Reading 0 Stoke 3 – 7/11/20 12.30
It seemed effortless for Stoke to dismiss league leaders Reading, but City looked like promotion possibles in this gutsy 3-0 win. Gutsy, but only McClean got a yellow card. Predictably. Here’s how the game unfolded in real time:
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Stoke unchanged for 3 in a row? Unprecedented. The only shock is Tom Ince returning to the bench. It’s come to this that Ince is the shock-factor in this side! Although James McClean will be playing without a poppy on his shirt, the players all still take the knee. Kudos. Reading are top, Stoke are 11th. Ominous.
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5.40 Attacking Reading struggling to get their corners past the Stoke defender posted only 15 yards away. They’ve obviously done their homework on set pieces. The Delap factor.
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22.15 1-0 !!! Campbell sneakily hits a loose ball into the corner after Reading fail to clear a free kick. Never take your eye off Tyrese!!
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34.48 2-0 ! Reading messing up at the back, the keeper’s chipped clearance put back in by Smith via Tyrese, & Fletch slots home!!! Not offside either despite wimpy protests. More sloppy defending.
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HT Top Team 0 Mid-Table Team 2
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45.00 Tash on for Powell. Defensive move by MON?
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48.30 After McClean robs the defender, Tyrese hits a lazy looking curling shot from the left & hits the post! Everyone looks stunned. Too stunned to put in the rebound.
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71.40 Despite Tash pulling something, Nathan Collins comes on for Fletcher. Collins joins a back-3, with Fox now left back… Stoke surviving with 32% possession.
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82.20 Jacob Brown comes on for Tyrese, who looked like he had a poke in the eye. Who would dare do that?!
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94.40 3-0 ! Brown picks up the ball after defender Gibson’s back pass goes array, rounds the keeper for 3-0! Easy! Gibson collides with post in desperation.
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FT League Leaders 0 Stoke Challengers 3!
