Balham
S24SU Seer
We didn't start until 20 mins in, at which point it was 2-0. First goal came from us not cutting out a pass at the back allowing Hunt to fire home via Simonsen's hand. Second goal came from Lowry fouling McAnuff down the left, the referee playing advantage but us stopping. A decent save from Simonsen but all he could do was push the ball into the middle of the area where Robson-Kanu poked the ball home ahead of Collins. Reading had a couple more chances but couldn't find the target/a way past Simonsen. Their first couple of corners saw a crowd around the United keeper but he claimed it well.
We then woke up. A decent move set Henderson free in the middle of the area to scuff the ball home, it seemed to take ages to cross the line! A long ball down the middle saw Slew volley over from 18 yards following flick-ons from Henderson and Williamson.
With the last attack of the half, we were level. Good work from Quinn set Williamson free and he put the ball in via the post.
Second half saw United kicking toward the 460 travelling fans. Quinn was flattened just outside the area and from the free-kick, McCarthy could only palm the ball to Lowton (might have been Riise!) who took the time to pick out Henderson a yard out, who then headed us into the lead. Cue mayhem in the stand behind the goal!
United also scored a fourth, which was chalked off for reasons only known to the referee and linesman. McCarthy saved at the feet of Henderson but then threw the ball straight at the United striker. Slew put the loose ball into the empty net but it was disallowed.
Understandably, Reading then piled forward looking for an equaliser. Former Blade Brian Howard hit the bar from 20 yards but aside from that, the sum total of their chances were long throws from Antonio and hopeful crosses which Collins and Lowry were able to head clear. Williamson and Henderson had decent efforts and Lowton should have perhaps done better when played in but the rest of the 90 plus 4 minutes stoppage passed without major drama, allowing us to keep our hopes alive for another week.
Ratings:
Simonsen 8: could perhaps have stopped Hunt's shot or done better with McAnuff's cross but grew in confidence after that and dominated his area. Didn't allow roughhouse tactics from a desperate Reading side put him off easier
Lowton 7: caught out a couple of times but also seemed to be everywhere. Defended stoutly and linked well with Riise.
Lowry 7: troubled by Long's movement off the ball to begin with but when Reading's tactics sank to hoofing the ball forward it played to his strengths.
Collins 6: stopped playing when Lowry caught the Reading player in the build-up to their second which is pretty unforgiveable. Apart from that, as per Lowry but not quite as good!
Mattock 6: the game mainly passed him by but for the most part, he kept McAnuff quiet.
Riise 7: linked well with Lowton and looked for a United player whenever he got the ball. Could do with learning how to properly keep the ball in the corner to run the clock down!
Montgomery 7: typical Montgomery performance. He got the blocks in and did the majority right but then occasionally would give the ball away when it was easier to keep possession.
Williamson 8: some nice touches and, like Riise, looked for a red and white shirt whenever he got the ball. Took his goal well and looked lively.
Quinn 7: as I've said before, the lad cares. He was running on empty by the end having put a real shift in but his decision making let him down from time to time. On the plus side, the Reading right-back (Griffin?) looked worried whenever Quinn ran at him.
Henderson 8.5 MOM: took his goals well, didn't get wound up by Khizanishvili's sly tactics and linked well with Slew. Could have had a hat-trick but for a decent save.
Slew 7: worried the Reading back line with his pace and scored a decent goal which was mysteriously disallowed. He could do with learning where the ball is in the air as more often than not he'd head thin air!
Subs:
Tonne 6: on for Slew to help bolster the defence; don't think he touched the ball more than a couple of times. However, his runs were good and with better passing into him he could have caused some trouble.
Crowd:
460 Blades, not the biggest away following we'll have this season but we made more noise than 18,500 Reading fans and you can't ask for more than that!
We then woke up. A decent move set Henderson free in the middle of the area to scuff the ball home, it seemed to take ages to cross the line! A long ball down the middle saw Slew volley over from 18 yards following flick-ons from Henderson and Williamson.
With the last attack of the half, we were level. Good work from Quinn set Williamson free and he put the ball in via the post.
Second half saw United kicking toward the 460 travelling fans. Quinn was flattened just outside the area and from the free-kick, McCarthy could only palm the ball to Lowton (might have been Riise!) who took the time to pick out Henderson a yard out, who then headed us into the lead. Cue mayhem in the stand behind the goal!
United also scored a fourth, which was chalked off for reasons only known to the referee and linesman. McCarthy saved at the feet of Henderson but then threw the ball straight at the United striker. Slew put the loose ball into the empty net but it was disallowed.
Understandably, Reading then piled forward looking for an equaliser. Former Blade Brian Howard hit the bar from 20 yards but aside from that, the sum total of their chances were long throws from Antonio and hopeful crosses which Collins and Lowry were able to head clear. Williamson and Henderson had decent efforts and Lowton should have perhaps done better when played in but the rest of the 90 plus 4 minutes stoppage passed without major drama, allowing us to keep our hopes alive for another week.
Ratings:
Simonsen 8: could perhaps have stopped Hunt's shot or done better with McAnuff's cross but grew in confidence after that and dominated his area. Didn't allow roughhouse tactics from a desperate Reading side put him off easier
Lowton 7: caught out a couple of times but also seemed to be everywhere. Defended stoutly and linked well with Riise.
Lowry 7: troubled by Long's movement off the ball to begin with but when Reading's tactics sank to hoofing the ball forward it played to his strengths.
Collins 6: stopped playing when Lowry caught the Reading player in the build-up to their second which is pretty unforgiveable. Apart from that, as per Lowry but not quite as good!
Mattock 6: the game mainly passed him by but for the most part, he kept McAnuff quiet.
Riise 7: linked well with Lowton and looked for a United player whenever he got the ball. Could do with learning how to properly keep the ball in the corner to run the clock down!
Montgomery 7: typical Montgomery performance. He got the blocks in and did the majority right but then occasionally would give the ball away when it was easier to keep possession.
Williamson 8: some nice touches and, like Riise, looked for a red and white shirt whenever he got the ball. Took his goal well and looked lively.
Quinn 7: as I've said before, the lad cares. He was running on empty by the end having put a real shift in but his decision making let him down from time to time. On the plus side, the Reading right-back (Griffin?) looked worried whenever Quinn ran at him.
Henderson 8.5 MOM: took his goals well, didn't get wound up by Khizanishvili's sly tactics and linked well with Slew. Could have had a hat-trick but for a decent save.
Slew 7: worried the Reading back line with his pace and scored a decent goal which was mysteriously disallowed. He could do with learning where the ball is in the air as more often than not he'd head thin air!
Subs:
Tonne 6: on for Slew to help bolster the defence; don't think he touched the ball more than a couple of times. However, his runs were good and with better passing into him he could have caused some trouble.
Crowd:
460 Blades, not the biggest away following we'll have this season but we made more noise than 18,500 Reading fans and you can't ask for more than that!
