Harper late show stuns Wigan

James Harper’s brilliant 90th minute winner gave Reading a vital win in a match that looked to be heading for a draw. Harper was put through following a superb reverse ball from Dave Kitson, and slotted the ball past Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland to give Reading their second victory of the season. The goal sent the PA team into orbit and came at a time when the nerves of all PA box folk were shredded. As the goal-scorer was announced a shaky, lilt was held in the voice of the Amateur, who it seemed could take no more of the tension.

The reason for all the shakiness was a build up to Wigan’s visit that had seen Reading suffer three straight defeats with a tough trip to Fratton Park next week looming on the horizon. This was a game Reading simply had to win. Wigan would be no easy game. Despite the pundits predicting that the Lancashire side would struggle this season having only just retained their place in the top flight with a memorable last day of the season away win at Sheffield United. However the Latics have made a reasonable start to the season with two victories and two draws.

Reading though came out of the traps quickest. New signing Liam Rosenior forced a decent save from Kirkland early in the first half and the lively Dave Kitson had a decent chance headed off the line. Reading broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when Chris Kirkland parried Kevin Doyle’s shot, to the feet of Dave Kitson who slammed the ball home. What followed next was the main talking point of the first half. Jason Koumas was brought down by Ivar Ingimarsson, with referee Keith Stroud appearing to point to the spot. The main debate was whether the foul took place inside the box or not. After protests from all sides and protracted discussions between the officials, much to the relief of Reading, the referee settled on a free kick on the edge of the box. Wigan almost gained instant revenge when; Koumas hit the resultant free kick against the underside of the cross bar.

The half time break came at a good time for Reading. Wigan’s neat incisive football was proving to be quite difficult to handle. Marcus Bent and Antoine Sibierski’s movement was proving hard to cope with. Half time though was not necessarily an enjoyable time for the Voice. Paul Allen tried to make ‘Play your shirts right’ hit the right notes, but made a classic error on the third round of the game, clearly not listening to a contestant’s prediction and failing to see that the game had ended. Well who could blame him for being the only person in the entire stadium to fail to hear the prediction of the contestant? After all he was only stood closer to the contestant than any other person in the entire stadium!

With a real sense of inevitability Wigan opened the second half in the role of wounded animal. Marcus Bent headed the Latics level heading in a Jason Koumas corner just five minutes after the break. Steve Coppell’s assessment that Wigan “seemed to grow as a result of the goal” was accurate. Marcus Bent forced a superb save from Marcus Hahnemann in the Reading goal after Bent’s low driven shot was stopped. Reading though also found their feet a little more with the introduction of substitute Bobby Convey.

Stephen Hunt headed over a Convey cross in the 66th minute and Dave Kitson almost grabbed a goal six minutes later when a Convey cross just failed to reach the advancing striker. Wigan was still dangerous though. A supremely wonderful last-ditch tackle by Michael Duberry six minutes from the end denied Marcus Bent a clear run in on goal. Julius Aghahowa also had a chance to run at Marcus Hahnemann, but the Reading goalkeeper managed to clip the ball away from the Wigan substitute soon after.

Perhaps James Harper’s late winner wasn’t as much of a shock to Wigan as you may think. Reading’s record at the Madejski Stadium against Wigan is very impressive, despite the fact that Wigan was the first away side to win there. However, the most famous occasion of a Reading win over Wigan at the Madejski Stadium was the Second Division play-off Final Second Leg. And lest we forget two very late goals saw off Wigan that night and as the so-called experts keep telling us, history just keeps on repeating itself.

By Stuart Croucher