Reading 2-1 Ipswich – www.bbc.co.uk
In an even game on Friday night that showcased two different types of football, a last minute penalty from Danny Williams was the difference. The American’s spot kick followed two others, Garath McCleary netting from 12-yards just before half-time, Brett Pitman doing so just after, before Williams secured a 2-1 home win. The result was a touch harsh on Ipswich, who had the better second half chances, but they were made to pay for an uninspiring first half performance.
Apart from the first five minutes, in which they pressed well and forced Reading’s defence into mistakes, they did not play at a high enough intensity. An error from the hapless Tommy Smith allowed the imposing Yann Kermorgant in on goal, but he was blocked quickly by Bartosz Bialkowski. Ipswich gave their opponents too much space to get the ball into midfield and distribute to the left-hand side.
Roy Beerens caused problems for a timid-looking Luke Chambers. He burst past the right-back and produced a good cross for George Evans, who made the wrong contact with his header. Williams showed a willingness to push forward from midfield, given insurance with the disciplined Joey van den Berg sitting in between the centre-backs.
Liam Moore picked some good cross-field passes and looked composed on the ball, typifying Jaap Stam’s philosophy. There was a moment when Ali Al-Habsi had the ball at his feet for around 30 seconds, which provoked a conflict of interests. Stam wanted him to hold onto it patiently while some Royals fans grew restless. The fact that Ipswich didn’t press Al-Habsi in that situation, or the defenders when they had the ball, suggests they were happy simply to contain their opponents.
Such defensive tactics resulted in a lack of support for the hardworking Pitman. McCarthy’s cautious plans were thrown out of the window just before half-time however, McCleary dispatching a penalty to give Reading a deserved lead.
The Barnsley-born boss re-thought his strategy at the interval. The initial balls were the same, high in the direction of Pitman, but he allowed midfielders to push up and close down Reading centre-backs, Moore and Paul McShane.
This bold change re-juvenated the Tractor Boys, who drew level on 50 minutes thanks to Pitman’s penalty. After the equalizer, Reading’s energy levels dropped and lacked the confidence to play around Ipswich’s press.
A brief moment of good play from Kevin Bru set up the lively Grant Ward, who forced a smart save from Al-Habsi, before Smith later missed from close-range. Ipswich could have scored on the break on 75 minutes, if not for a combination of poor decision making from Freddie Sears and good defensive work from Van Den Berg.
The Dutchman was Reading’s most consistent performer on the night and nearly scored the winner. Impressive substitute John Swift crossed for Kermorgant to head the ball into the danger area, but the 30-year-old could not make the right contact.
After a flurry of pressure from the hosts, they got the winner. A 94th minute penalty from Williams condemned Ipswich to their sixth defeat at Reading in six meetings at the Madjeski. They were a touch unlucky to lose this match, but in the broader picture, work must be done to re-enthuse an increasingly disillusioned fanbase. Reading by contrast, move up to third ahead of Saturday’s games. The bright start to Jaap Stam’s tiki-taka reign continues.
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