Reading v Preston North End 25.02.06

Having lost their own unbeaten record in their previous game, Reading were in no mood to let Preston North End extend their own 22 match unbeaten run, when the two teams meet at the Madejski Stadium.

All the goals came in the first half, with Reading opening the scoring through Steve Sidwell in the 6th minute. Sidwell bundled the ball over the goaline, after Ivar Ingimarsson had fired a Bobby Convey corner back across the goal. This lead only lasted 2 minutes until Callum Davidson's left-footed free kick beat Marcus Hahnemann who was unsighted by the wall.

In the 40th miunte Leroy Lita came on to replace a concussed Dave Kitson, and had an almost immeadiate impact on the game. On 45 minutes Lita fired home a low shot into the far corner to make it 2-1 Reading.

With no goals in the second half, Reading resummed their winning ways, adding another three points to their seasons total of 86 from 36 games, still 12 points clear of second placed Sheffield Utd.

Steve Sidwell celebrates scoring the opening goal against PNE

Leroy Lita in "full flight" having scored his 45th minute goal

Sheffield Utd v Reading 14.02.06

When first met second, on Valentines day at Bramall Lane, no love was lost in this key fixture in the race to be Champions 2005/06.

Within 9 minutes from the kick off the home side were 1-0 up, with a goal from 30 year old striker Bruce Dyer. This lead didn't last long though, as the Royals drew level with a goal from Dave Kitson, stretching at the far post to guide in a cross from Bobby Convey. Not for the first time this season, Reading had scored an equalising goal within minutes of conceding. At half time the score remained 1-1.

During the second half both sides traded chances at either end, but niether could convert them. In injury time Sheffield conceded a penalty, as Paddy Kenny in the Sheffield goal pulled Bobby Convey back in the box. Dave Kitson took the penalty, but missed the chance of extending Reading's lead at the top with three more points, Kenny saving the penalty.

As it turned out, a draw was as good as a win for Reading, maintaining a 12 point lead over Sheffield Utd in second, and a massive 21 points over Leeds in third spot with a game in hand.

Crewe Alexandra v Reading 4.02.06

When top met bottom, who would have predicted such an end to end game with seven goals. That's just what happened when high flying Reading, met bottom of the table Crewe Alexandra.

Despite being the underdogs, Crewe went into the lead on 14 minutes with a simple tap in for Luke Bell after Marcus Hahnemann had turned a swerving shot from Luke Rodgers into his path.

As was becoming quite the norm in this exceptional season, Reading hit back with two goals in two minutes. Nicky Shorey's left footed free kick and a headed goal from Steve Sidwell on 24 and 26 minutes respectively, gave Reading the lead. Leroy Lita added a third just before half time, giving the Royals a seemingly comfortable half time lead 3-1.

Crewe had other ideas though, and on 51 minutes they pulled a goal back through Gareth Taylor, 3-2. Leroy Lita gave Reading a fourth goal only two minutes later, glancing in Bobby Convey's low cross at the near post.

Reading conceded a penalty for Nicky Shorey's hand ball, Crewe scoring from the spot kick to make the score 4-3. Kenny Lunt was sent off for pulling Stephen Hunt back late in the game, and Reading hung on for another away win.

Having played 32 games, one more than second place Sheffield Utd, the Royals were on 79 points, 10 points clear at the top of the league and heading for alomost certain promotion.

Reading v Norwich City 31.01.06

In the final game of January 2006, Reading played host to Norwich City at the Madejski, giving them a lesson in how to finish.

Within 6 minutes of the start, Kevin Doyle surged pass gary Doherty, forcing the ex-spurs defender to pull him back. From the resulting 25 yard free kick, Nicky Shorey stepped up and curled a well placed left foot shot past the City keep Robert Green. This goal was Shorey's first of the campaign.

Nine minutes later, Steve Sidwell scored Reading's second goal, stooping low to head home a Glen Little cross. The score at half time was a comfortable 2-0 to Reading.

Early in the second half, Kevin Doyle once again beat Doherty to supply Leroy Lita with a simple chance from inside the six yard box.

On 69 minutes, Bobby Convey completed the scoring, racing 40 yards to score a well taken fourth goal.

This result gave Reading 76 points, 10 ahead of second placed Sheffield Utd. Even more impressive was a plus 50 goal difference, testiment to how well the Reading defence had palyed so far in the already record breaking season.

Bring it on ! Proud and Loud !

Ivar Ingimarsson takes on the Norwich defence

Ivar Ingimarsson ball watching

Marcus Hahnemann prepares to kick the ball

Ivar Ingimarsson keeps his feet

Crystal Palace v Reading 20.01.06

Reading's unbeaten league run continued at Selhurst Park, as Reading earned a point in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.

