sportinglife.com
Reading 3 Burnley 2
By Jon West, PA Sport
http://tinyurl.com/u5a25
An under-strength Reading side survived a Burnley comeback to book a place in the FA Cup fourth round
at the Madejski Stadium.
The Royals, featuring just two players assured of a start at Everton on Sunday, had looked secure at 3-0 up
but had to withstand a late Clarets' onslaught to set up an away tie at either Birmingham or Newcastle.
This was the game that had been postponed just before kick-off on Saturday because of a waterlogged pitch,
meaning Burnley fans who made both journeys will have clocked up more than a 1,000 miles by the time they get
back to Lancashire.
The day had begun with the Countess of Wessex visiting the Madejski Stadium, but only 11,514 attended
the match that followed.
Those who were there certainly got their money's worth as Reading's first two goals were very good.
The first, after fit-again winger Bobby Convey had hit a post in the fifth minute, was netted just before the
half-hour mark by Leroy Lita.
The striker, who had suffered a broken ankle at Burnley in March last year, received the ball following a
flick-on from strike partner Shane Long and, although two defenders were nearby, still managed to beat goalkeeper
Brian Jensen from the edge of the box with a low drive.
It was his eighth goal of the season and his fourth in the last four games.
Reading's second in the 37th minute was even better and this time Long was the man on target with Lita the provider.
The 19-year-old Irishman, for so long in the shadow of fellow countryman Kevin Doyle, showed he is also a fine finisher
by taking the ball past Jensen and then beating him from a seemingly impossible angle on the right of the box.
Burnley had only themselves to blame for being so far behind as they had fluffed good chances themselves when the
game was scoreless.
Wade Elliott was the first culprit in the 11th minute when he failed to beat Reading's debutant goalkeeper Adam Federici
with all the goal to aim at. Gifton Noel-Williams was first to the rebound but saw his shot blocked by Ivar Ingimarsson.
The second chance came in the 19th minute when Ade Akinbiyi peeled away from his marker at the back post but
saw the young Australian save his powerful header.
Reading made it 3-0 10 minutes after the restart with a goal from Sam Sodje, his first for the club he joined from
Brentford in the summer.
Left-back Scott Golbourne, making his first Reading start, fired in a cross from the left but goalkeeper Jensen seemed
odds-on to catch comfortably, until Sodje outjumped him from five yards.
The hour-mark saw Lita replaced by Dave Kitson, the striker making his first appearance since suffering a knee injury
on the opening day of the season.
Burnley needed a goal from somewhere and Akinbiyi provided it in the 70th minute, lofting the ball high over
the advancing Federici with the Reading defence nowhere.
Burnley made a double substitution with Alan Mahon and Kyle Lafferty coming on and with 15 minutes remaining
Reading manager Steve Coppell took off Ingimarsson to give teenage defender Alex Pearce a debut.
There was still plenty of defending to be done and Federici was the focal point.
First he made a fine diving save to keep out Akinbiyi's shot on the turn and then was behind a close-range
header from Lafferty.
Burnley made their third change, replacing Elliott with Garreth O'Connor, before Federici blocked a shot from
Mahon in the box.
The substitute then headed an even better opportunity over before fellow replacement O'Connor showed him how
it was done in stoppage time when he capitalised on Federici's only real error of the night - a punch straight to him.
But there was no time for a third and Reading were through.
Teams
Reading: Federici, De la Cruz, Sodje, Ingimarsson (Pearce 74),
Golbourne, Ki-Hyeon, Oster, Bikey, Convey, Lita (Kitson 60),
Long.
Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Hunt, Harper.
Booked: Bikey.
Goals: Lita 27, Long 37, Sodje 55.
Burnley: Jensen, Thomas, McGreal, Foster, Harley,
James O'Connor, Noel-Williams (Lafferty 70), McCann,
Elliott (Garreth O'Connor 84), Jones (Mahon 70), Akinbiyi.
Subs Not Used: Branch, Spicer.
Booked: McGreal.
