Doyle gets off the mark

Kevin Doyle scored his first goal of the season for Reading with the winner against a defiant Derby County side. Reading showed signs of nerves, however the gritty determination that was needed to see off stubborn Derby overruled any nerves. Fans must have been wondering how Reading would fare after the goal festival at Fratton Park last week. With frustration and anger on the faces of Reading’s players at the end of last week’s match, today’s game would be the perfect time to get back onto a winning track.

Derby’s last visit to the Madejski Stadium provided five goals for Reading and sealed the Coca-Cola Championship. Derby would be anxious not to succumb to Reading in similar terms today. Having experienced away day drubbings at Liverpool and Arsenal, where Derby conceded six and five goals respectively, it was no surprise to see Billy Davies’ men play with a tight defence. Reading also had this in mind. Psychologically a clean sheet would be as valuable as a victory from the Reading perspective. The two together would be priceless.

Reading’s early jitters dispersed quickly and Stephen Hunt should have put the home side ahead on two occasions, firstly with a shot that he put over the bar and then heading a Kevin Doyle cross over. The cross bar was cleared again soon after, but this time Kevin Doyle did the clearing as he directed a Liam Rosenior cross into the crowd. Reading felt hard done by in the first half and had two clear penalty chances waved away in the space of a minute. Derby County defenders Jay McEveley and Dean Leacock both appeared to handle in the penalty box for the visitors.

Derby seemed to be weathering the storm though. Indeed the away side nearly took the lead when a shot by Andy Griffin on the 31st minute deceived Marcus Hahnemann, but also found its way past the left-hand post and behind for a goal kick. Derby’s ability to keep the home side off target was becoming a source of inspiration. Billy Davies, the Derby manager, was clearly able to capitalise on this during the half time interval. Shortly after the break, the effects were almost felt immediately as Matt Oakley tried a shot from range, but was just wide. Stephen Pearson also had a decent chance also firing wide.

Reading though was not to be side tracked by the away team’s efforts. Kevin Doyle popped up in the 63rd minute to head Graeme Murty’s cross beyond Stephen Bywater and into the Derby goal. Doyle, who has worked hard all season, but not gained the goals that his effort has deserved, was clearly delighted. He could have got a second late on but could only shoot straight into Bywater’s midriff. Derby substitute Robert Earnshaw nearly curled in an equaliser for Derby, but his brilliant effort was once again wide and Reading hung onto the three points.

Afterwards Steve Coppell described the game as bitty, which is probably a fair description. The win was important, but the positives that were on offer following the game at Fratton Park were used against Derby. It is true that positive energy, in whatever form it may occur, can be gleaned from any situation. You just have to be prepared to dig and find it. Reading are now out of the bottom three and all the positives that have been around since the Portsmouth game will continue to be used as a springboard for the rest of the season. Today’s result shows that. It may not have been pretty, but that was as much to do with Derby trying to stop Reading playing as anything else. Coppell and his mean are well aware that there are always two sides to any game.

By Stuart Croucher.