Wigan Athletic 0 Reading 2 - Saturday 6th December 2003

Forster double sinks Latics

Report by John Patrick Heeley

A Nicky Forster double ensured Reading completed a league double over Wigan Athletic, only 4 weeks after an Andy Hughes goal had settled the first game at the Madejski Stadium.

Wigan had their chances in this game but were unable to capitalise on any of their advances on the Reading goal and were ultimately made to pay by a Reading side who now leapfrog Wigan, moving into fifth place.

The defeat, which ended the Division's last home unbeaten record, was also Wigan's worst since, wait for it, the last time that Reading visited the JJB Stadium back in January 2002 when Andy Hughes and Nicky Forster (yes him again) settled the game by the same scoreline.

Wigan were without striker Geoff Horsfield and left back Steve McMillan through injury plus Matt Jackson, who had struggled with a chest complaint was placed on the bench as Jason De Vos started his first game since the season's opener at Millwall.

Loan signing Alan Rogers continued in place of McMillan but the big surprise was that Paul Jewell had opted for a Nathan Ellington/Andy Liddell partnership up front with Gary Teale starting on the right wing, leaving Neil Roberts to take his place amongst the substitutes.

In an action packed first half Wigan carved out plenty of openings for themselves but faltered at the final hurdle with Reading's American keeper Marcus Hahnemann hardly breaking into a sweat as he comfortably dealt with anything sent his way.

However it was Reading who almost drew first blood with less than 2 minutes gone when Andy Hughes played in Forster but the striker dragged his shot shaving the outside of the far post after racing into the danger zone.

Lee McCulloch then saw his effort blaze over the bar a couple of minutes later and Andy Liddell was unlucky not to have got his name on the scoresheet soon after when his deflected shot was cleared off the line by Reading skipper Graeme Murty and then saw another effort saved by Hahnemann.

Reading were a constant threat on the break with everything seemingly aimed at Forster down the left flank and a long kick from Hahnemann almost paid dividends when the ball found it's intended target but the former Birmingham City forward struck his shot from outside of the area wide of the mark.

Filan was then called into action when he denied Forster with an excellent block after Hughes had again put his team mate through on goal.

Liddell could possibly have done better on the half hour mark when Ellington sent him clear on goal.

With the Reading defence screaming for an offside flag, Liddell charged forward with only the keeper to beat but his shot failed to beat Hahnemann who dove low to save.

The second half opening twice saw Ellington go close with The Duke first shooting wide and then forcing Hahnemann into a decent save from distance.

However just as Wigan seemed to be stamping their authority on the game disaster struck.

Latics won a corner down the left which was cleared with a long boot upfield by Nicky Shorey.

NICKY FORSTER picked up the ball on the half way line and sprinted towards goal, leaving the defence for dead, before rattling home from just inside the area for his 10th goal of the season.

In search of a reply Wigan wasted a number of golden opportunities following good work in the middle of the park, notably Jason Jarrett who chased after everything until he was replaced by Neil Roberts towards the end of the game.

Gary Teale used his pace to get sight of goal but his final touch lacked direction, not to mention the strength that had got him into the striking position in the first place.

Lee McCulloch also saw a decent chance go begging when his snapshot from the edge of the area failed to test Hahnemann's resolve.

With the game well into the final 10 minutes Forster went close to wrapping up the points for his side after James Harper had played him in on goal but Filan was on hand to thwart the Reading number 10.

However five minutes later he could do nothing to prevent NICKY FORSTER from doubling his afternoon's tally after Harper had again set him up, his low, powerful shot easily beating the Wigan keeper.

The result means that Wigan dropped a place to sixth with Reading moving upto fifth spot.