Wembley 95 all over again!

Well, that was certainly some game! For the first half we tore Aston Villa to pieces, some of our football was outstanding and a joy to watch. At half time I couldn’t help but think of a Wembley semi final, and I think many fans were shocked to be in such a position. 6 of us stood round in our usual ‘beer place’ but no one had a beer in hand, we just stood and there reflecting on an amazing half of football. Considering the alcholics I hang around with, that was weird! 15 minutes, keep it, and we will win was the general feeling.


Sadly we didn’t last 1, and the next 10 minutes I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach like I did almost 15 years ago at Wembley. You just knew what was coming and it wasn’t going to stop until Villa had taken the lead, which to be fair didn’t take that long!


Reading are not a team for the big occasion, so often we let ourselves down whatever position we are in. Wembley, Cardiff and even the Birmingham on the final day of last season. You can now add Villa FA cup quarter final to that list.


However, just like I had been on that sunny May Bank Holiday in 1995, I was incredibly proud of the Royals and stayed behind at the end to applaud their efforts despite my disappointment.


For that side though, they knew that was the end, many would move on to bigger and better things and it would be downhill for the rest. This side though are just starting out, a few more wins this season and we can be sure of Championship football next season and under the leadership of Brian McDermott we can mount a push for promotion in the following few seasons.


I have rediscovered the joy of watching Reading again thanks to this FA cup run, because for so long it has been a chore to turn up at the Mad Stad. Roll on Derby this Wednesday night and if we play football like we did in that first half, the Rams better beware!