Rookie Reading Win

The Royals saw off Burnley at the Madejski Stadium in the third round of the FA Cup. The Reading team which saw nine changes from the one that beat West Ham 6-0, went three goals in the lead against another claret side. Burnley netted twice in the second half to make the score-line a sight less embarrassing.

Shane Long, Sam Sodje and Leroy Lita – who has now scored four goals in four games – all found the net for Reading, while Ade Akinbiyi scored on his Burnley comeback debut and Gareth O`Connor scored in the final minutes, too little too late to change the game however.

Bobby Convey started his first game since succumbing to injury in October, the American winger showed his hunger from the start, smashing the ball off of the post from a low cross from Shane Long.

Meanwhile Adam Federici proved his worth in the Reading goal, the debutant saved Wade Elliot`s effort on goal and Ivar Ingimarsson was hand to rebound away Gifton Noel-Williams` second attempt.

You wouldn`t have believed Federici was making his appearance for the side as with cat like reflexes he tipped away an Akinyibi header at goal, which no keeper would be blamed for not reaching.

In midfield, Andre Bikey was exerting authority over the game with his power, he blasted a shot from 25yards but the Cameroonian was way off target.

However, with 27 minutes played, Leroy Lita found the target. Ulises de la Cruz put a ball over the top that was collected by Shane Long and flicked on to Lita who, from outside the area, let a low shot fly off his boot and past Burnley keeper, Brian Jensen for 1-0.

With a goal under their belt Reading started to show their mettle.

Lita returned the favour for Shane Long 10 minutes later with a spectacular goal that must have been a training ground special from the two. Lita put a nothing ball into the box to which a bemused crowd looked on; as Jensen went to collect it he was beaten by the onrushing Long. Long went past Jensen and whacked the ball on the half volley in to the back of the net from the most impossible angle.

Lita had a chance to make it three before the break after Convey played him across into the box. The chance went begging though, as Lita controlled the ball and then saw his strike deflect off a Burnley defender.

Burnley could have pulled one back when Akinbiyi found Steve Jones with a little knockback. Fortunately for Reading Jones spurned his chance and Noel-Williams couldn`t deliver from the second opportunity.

Reading nailed the coffin of Burnley`s cup hopes in the second half, young debutant Scott Golbourne floated a nifty cross over the top which fellow defender Sam Sodje fired goal bound with his head.

On the hour mark, Dave Kitson came on for Leroy Lita, playing his first bit of competitive football since opening day back in August. He was found almost immediately by Seol Ki-Hyeon, but Kitson shot wide.

Burnley were revitalised after Akinyibi found the net.

Akinyibi ran clean through at goal and Federici came out to meet him, the rookie keeper then hesitated and it was all Akinyibi needed; he dinked the ball over the top to lob Federici and give the travelling fans something to truly cheer at.

Federici redeemed himself soon after when the goal hungry Akinyibi came looking for another goal; Federici pulled off a one handed stop to tip Akinyibi`s shot wide and from the resulting corner showed masterful control of his penalty box.

O`Connor was on hand to give Burnley a late goal and a more satisfying scoreline, but it was always too little too late. A rookie Reading had seen off Burnley without too much trouble.

Reading will look on the third round replays with eager eyes; they will play the winner of the Newcastle and Birmingham match, facing one of the teams away.

Reading: Federici, De la Cruz, Sodje, Ingimarsson (Pearce 74), Golbourne, Ki-Hyeon, Oster, Bikey, Convey, Lita (Kitson 60), Long.

Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Hunt, Harper.

Burnley: Jensen, Thomas, McGreal, Foster, Harley, James O’Connor, Noel-Williams (Lafferty 70), McCann, Elliott (Garreth O’Connor 84), Jones (Mahon 70), Akinbiyi.

Subs Not Used: Branch, Spicer.