goal with the ball going out and a miscued shot becoming a cross to someone unmarked. It’s interesting how something looks completely different on tv 

If we’re not careful Simpson is going to become this seasons Chris Brunt and lots reviewing already have a preconceived idea which really isn’t helpful, he was solid last night which shows the benefit of having a natural right back in that position and he also didn’t have the luxury of having another full back on his side like we had on the left 

Agreed. I thought Simpson was worth at least a 6. For me, Reading's first was more about Andy King not tracking a runner, the player who got in behind Simpson, while Simpson was recovering from being out wide. Clearly, Simpson and Scott could have done better just prior to that, but it was one of those passages of play that everything ran perfectly for Reading from a poor pass, requiring a desperate lunge on the touchline, wrong-footing Scott to two Reading players stumbling over each other as both attempted to shoot, the result of which the ball fell perfectly to Azeez. 

 

But ultimately, we won!

 

[Monkeh]

26 minutes ago, billywedlock said:

We were poor ? We were far from poor. Sat with the Reading fans that was not how they described us., far from it We played some excellent football at times. Sloppy goals again, Simpson was only part of the issue for the first, it was obvious 15 seconds before that he had an issue with marking 2 players. He was angry with himself for allowing the cross . Second one there were multiple occasions players should have intervened. It was not even a rocket, straight as an arrow an accurate, even Bentley you would have expected to have got to it. Sat in line of the shot, it really seemed surreal it went in. We had to adapt to team changes, Baker has never played as left back, but it kept us to a back 4 as JD moved up . Big change was players talking to each other, a lot more vocal . That is also progress. We rarely looked troubled, and if people think we were poor , then they have got to take some happy pills, because we have seen proper poor these last 12 months or so, and that was far from poor. Encouraging, room for improvement , developing , improving, but poor, hell no. I really do wonder what planet some of the people on here are on right now. 

 

Dd we lose ? From some comments here it seems we did. I must have been at another game. 

people are saying we are poor in terms of performance relative to the players we have, the performances those players have been putting in for the best part of 20 months is disgraceful, we are still nowhere near the levels we need to be and 1 win doesn't change that,

Things are improving which is good, and yes we won 3-2 but that doesn't mean everyone deserves a day off or performances were 10 out of 10, there are still things very much wrong with the side, last night we took our chances for a change, the thing people are worried about is whether this is a turning point or is it another papering over of the cracks/false hope, we are still making basic defensive errors and for the 3rd time out of 4 games in a row we conceded a late goal which is very worrying, 

 

[NcnsBcfc]

53 minutes ago, billywedlock said:

We were poor ? We were far from poor. Sat with the Reading fans that was not how they described us., far from it We played some excellent football at times. Sloppy goals again, Simpson was only part of the issue for the first, it was obvious 15 seconds before that he had an issue with marking 2 players. He was angry with himself for allowing the cross . Second one there were multiple occasions players should have intervened. It was not even a rocket, straight as an arrow an accurate, even Bentley you would have expected to have got to it. Sat in line of the shot, it really seemed surreal it went in. We had to adapt to team changes, Baker has never played as left back, but it kept us to a back 4 as JD moved up . Big change was players talking to each other, a lot more vocal . That is also progress. We rarely looked troubled, and if people think we were poor , then they have got to take some happy pills, because we have seen proper poor these last 12 months or so, and that was far from poor. Encouraging, room for improvement , developing , improving, but poor, hell no. I really do wonder what planet some of the people on here are on right now. 

 

Dd we lose ? From some comments here it seems we did. I must have been at another game. 

Thanks for the review @billywedlock

I was so glad when that third goal went in, as with City at the moment; you know they need that extra security of a 2 goal margin unfortunately.

Looking at the Reading 2nd Goal, I think Massengo should have taken one for the team there. He does have a bit of a habit of running alongside opposition players, not getting the actual tackle in, rather trying to out muscle them. In those situations, you just have to commit the foul, rather than allow the player in on goal.