Goals: Akinbiyi 69, Garreth O'Connor 90.
Att: 11,514
Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).
STAT ATTACK
Reading.....Burnley
6 Shots On Target 11
5 Shots Off Target 6
7 Fouls (Conceded) 9
4 Corners 9
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
What the papers say: Burnley
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http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2007/01/Reading.htm
Long is Royals' prince
By Russell Staves at the Madejski Stadium.. Tuesday, 09 January 2007.
Kevin Doyle might be the king of the Madejski Stadium at the moment, but fellow Irishman Shane Long is the heir apparent after a royal display against Burnley on Tuesday night.
The teenage starlet scored one of the goals of the Third Round during a thoroughly entertaining tie in which Burnley played their part.
Both Doyle and Long joined Reading from Cork City in June 2005, and while Doyle's goals have made him one of the Premier League's hottest properties, Long has waited in the wings, feasting on goals in the reserves.
But tonight, the prince came to the ball.
Leroy Lita and Sam Sodje were the other Reading goalscorers as the hosts raced into a 3-0 lead. Ade Akinbiyi and substitute Garreth O'Conner set up a nervy finale with two second half goals but the home side held on to book a place in the Fourth Round.
On a mild evening and on a decent looking pitch that had recovered remarkably well from Saturday's deluge, it was the hosts who flew out of the traps.
Belying the major surgery Steve Coppell had carried out on his team - only two of the XI that thrashed West Ham 6-0 were included in the starting XI - the Royals looked cohesive in a bright opening.
Andre Bikey, Reading's no-nonsense central midfielder, had the first attempt on goal but it was the fans behind the Burnley keeper Brian Jensen who were most in danger, his wild volley flying halfway up the stand.
The home side were just inches away from taking the lead after five minutes when Bobby Convey crashed a shot against the post after good work by Long.
It was Long's turn to go close moments later. Ki-Hyeon Soel appeared to be going down a cul-de-sac but, just as he was running out of pitch, he cut inside and pulled the ball back to Long but the hitman could not turn it in.
The frantically paced action switched to the other end with the impressive Wade Elliott a constant menace for the visitors.
Only Ulises De La Cruz's timely intervention denied Elliott a clear run on goal after the Burnley midfielder had latched on to his own header through the middle.
Elliott went even closer a minute later, bringing a smart save out of Australian keeper Adam Federici who was making his debut. However, the danger was not over yet, the loose ball falling to Gifton Noel-Williams whose goalbound shot was hacked clear.
The much travelled Akinbiyi, who returned to the club from Sheffield United at the start of the month, thought he had put his side ahead on 20 minutes. Peeling off his marker, the dreadlocked forward sent a powerful header that seemed destined to burst the net.
Young Federici had other ideas, flinging himself to his left to palm the ball wide. It was a truly outstanding save. In a nice touch, the astounded Akinbiyi, hands on head, went over and shook the keeper's hand. It seems to have been a winter of Australians coming out on top.
After weathering the storm, Reading went ahead in the 27th minute. De La Cruz's through ball prompted panic in the Burnley defence allowing Lita, the only player who kept his head, time and space to fire into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. It was his fourth goal in as many games.
The lead was doubled ten minutes later, and what a goal it was.
The Burnley goal appeared in little danger after Long had latched on to Lita's through ball and rounded Jensen. With the angle almost impossible, Long took a cultured swing with his right boot and sent the ball arrowing into the bottom corner. Extraordinary stuff.
It could have been 3-0 two minutes later but for some brave defending by James O'Conner, the Burnley man bravely blocking Lita's powerful effort.
Any hopes Burnley had of an unlikely comeback were laid to rest ten minutes after the restart. Scott Golbourne, an England youth international making his first start, lobbed over an inviting cross which Sodje met with a thumping header before dashing off to do a peculiar celebratory dance by the corner flag.
Burnley, perhaps a little unlucky to be three goals behind, gave themselves a lifeline with 21 minutes left.
