Monday 14 March 2016

Reading Reunion

Wembley! Wembley! We're the lads from Oxford City and we're going to Wembley! After nine games in this year's FA Cup we will be following Crystal Palace to Wembley in the semi final thanks to a 2-0 win against Reading.

And to think... we almost didn't make it to the game. Just 4 days previously our story looked to be over as we couldn't manage to tickets for the the match at the Madejski Stadium. We had all discussed it and we were resigned to watching it on BBC like the rest of the country. But then an email popped into my inbox from Reading saying that there was still tickets - how many would we want? Fantastic! My relentless badgering had paid off and my former boss at Reading FC Women had put in a good word for us. Our story continued.

Not only were we amazed that we had managed to score tickets, but also the tickets were just a tenner. They were the cheapest tickets since the 3rd Qualifying Round between Bognor Regis and Oxford City. A brilliant touch by the two clubs to keep the price so low.

Ben and Liam both had injuries ahead of the game so there were a couple of changes made to the starting three - Jack and Matt joined Dave for their fourth game of the trip.

After visiting White Hart Lane last game, the Madejski Stadium was quite a contrast. Built just 18 years ago the ground is beautifully and practically designed. There was no tight squeezing through the turnstiles and no long queues to the bar, seats of toilets. And the view from the inside is quite stunning...
The game itself was free-flowing and gripping to watch. A proper cup tie from two clubs who are struggling in their respective leagues and dreaming of a day out to Wembley.

Crystal Palace could have been out of sight in the first half but the strong hands of Ali Al Habsi in the Reading goal denied the Eagles time after time. Palace looked very dangerous down the right wing with the pace of both Zaha and Bolasie but they were both guilty of trying one-to-many tricks and squandering possession.

Now I feel I need to give unreserved apologies to Emmanuel Adebayor who I slated in the last game against Spurs. The Palace forward looked like a completely different player this game - determined, skillful and a handful for the Reading back line. But even he couldn't find the break through.

The second half got a bit feisty. Some late challenges went in and a small fight broke out which ended in yellow cards for both players involved. As the yellow card count kept on rising we were sure there was going to be a red on the horizon.

And we were right, in the 85th minute, local Reading boy Cooper gave away the softest penalty ever and received a second yellow card. Cabaye calmly stepped up and slotted the penalty away to send Palace within five minutes of Wembley.

With Reading pushing for an equaliser and down to 10 men a second goal in the game was almost inevitable. With seconds left on the clock Campbell finished off a fine move for Palace to send the Eagles through to a Wembley showdown. The result was probably fair but Reading fans will feel upset they didn't manage to score.

But who would Palace face in the Semis? Chelsea? Arsenal? Liverpool? Leicester? No... all the big boys have been dumped out of what have been an incredible cup competition. The FA Cup this year has emulated the unpredictability of the Premier League and only one recognised big side remain in the last four - Manchester United (although can you call them a big side anymore?) It was left to the One Show to announce that Crystal Palace would face Watford in the semi final. I bet no one expected that at the start of the season!


So there you have it. From Marsh Lane to Wembley - we are finally there and we will behind Palace all the way!

Come on you Eagles.
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