Lots of positives though. I wonder whether players like James, Martin, and Simpson are up to 2 games in 3 days? Or maybe NP will have to be a bit careful around team selection again?

I know NP said they were all going straight into the Cryochamber as soon as they arrive back in Bristol last night. How times have changed, robably would have been a few beers on the way home on the team coach in the past.

[petehinton]

4 hours ago, 054123 said:

Martin is a symptom of our current mess. Does he lack pace? Yes. Is his link up play off sometimes? Maybe. Is he all we’ve got right now? Yes.

Pearson is trying to get the best out of this squad with no upgrades anytime soon.

Its not a criticism of Martin, he’s giving his all, scoring where he can and hopefully having a pundit I’ve influence on the club.

He was ******* unreal yesterday. Won absolutely everything. Give him players with pace either side and we will be a threat when on song

[robin_unreliant]

16 minutes ago, petehinton said:

He was ******* unreal yesterday. Won absolutely everything. Give him players with pace either side and we will be a threat when on song

Bit worried about him playing 3 games in 6 days. Holden didn't rest him and he ended up injured. Trouble is NW is the only real option and that would be a big change in style.

[MarcusX]

4 hours ago, steviestevieneville said:

Please don’t take this as Criticism because everyone likes reading your reports. I do think you’re harsh on Simpson , he was exposed by Scott for the goal & has a lot to learn regarding giving his right back protection , but he’ll learn. Although it is a worry we keep conceding down our right. 

Also ( very pedantic) for the third goal , the ball was played up to midfield , a flick on by James to wiemann who fed  Scott , who then cut back again to wiemann who rounded the keeper . 

I'm also fairly sure the second goal was from a Matty James free kick wasn't it, not a corner?

Other than that, great report again. I feel like we watched the same game, I was just a bit more rose-tinted with my thoughts I think

[Red DNA]

3 hours ago, NcnsBcfc said:

 

I know NP said they were all going straight into the Cryochamber as soon as they arrive back in Bristol last night. How times have changed, robably would have been a few beers on the way home on the team coach in the past.

You mean they’ve stopped using Wintergreen Liniment oil now?
No wonder we’ve had so many injuries !

[054123]

1 hour ago, petehinton said:

He was ******* unreal yesterday. Won absolutely everything. Give him players with pace either side and we will be a threat when on song

He was definitely good

[Davefevs]

6 hours ago, steviestevieneville said:

Please don’t take this as Criticism because everyone likes reading your reports. I do think you’re harsh on Simpson , he was exposed by Scott for the goal & has a lot to learn regarding giving his right back protection , but he’ll learn. Although it is a worry we keep conceding down our right. 

Also ( very pedantic) for the third goal , the ball was played up to midfield , a flick on by James to wiemann who fed  Scott , who then cut back again to wiemann who rounded the keeper . 

I haven’t looked at this goal, but gonna give it my video report treatment next.

[Hampshire Red]

Hey Rob,

Good to get your report and your follow-up mentioning our favourite telcos! 'Big Red' in Newbury gave me great 4 bar reception!

As usual, i disagree with your ratings and would mention Bentley could have done better with their 2nd, Pring was worth more and your most erroneous mark was Atkinson; he won every header and got his foot in for several tackles; i rate him better than Webster at these early stages of seeing him live. I would also give Weimann a 9 and it almost defies belief some regular watchers just dont see the difference he brings to our shorter, Bermudan option

I do agree with your views on Simpson and I'm sure NP sees this common threat from our right. Our second came from another freekick (not a corner) which for me is interesting as we havent had a consistent taker of free kicks for years

Good to read your reports but they do bring out the most depressing of responses - I'm pleased Monkey doesnt respond to my posts, he could drive optimism out of a cards player holding A-2-3 in a hand of 3 card brag!!

See ya soon