With only a couple of minutes gone, Jem Karacan, who has a bad recent history against Leeds after being maimed by Michael Brown last year, was stretchered off for an injury sustained whilst fouling Ross McCormack. Rodolph Austin took the resultant free kick and somewhat predictably smashed it into the home fans behind the goal from 30 yards out. Leeds continued the pressure as Luke Varney skipped past a couple of Reading defenders before standing a cross up, sadly it was met by Tom Lees who had burst forward from right back before scuffing his effort. The first meaningful save was a good one and it came after Morrison forced Paddy Kenny to dive full stretch to his right. With chances beginning to appear, the game became a battle with Rudy Austin and Danny Guthrie trading blows in midfield and a couple of other hefty challenges went in, which, fair play to Neil Swarbrick who let play go on. Leeds' first attempt on goal was a weak one from Varney who was found well on the edge of the area by Michael Tonge, with Ross McCormack and Rudy Austin again going close. As the first half wore on, Stephen Kelly and Wayne Bridge began to find space down the flanks with a couple of balls going into the box, fortunately for Leeds Tom Lees was on hand to clear. The next two chances of the half left Paddy Kenny berating his defence as Sean Morrison was on the end of two Drenthe free kicks space to get two free header which he could only direct off target. Hal Robson-Kanu was the next to test the Leeds defence as he found space behind Scott Wootton before sliding the ball across to Nick Blackman, a pass which was well cut out by Jason Pearce. In the last action of the half, Stephen Warnock became the first Leeds player to go into the book as he fouled his namesake Stephen Kelly.
The second half started where the first left off with Sean Morrison again finding the stands with a header less than a minute into the second half. Leeds' first attacking foray came courtesy of Ross McCormack who drove well at the defence before being stopped by Alex Pearce. Luke Varney typified Leeds' attacking guile as he received the ball on the edge of the area, turned towards goal and promptly trod on it, falling flat on his face. However, Leeds were starting to get behind Reading more often with McCormack setting Hunt free whose cross was met by former Leeds loanee, Alex McCarthy. Brian McDermott was the first manager to blink and Dom Poleon was introduced in the place of the hard working Noel Hunt, who was well received by both home and away fans. Leeds came under a spell of pressure with Wootton forced into blocking a Daniel Williams effort before Robson-Kanu firing over after a Pearce mis-kick as Leeds' play became sloppy. In an end to end game, McCormack had the next chance for Leeds as he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and unleashed a shot which flew narrowly over the upright with McCarthy left motionless. Next for Leeds, Rodolph Austin broke through the Reading defence but his pass was intercepted, allowing Reading to break with former Everton player, Hope Apkan forcing the corner. In Reading's final substitution, McLeary came on for Blackman and forced another corner from a Rodolph Austin block. Austin was then bundled over by Le Fondre and Luke Varney glanced the resultant free kick narrowly over the bar. Matt Smith came on for Varney, which seemed unnecessary as Varney hardly lost a header all night (for the second game in a row he won the most aerial duels all night). The chances dried up somewhat, with Royston Drenthe coming close with a skewed cross which was well dealt with by Kenny. The best chance of the game for Leeds fell to Jason Pearce who missed an easy header which flashed past McCarthy's post with seconds left on the clock. There was still time for action as Stephen Warnock was sent off for an unnecessary foul with seconds to go and Adam Le Fondre scored from the free kick that followed to give us a real sucker punch.
In terms of performance it was again a pretty good away showing from Leeds. We started well but seemed to fade in the first half, with Reading finishing on top. The travelling 3268 were rewarded in the second half with a better performance, save for a few occasional chances for Reading. As Phil Hay mentioned on twitter, it was a game ready made for Sam Byram who would have found space around Reading's full backs, who were very attacking. Noel Hunt again didn't make much of an impact against his old club and Wootton didn't have the best of games. The goal was a bit of a sucker punch but we were unlucky not to come away with any points and the lads will have to pick their heads up to face Burnley on Saturday as yet again our set piece nightmare continues.
Man of the Match- Rudy Austin
Broke up play well and provided us with the attacking drive and power going forwards. It has to be said that he was ran very close by Tom Lees who looked imperious after a spell on the bench.
Yeboah Constrictor
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