After a goaless first half, Crystal Palace opened the scoring on 79 minutes, when England's Andy Johnson convert the penalty he had won, after being tripped by Marcus Hahnemann.

Within seconds of the restart, James Harper found the net after being set up by Leroy Lita's pass, to drive a powerful shot pass Kiraly. The game ended 1-1 but only thanks to Marcus Hahnemann's dramatic double save to deny Johnson, then Soares to earn the away point.

By the end of game, Reading's lead at the top of the 2005/6 Championship had been extended to 10 points, with Sheffield Utd having played one game less. The gap to third place, however, was an impressive 22 points.

Reading v Coventry 14.01.06

Returning to Championship action, Reading's next opponents at the Madejski were Coventry City. Captained by ex-royal Adie Williams, Coventry were in the lower half of the table, a massive 37 points behind Reading.

At half time the score was 0-0, Williams picking up a yellow card on 42 minutes.

Within one minute of the restart, Dave Kitson broke the deadlock, clipping the ball over the City goal keeper Martin Fulop, having been put through by an accurate pass from Bobby Convey. At the other end of the pitch, Marcus Hahnemann was making some incredible saves to keep the Royals ahead. After the game Steve Coppell praised Hahnemann saying "he was the biggest factor in our victory, making four top-quality saves".

The score remained 1-0, until the 78th minute when Dave Kitson scored his second goal of the game, tapping in after Stephen Hunt's clever footwork set him up with an easy goal. The final score ended up at 2-0, keeping the Royals 9 points ahead od seconded placed Sheffield Utd.

Adie Williams leading out his Coventry City side

Dave Kitson looses his balance

Dave Kitson celebrates his first goal

Dave Kitson is joined by the rest of the team to celebrate his second goal of the game

Dave Kitson brings the ball under control

Stephen Hunt set up Reading's second goal

These young Royals fans celebrate another win and three more points

Derby County v Reading 31.12.05

The third of four games over the busy Christmas period 2005/6 season was away to Derby County at Pride Park.

Reading conceded the first goal on 32 minutes as Seth Johnson fired home from close range. Within two minutes of the restart, however, Kevin Doyle popped up at the near-post to head home a Glen Little chipped cross. At half time the score was 1-1.

Johnson scored his second goal of the game when he took advantage of a poor clearance to make it 2-1 to Derby. With time running out, Derby looked the more likely to add to their score. Shane Long replaced Bobby Convey  on 70 minutes, and within seconds was brought down by Andrew Davies who received his second yellow card of the game and was sent off. Reading now began to press and take advantage of the extra man. On 88 minutes Shane Long jumped high to nod home Steve Sidwell's cross to earn an away draw, 2-2 and one point.

The Royals remained in first place, still 7 points clear of Sheffield Utd in second place, and significantly 18 points ahead of third place Leeds Utd.

Reading v Sheffield Utd CC 25.10.05

Not long after the Championship game against top of the table rivals Sheffield Utd, the sides were again playing each other in the Carling Cup at the Madejski. Steve Coppell made seven changes for this game. After a goalless first half Dave Kitson was once again back on the score sheet, sweeping in a half volley on 54 minutes to put the Royals one up. Kitson added a second 21 minutes later to extend Readings lead, a lead they held onto until the final whistle.

Stoke City v Reading 22.10.05

Dave Kitson returned from injury to score the only goal of the game, when reading travelled to Stoke City's Britainia Stadium. After 15 games played in the Championship, reading were in second place with 34 points, 3 points behind leaders Sheffield Utd but 6 points ahead of Luton Town in third place.

Reading v Sheffield Utd 01.10.05

After eleven games of the season, Reading were in second spot six points behind the leaders Sheffield Utd, the next team to visit the Madejski Stadium. In this highly competitive top of the table clash, Reading came away victorious with a 2-1 win, thanks to two goals from Brynjar Gunnarsson. The first only after three minutes from a Glen Little corner, and his second an 88^th minute headed goal.

Brynjar Gunnarsson heads a free kick goalwards from distance 

Paddy Kenny dives desparately to stop the ball...

.......but watches helplessly as the ball goes into the net

The Reading fans applaud and cheer the goal

Gunnarsson is joined by Glen Little & Bobby Convey to celebrate

The Reading players mob Gunnarsson while the Sheffield players are clearly upset

One of many thousands of images I captured during the 2005/6 season, the last one above would go into my top ten. Such a contarst between in the background the joy of scoring and celebrating what was to be such an important goal, and in the foreground the disappointment and annoyance of conceding so late in the game, great stuff.