FA Cup
26 January, 2013
Reading
Adam Federici
1
Stephen Kelly
27
Adrian Mariappa
6
Sean Morrison
15
Nicky Shorey
3
Garath McCleary
12
Mikele Leigertwood
8
Jem Karacan
4
Hal Robson-Kanu
19
Noel Hunt
10
Adam Le Fondre
9
Substitutes
Danny Guthrie
20
Stuart Taylor
41
Alex Pearce
5
Jimmy Kebe
14
Simon Church
18
Jobi McAnuff
11
Shaun Cummings
24
Sheffield United
25
George Long
2
Darryl Westlake
4
Danny Higginbotham
5
Harry Maguire
29
Tony McMahon
10
Nick Blackman
11
Kevin McDonald
8
Michael Doyle
23
Jamie Murphy
9
Chris Porter
14
David Kitson
Substitutes
7
Ryan Flynn
15
Neill Collins
27
Elliott Whitehouse
17
Richard Cresswell
35
Danny Coyne
24
Joe Ironside
36
Diego De Giorlamo
Referee: Chris Foy
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Sheffield United may have had the better recent record in this fixture, but they have been firmly beaten today by a Reading side who never looked troubled by their opponents. Noel Hunt opened the scoring after five minutes with a header, before Mikele Leigertwood's long-range effort doubled the advantage. Hunt got his second after being played in and Garath McCleary secured the win with a fourth for the home side. Aside from the goals, there was no real action whatsoever and Reading fans will be happy to be in the next round. Reading 4 - 0 Sheffield United.
The referee ends the game. Reading are the victors by four goals to nil.
Two minutes are added on. I don't see why, they may as well just end it now.
The home fans are beginning to stream out of the stadium. That isn't good as the game isn't over yet and their side is winning by four goals!
Well, barring a late miracle, Reading will be heading into the draw for the next round. They have got the job done this afternoon without really getting out of second gear.
Surprisingly, Mikele Leigertwood is the man to be taken off for Danny Guthrie. Jem Karacan has the armband for the last six minutes or so.
Danny Guthrie is ready to come on for Reading, with Jem Karacan expected to come off.
Jem Karacan, who hasn't had the greatest of games today, is jeered by the visiting fans when he gives the ball away under no pressure at all. Maybe he needs to come off.
The home side are firmly in control here. They have not lost the ball in the last couple of minutes and look keen for more goals, with both Stephen Kelly and Nicky Shorey making surging runs in the last few moments.
Darryl Westlake is the final man to be withdrawn, with Neill Collins taking his place to build up some fitness.
The pace of the game, which hasn't been good all afternoon, has slowed even more. The fans aren't that into this fixture and I don't think it'll be a tie that lives long in the memory.
Noel Hunt is desperate for his hat trick and so when Reading win a free kick, he trots across to take it. Unfortunately Nicky Shorey gets there first and after some discussion, Hunt takes the kick. It cannons in to the wall and I doubt Hunt will be taking any more today.
Kevin McDonald leaves the field for Sheffield United, with Elliott Whitehouse taking his place.
Reading have found most of their success today by utilising the pace and skills of Hal Robson-Kanu and Garath McCleary. The wide men have looked good today and can't have done their chances of a regular starting place any harm at all.
The ball is being played around the middle of the field without any urgency. This game is over as a contest but there is still time for more goals.
Sheffield United pump the ball into the box and several players have a swing at it, and after a few moments of chaos Reading eventually clear.
Chris Porter leaves the field, with Ryan Flynn taking his place.
How did no-one poke this home? Nicky Shorey bends in a free kick from the left and it misses everyone in the box, eventually bouncing out for a goal kick.
Both managers look as if they are getting ready to make changes. For Reading, it will be to let some others in on the action, whilst for Sheffield United it's all about damage limitation.
The Royals are turning on the style here. Nicky Shorey sends a cross-field ball to the feet of Adam Le Fondre, who beats his man and gets into the box. He cuts it back for Garath McCleary, who shifts the ball on to his left foot before bending it in. Reading 4 - 0 Sheffield United.
THIS IS BECOMING A ROUT!
Adam Federici is down in some pain after slipping as he kicks the ball. He appears to be in discomfort and is holding his knee.
David Kitson tries a 30-yard piledriver, but it sails well over the bar. You can't blame the former Reading man for looking for the spectacular.
Noel Hunt has his second, but the goal was made by Garath McCleary. The winger controls the ball and looks to play in Adam Le Fondre, but takes it on himself and sends a cross in. Hunt finds some space and mis-hits his shot, but it still has enough on it to beat George Long. Reading 3 - 0 Sheffield United.
A THIRD FROM READING!
Jem Karacan is always looking for the killer ball, when it may be easier to play a simple ball to a team-mate. You can't blame his effort though.
The fans are almost silent as the second half is underway. Not what you want to hear, at all.
The visitors kick off the second period.
So far this tie hasn't live up to the magic of the cup, with the Premier League side being two goals up against the League One outfit. Both sides have had limited opportunities in a scrappy first period, and the only real quality came when Mikele Leigertwood rifled home Reading's second. Noel Hunt had done well to turn home a Hal Robson-Kanu cross earlier in the half, but aside from that this match has been lacking in excitement.
The referee ends the half, and Reading are ahead by two goals to nil.
Reading are still on the attack here and want a third. The half is coming to an end so their fans will be hoping that they can keep up this momentum in the second period.
The home fans are singing once again, knowing that a two-goal advantage is a big challenge for their opponents to overcome. However, this is the FA Cup, and anything can happen.