Akinbiyi, so often cast as the pantomime villain, raced on to a hopeful punt before expertly lifting the ball over Federici who was in no-man's-land.
But the impressive Australian was to have the final say.
With Burnley's fans urging their team forward, Akinbiyi responded by drilling a volley towards the bottom corner. For the second time in the evening, Federici sprung to his left to save spectacularly.
From the resulting corner, Federici made another excellent stop from Kyle Lafferty who lurked just yards from goal.
O'Conner set up a grandstand finish when he knocked in a loose ball in extra-time, but Reading hung on.
Long is Royals' prince
By Russell Staves at the Madejski Stadium.. Tuesday, 09 January 2007.
Kevin Doyle might be the king of the Madejski Stadium at the moment, but fellow Irishman Shane Long is the heir apparent after a royal display against Burnley on Tuesday night.
The teenage starlet scored one of the goals of the Third Round during a thoroughly entertaining tie in which Burnley played their part.
Both Doyle and Long joined Reading from Cork City in June 2005, and while Doyle's goals have made him one of the Premier League's hottest properties, Long has waited in the wings, feasting on goals in the reserves.
But tonight, the prince came to the ball.
Leroy Lita and Sam Sodje were the other Reading goalscorers as the hosts raced into a 3-0 lead. Ade Akinbiyi and substitute Garreth O'Conner set up a nervy finale with two second half goals but the home side held on to book a place in the Fourth Round.
On a mild evening and on a decent looking pitch that had recovered remarkably well from Saturday's deluge, it was the hosts who flew out of the traps.
Belying the major surgery Steve Coppell had carried out on his team - only two of the XI that thrashed West Ham 6-0 were included in the starting XI - the Royals looked cohesive in a bright opening.
Andre Bikey, Reading's no-nonsense central midfielder, had the first attempt on goal but it was the fans behind the Burnley keeper Brian Jensen who were most in danger, his wild volley flying halfway up the stand.
The home side were just inches away from taking the lead after five minutes when Bobby Convey crashed a shot against the post after good work by Long.
It was Long's turn to go close moments later. Ki-Hyeon Soel appeared to be going down a cul-de-sac but, just as he was running out of pitch, he cut inside and pulled the ball back to Long but the hitman could not turn it in.
The frantically paced action switched to the other end with the impressive Wade Elliott a constant menace for the visitors.
Only Ulises De La Cruz's timely intervention denied Elliott a clear run on goal after the Burnley midfielder had latched on to his own header through the middle.
Elliott went even closer a minute later, bringing a smart save out of Australian keeper Adam Federici who was making his debut. However, the danger was not over yet, the loose ball falling to Gifton Noel-Williams whose goalbound shot was hacked clear.
The much travelled Akinbiyi, who returned to the club from Sheffield United at the start of the month, thought he had put his side ahead on 20 minutes. Peeling off his marker, the dreadlocked forward sent a powerful header that seemed destined to burst the net.
Young Federici had other ideas, flinging himself to his left to palm the ball wide. It was a truly outstanding save. In a nice touch, the astounded Akinbiyi, hands on head, went over and shook the keeper's hand. It seems to have been a winter of Australians coming out on top.
After weathering the storm, Reading went ahead in the 27th minute. De La Cruz's through ball prompted panic in the Burnley defence allowing Lita, the only player who kept his head, time and space to fire into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. It was his fourth goal in as many games.
The lead was doubled ten minutes later, and what a goal it was.
The Burnley goal appeared in little danger after Long had latched on to Lita's through ball and rounded Jensen. With the angle almost impossible, Long took a cultured swing with his right boot and sent the ball arrowing into the bottom corner. Extraordinary stuff.
It could have been 3-0 two minutes later but for some brave defending by James O'Conner, the Burnley man bravely blocking Lita's powerful effort.
Any hopes Burnley had of an unlikely comeback were laid to rest ten minutes after the restart. Scott Golbourne, an England youth international making his first start, lobbed over an inviting cross which Sodje met with a thumping header before dashing off to do a peculiar celebratory dance by the corner flag.
