Reading 5-1 Ipswich

Reading put on a real Friday night show for the fans as they hit Ipswich for 5.

Clarke opted to start a front three of Vydra Sa and Blackman, with Quinn, Tshibola and Norwood in Midfield.


The Royals got off to a great start when Nick Blackman whipped in a pin point cross for Orlando Sa to nod in after 8 minutes.

However, their lead only lasted three minutes after Freddy Sears bundled one in. Ryan Fraser saw his shot saved by Bond, only to fall into the path of Sears who made it 1-1.

This game started with a fantastic tempo and it looked like two sides that wanted to attack in numbers. Just three minutes later, Orlando Sa grabbed his second of the game after a swift break over led by Norwood and Vydra, up to Sa who riffled one in off the post.

After an incredible 14 minutes in what we thought was going to be a cagey and scrappy affair with little chances, the game quietened down and that was that for the half. 2-1 Reading at half time.

The Royals came out of the blocks in the second period like they did in the first and got that all important fourth goal of the game through the in form Nick Blackman.

It was another brilliant counter attack from Reading. Nick Blackman found himself on the left and very unselfishly tried to feed Sa, who completely miss kicked it. Just as it looked like the chance had passed Reading, some tenacious work from Vydra and a mix up in the Ipswich defence lead to the ball falling back to the path of Blackman who only had one thing in his mind and he smashed the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Ipswich then threw everything at Reading with no luck. Mcshane and Ferdinand were as solid as ever, dealing with all their long balls.

Reading then killed the game off after 63 minutes with an Orlando Sa hat-trick after some more great work from Blackman who cut it back to Sa who had the easy job of tapping home from 6 yards, 4-1 to Reading.

The visitors were now creating some chances as they hit the bar and then appealed for a penalty but the ref was having none of it.

New signings Piazon and John were then introduced with about 15 minutes to go.

Chants of ‘we want five’ from the Reading contingent then came about as Norwood scored an absolute screamer from 30 yards, leaving the keeper helpless.

This capped off an exhilarating performance from Reading. They were quick on the counter, strong at the back and tidy in the middle. You also have to remember, Ipswich were 3rd in the league before this encounter and were unbeaten away.

With Reading’s last two home games being 0-0 and our fans not seeing a home goal since April 4th (6 games) this was a wonderful win and performance.