READING IMPRESSIVE BURNLEY SUBMISSIVE

AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW OF THE PROMOTION RACE

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Firstly I’ve got a confession to make. The lousy weather forecast, Cambridge’s notoriously badly drained pitch and the snow that was falling when I got out of bed convinced me that 350 mile round trip and maybe a late postponement wasn’t the way I wanted to spend Saturday. So a County game missed but where to get my weekly entertainment?

Certainly not at Bury, where neither the visitors Scunthorpe nor the prospect of a minimum charge of £9.50 was particularly attractive; nor a Conference game which is easier on the pocket but generally lacking in interest.  A quick look at the League programme offered two alternatives – a drive to the Deva Stadium to see if there was any truth in tales of an improvement at Chester as they took on Wycombe, (at that time the only team in the country remaining undefeated away from home), or maybe a visit to Turf Moor where Reading were on offer. A few seconds reflection convinced me that the prospect of seeing our nearest and dearest take on our closest rivals in the promotion stakes was too good an opportunity to miss.

On our many visits to Turf Moor in the last few years I’ve never had the opportunity, nor to be frank, the desire to experience the atmosphere among the home fans.  My general perception has been of them having the attitude of the “big club, big ground, current status only a temporary aberration blah blah blah” syndrome much akin to that at Bolton, Stoke at al. Certainly if Marlons Gloves, (their fanzine), is anything to go by this is confirmed by constant envious references to the current status of Blackburn.  It looks as though it might be an interesting afternoon with them facing a Reading side which seemed to have improved immeasurably since that dire performance at EP 18 months ago.

So I made my way onto the Long Side –  £6.50 and covered standing, (maybe something there for County to consider?).  Pre match conversation centred around the parentage of Jimmy Quinn, erstwhile of arch enemies moneybags Rovers; Burnley’s invincibility at home;  and the previous weeks resounding Cup triumph over a nine man Rochdale.  No consideration was given to the possibility that Reading would go away anything other than pointless. The gap would have been reduced to five points and all was set fair for a Christmas push to their rightful spot at the top of the table.  Oh, what fond delusions!!

Right from the off ‘The Bloke Behind Me’ was obsessed with getting referee Heilbron to use his notebook. Any Reading challenge was a foul worthy of a booking which remained unpunished in TBBM’s eyes. He got a little tiresome so it’s probably appropriate that Heath received a yellow card for a gentle elbow in the chest of a Reading defender. From past experience it wouldn’t have been normal for Heath not to protest innocence and we weren’t disappointed.

Initially there were plenty of abusive references to the hated Rovers and one shout of “You’re nothing but cheats have you been watching Stockport”.  But there was a gradual change in mood as it became evident that Reading had come to win and given the relative skill levels were likely to. Deary came in for some dreadful stick and Russell was laughed to derision for two abject attempts which ended nearer the corner flag than the target.  Eyres was totally anonymous with Burnley’s sole threat coming from Francis.

On the other hand Reading played good football, passing quickly through midfield with Gooding looking useful and it was he who finished off a good move by planting a header past a wrong footed Beresford from a Gilkes cross.

As it turned out that was the winner with the remainder of the entertainment being provided by some bewildering officiating from Mr Heilbron, (remember him in charge of our game with Bristol Rovers?). He dismissed Reading full back Humphreys following an Oscar winning effort from Burnley’s Thompson and in the last few minutes followed that with what can only be described as a staggering decision to wave the red card at Heath for time wasting when his team were trailing!!

The news of a goalless draw for County at the Abbey Stadium meant that we had slipped further two points adrift.  A draw at Turf Moor would probably have been an ideal result but I contented myself with the fact that a Burnley defeat is always more than acceptable and that Reading heave plenty more opportunities to drop points.

One thing is that is for certain is that Reading’s current status is more than justified and they will be a threat to us right until the end of the season.  As for Burnley, they’ve spent a lot of money with no discernible product.  Their current position is all they’re worth, club, ground and history notwithstanding. They’ll always do well at home given the crowds they command. Whether this is support isn’t so certain because they were quick to get on the players backs and this led to a visible loss of confidence. All in all I view a trip to Turf Moor in March with considerably more optimism than that to Elm Park in a couple of weeks  – it seems to me that some of the contributors to ‘Writers Reign’ in TTP 29 have got it right. We need to get behind the team whatever the situation. By doing that every week ourselves and Reading can put our feet up from May 7 and  leave the likes of Vale and Burnley to think about play off purgatory.

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December 1993