Reading 3-3 Watford

Finally in all the years of watching Reading play football, a good game against Watford, and we even got a point, where we almost snatched a defeat from victory.

This was a classic game of two half's some of the football played by Reading was of the calibre we had seldom witnessed before. Good flowing football. controlled possession, closing down in all areas of the pitch. Good value for their 2-0 lead at half time.

The second half saw Watford on the the pitch early and eager to kick off, attacking the end housed by the three and half thousand travelling fans, impressive for Watford. Once the Royals were on the pitch the game could commence.

Like all games at 2-0 the next goal is vital, and Watford struck the first blow, but before they had finished celebrating, Karajan had restored the two goal advantage to make it 3-1

Watford were now bossing the game, Reading looking stretched, tired and out of shape, Watford were going for it, and got their reward with a penalty on the 76th minute. Called by the linesmen who had been subjected to abuse in the early moments of the match for what they thought was a bad call. But he stood statue style with his flag draped across his chest.

At 3-2 Reading now looked like a team of strangers, and not knowing which way to turn or chase, a couple of fine saves from McCarthy and a goal line clearance was keeping the Royals in the lead. But before we were told how much added time was to be added on a long range shot was deflected and the onrushing two Watford players were half a yard quicker than our defence 3-3

After the extra time was played out it remained 3-3; for the neutral this was a good game that had lots of action incident and excitement. For the Watford fans it was like a victory, for some Reading fans they acted like it was a defeat.

For me it was a good game to watch, good atmosphere and feel like it was money well spent.

Somehow from the reactions of Nigel Adkins and his assistant, there were going to be some players having their ears warmed after this result.

Far more positives than negatives, clearly work in progress.

As once said by Steve Coppell the table doesn't lie and we will finish where we deserve to finish.

Did note that we have now dropped to fourth favourites in the promotion odds.

MOM Drenthe; Exciting to watch with great skills and willingness to get a result, would have been a different result had he stayed on the pitch