Home run finally over!

Second half goals from Gyfli Sigurdsson and Grzegorz Rasiak finally ended the long home run without a win. It looked like the game was heading for another stalemate until the Polish striker headed home in the 82 minute to the relief of everyone associated with Reading FC!

After talking of Blackpool’s 4-3-3 formation before the game, Brendan Rodgers decided to mirror the Tangerines with Rasiak the fall guy, the forward making way for Jimmy Kebe’s first team return.


The theme of many of the 16 home games without a win, especially this season, has been Reading dominate only to squander a host of chances and end up losing / drawing (delete as appropriate!). This encounter looked to be heading the same way after a first half where the Royals made all the running only to go in at the interval on level terms.


Jobi McAnuff was the star of the first half, testing Blackpool keeper Matt Gilks on a number of occasions as well as setting up chances for Kebe and Sigurdsson. The Icelander was also having a great game, and he and Kebe combinded to great effect with the former just seeing his effort go wide.


Simon Church has scored his first Madejski Stadium goal in the last outing against Ipswich and he struck a post, shot inches wide and also saw a clever flick threaten the Seasiders goal.


The second half though began with Blackpool in control and had Adam Federici worried on a couple of occasions but the Royals took the lead on the counter attack. McAnuff raced down the left, leaving Alex Baptise for dead once more and crossed perfectly for the onrushing Sigurdsson, who took a touch before calmly slotting home. On the basis of the first seven minutes of the second half, you have to say it was against the run of play but no more than the Royals deserved over the whole game.


Unfortunatly before the hour Blackpool were level, and it came at the end of neat passing move that has become their trademark this season under Ian Holloway, Brett Ormerod supplying the finish.


However on this occasions the Royals were not made to pay for not taking their chances and in the 82nd minute Rasiak sent the Madejski Stadium wild. Marek Matejovsy, who’s return to the first team has coincided with the improved team displays, put in a wonderful cross and in at the back post came the Polish striker with a diving header to score his 4th league goal of the season.


Rodger’s dedicated the win to the Madejski Stadium faithful who have had to endure 10 months and 25 days of pain, since an own goal gave us a 1-0 win over Wolves on 27th January.


With the monkey now off our back, who knows what this team can achieve this season? Ok so maybe I’m getting carried away but its been a long time coming!