Reading have been on the attack in the last few moments, and this is no more than they deserve. Michael Doyle tries to bring the ball out of defence, but is robbed by Mikele Leigertwood, who then lashes a shot into the top corner. Top stuff. Reading 2 - 0 Sheffield United.
READING DOUBLE THEIR LEAD!!!
Adam Federici, who had a decidedly shaky start to the season, has come into his own in the last couple of weeks. He gets down smartly here to divert a shot wide and the home fans applaud his endeavour.
The Reading fans, who had been expecting a big win today, are not seeing their team produce the goods. Sheffield United look more than capable of grabbing a goal and Reading will need a second to calm some nerves.
Noel Hunt uses all his experience and know-how to buy a free kick, only for it to come to nothing. Great play from Hunt, however.
The visitors are firmly on the attack here and look dangerous. Set pieces seem to be their weapon of choice, as they are looking to win as many free kicks and corners as possible.
The Reading wall holds firm to divert a Tony McMahon free kick away, and Adam Federici rightly praises his team-mates.
The pitch, which has to contend with both football and rugby, is looking slightly unloved. There are bald patches all over and both penalty boxes are in poor condition. It doesn't help the game to flow.
Jem Karacan and David Kitson clash in the air, with both men going down injured. Not good for either side.
Sheffield United are trying to break through the Reading defence, but are not having any joy so far. The hosts are marshalling them well and look comfortable.
Nick Blackman turns the boosters on down the right flank and cuts the ball back for Chris Porter, whose touch goalwards is diverted out for a corner.
Neither side has been able to control the ball well, allowing their opponents to win it back. It doesn't make for the most exciting football match.
The game hasn't been wonderful to watch so far, but both sides are giving it a go. The Reading fans seem confident that their side will get through, and aren't as excited as they have been in league games recently.
Reading are dominating this game, not letting Sheffield United have a sniff. The visitors will need to be effective on the counter if they want to get something from this.
Nicky Shorey is working well with Hal Robson-Kanu down the left flank, and you have to feel that there could be more goals provided by these two should they continue to play like this.
Tony McMahon tries to curl a free kick over the wall and into the net, but he gets it wrong and it clears the bar.
The Sheffield United fans, who have made a long trip down for this tie, are making themselves heard. Just what you want to see from away supporters.
The Premier League side are in the lead. Hal Robson-Kanu gets down the wing well and sends in a superb cross, and Noel Hunt rises at the back post to power home the header. Reading 1 - 0 Sheffield United.
READING TAKE THE LEAD!!!
Reading nearly make the breakthrough as Garath McCleary swings in a ball from the left, only for Sean Morrison to miss it by inches. Adam Le Fondre can't do anything with the chance after that.
As the clocks strikes three minutes, the whole stadium rises to applaud Chris Armstrong. A lovely sight to see.
Nick Blackman, the Sheffield United striker, is in the squad today. Rumours are abound of an impeding move to Crystal Palace, so his presence could dispel those.
Reading start the tie, kicking from left to right.
The Blades make just one change to the side that drew with Notts County, as Chris Porter starts ahead of Ryan Flynn. The visitors will be hoping that their strongest side can go all out for a win.
The Royals have made several changes for the visit of Sheffield United. Nicky Shorey and Sean Morrison come in to the defence with Alex Pearce and Ian Harte dropping out, whilst Jem Karacan takes Danny Guthrie's place in centre midfield. Hal Robson-Kanu starts on the wing, with Noel Hunt and Adam Le Fondre leading the line, as Pavel Pogrebnyak, Jobi McAnuff and Jimmy Kebe drop out.
Chris Armstrong, who played for both teams, retired in 2011 due to Multiple Sclerosis. The full-back was a popular figure for both sets of supporters, and will be applauded during the third minute of the game due to his number being number three.
Reading go into this match in a good run of form, having won four of their last five matches, compared to one win in five for Sheffield United. The Royals have the marginally record of the two sides, having won 16 and lost 15 of the 38 games between them. However Sheffield United have the better recent record, with four wins and one draw of the last five fixtures.
Chris Foy is the referee for this game, and the Merseyside official has been very lenient in his 21 games this season. He has shown 39 yellow cards and one red, but the red was the controversial one shown to Eden Hazard in midweek. Mr Foy has been in charge of two Reading games this season, the 1-0 away loss to West Brom and the 0-0 home draw with Norwich. No Reading players were cautioned in those games.
Former Reading players David Kitson and Marcus Williams hope to play against their former side, with the latter having recovered from illness. However, the Blades have several other problems in defence, with Mark Howard, Jean-Francois Lescinel, Neill Collins and Matthew Hill all missing from the regular back five. Striker Shaun Miller is also missing with a knee problem, but aside from that the visitors are likely to field as strong a side as possible.
The hosts could make several changes to their regular league side. Alex McCarthy is not yet ready to return from a shoulder injury so Stuart Taylor could make his first start for the club. Jason Roberts is still unavailable due to a hip complaint and Jem Karacan picked up a knock in training, but could be available. Adam Le Fondre, who has so often played the role of the super-sub this season, could play from the start, but new signing Hope Akpan is cup-tied having played from Crawley earlier in the season. Fringe players such as Sean Morrison, Nicky Shorey, Jay Tabb and Noel Hunt could all play a part.
Hello and welcome to the build-up for Saturday's FA Cup game between Reading and Sheffield United. These two had an intruiging rivalry on the way to Reading's Championship victory in 2005/2006, and will look forward to locking horns once again. A particular highlight will be the planned tribute to Chris Armstrong, a former player for both sides who had to retire from the game due to Multiple Sclerosis in 2011.