The Rams looked like they would be lucky to hang on for a draw for nearly an hour but then twice should have hung on for a win. Goals from Robinson and Cywka were not enough as the Royals proved their equal.
The Madesjski Stadium
8pm – Tuesday 18th October
Referee:
R. East
Attendance:
15,704 (717 Travelling Rams)
The Teams:
Royals:
Federici, Karacan, Pearce, Leigertwood, Le Fondre, Kebe (Manset 72’), Mills, Gorkss, Church (Hunt 79’), Robson-Kanu, Cummings.
Unused Substitutes: Gunnarsson, McCarthy, Harte.
Yellow Cards: Mills
Goals: Le Fondre (65’, 77’)
Rams:
Fielding, Anderson, O'Brien, Shackell, Roberts, B Davies, Bryson, Hendrick, Ward (Doyle 70’), Robinson, Cywka (Ball 82’).
Unused Substitutes: Legzdins, Kilbane, Maguire.
Yellow Cards: Anderson, Robinson
Goals: Robinson (59’), Cywka (75’)
Match Stats: Royals - Rams
Possession: 67% - 33%
Shots On Target: 6 - 1
Shots Off Target: 4 - 3
Corners: 9 - 4
Fouls: 12 - 10
Most Fouls: Karacan (2) - Ward (3)
Match Summary:
After no draws during the opening matches of the season - the Rams have more than made up for it with three in their last four.
Their trip to Reading looked set for a stalemate as both teams struggled to carve out clear cut chances. Reading dominated possession but it did not give any sign of becoming a goal fest. But a goal fest it did become.
After not looking the more likely team to score Theo Robinson scored his second goal in as many matches for the Rams in the 59th minute. Reading didn’t take long to get things back on level terms as in the 65th minute a stunning volley from Adam Le Fondre.
Now that the deadlock had been broken - Tomasz Cywka marked his return to the starting line up on 75 minutes with a goal that should have won the Rams the game.
Instead it was Le Forndre on hand 2 minutes later to once again to rain on the Rams parade when he was left unmarked to head truly and rescue a point for the Royals.
A point would have seemed like a good result before the match but after taking the lead twice – Nigel Clough will lament not being able to keep it on either occasion.
Full Match Reports:
Derby Point Of View – DCFC Official Site
Reading Point Of View – Reading FC Official Site
Neutral Point Of View – Skysports Report
Manager’s Reaction:
Nigel Clough was understandably disappointed with losing a lead twice:
"I don't think we played very well tonight, particularly first half but to get in the lead twice away from home and to give it away in five minutes is very disappointing.”
"We're delighted with the point and, with the team we had out tonight, it's a brilliant point. It's just tinged with disappointment because of the ways we've conceded and the manner in which we've conceded them.”
"One thing we have done this season when we've got a lead is looked after it better than that. We didn't look after it well enough tonight."
"Russell Anderson for some reason has gone overlapping in the 77th minute away from home. It's one of those things as a team we'll learn and it's about not letting your team-mates make mistakes. Mark O'Brien should be telling his mate not to go anywhere at all in the 77th minute when you're 2-1 up away from home.”
"He doesn't have to go and the cross has gone in from his position and he's not there."
"It is good that players are chipping in with goals because people need to step up to the mark with Steven being out for a while.”
"We need to sort out who is going to take Steven's place in the team and Tomasz scored a well taken goal."
"He scored two for the reserves last week so he's in a bit of form and we have some competition up top with Chris Maguire, Conor Doyle and Callum Ball all fighting to start alongside Theo."
"We will continue to try and find solutions to the injuries we have from within and it's a chance to for those lads to step up and make an impression."