Burnley, perhaps a little unlucky to be three goals behind, gave themselves a lifeline with 21 minutes left.
Akinbiyi, so often cast as the pantomime villain, raced on to a hopeful punt before expertly lifting the ball over Federici who was in no-man's-land.
But the impressive Australian was to have the final say.
With Burnley's fans urging their team forward, Akinbiyi responded by drilling a volley towards the bottom corner. For the second time in the evening, Federici sprung to his left to save spectacularly.
From the resulting corner, Federici made another excellent stop from Kyle Lafferty who lurked just yards from goal.
O'Conner set up a grandstand finish when he knocked in a loose ball in extra-time, but Reading hung on.
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Long applies the finishing touch with his masterpiece
Russell Kempson
Reading 3 Burnley 2
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2539946,00.html
Shane Long might have been the makeweight in the cut-price deal that brought Kevin Doyle, his fellow striker, from Ireland to England in the summer of 2005 but it was his turn to hog the limelight last night. An extraordinary second goal, rifled in from what seemed like an impossibly acute angle, helped Reading to ease past Burnley in their restaged FA Cup third-round tie.
Doyle sat in admiration on the substitutes’ bench and although Garreth O’Connor scored a late consolation for Burnley, the match was never as close as the scoreline suggested. Reading are away to Newcastle United or Birmingham City in the fourth round.
Like last season, when they romped away with the Coca-Cola Championship, Reading fielded a makeshift line-up for the FA Cup. Steve Coppell, the manager, had bigger fish to fry then and even bigger fish — of the Barclays Premiership species — now.
At least both line-ups should have been fresh. Reading had not played since their 6-0 humbling of West Ham United on New Year’s Day — the original cup-tie on Saturday had been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch — while Burnley, also because of bad weather, had not had a run-out since the 2-0 defeat away to Hull City on December 30.
Burnley were probably glad of the break. They had won only one match in ten, none in their past six and had not scored in their past three. Five minutes into the match, they almost faced another uphill struggle when Bobby Convey, returning after a long injury layoff, struck a post after good work by Leroy Lita and Long.
Once Burnley had settled, though, they began to make headway. Wade Elliott forced a good save from Adam Federici. From the rebound, Gifton Noel-Williams fluffed his lines.
Ade Akinbiyi, back for his second spell with Burnley, having left Sheffield United, then stared in disbelief after Federici had made a stunning stop to keep out his powerful header from Jon Harley’s cross. It was the turning point, with Reading having forged 2-0 ahead within 17 minutes.
First, Lita fastened on to a chipped pass from Ulises De La Cruz and beat Brian Jensen, the Burnley goalkeeper, with a fierce low shot. It was his fourth goal in as many games.
Then came Long’s ridiculously angled second, a possible candidate for any “What Happened Next?â€
Russell Kempson
Reading 3 Burnley 2
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2539946,00.html
Shane Long might have been the makeweight in the cut-price deal that brought Kevin Doyle, his fellow striker, from Ireland to England in the summer of 2005 but it was his turn to hog the limelight last night. An extraordinary second goal, rifled in from what seemed like an impossibly acute angle, helped Reading to ease past Burnley in their restaged FA Cup third-round tie.
Doyle sat in admiration on the substitutes’ bench and although Garreth O’Connor scored a late consolation for Burnley, the match was never as close as the scoreline suggested. Reading are away to Newcastle United or Birmingham City in the fourth round.
Like last season, when they romped away with the Coca-Cola Championship, Reading fielded a makeshift line-up for the FA Cup. Steve Coppell, the manager, had bigger fish to fry then and even bigger fish — of the Barclays Premiership species — now.
At least both line-ups should have been fresh. Reading had not played since their 6-0 humbling of West Ham United on New Year’s Day — the original cup-tie on Saturday had been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch — while Burnley, also because of bad weather, had not had a run-out since the 2-0 defeat away to Hull City on December 30.
Burnley were probably glad of the break. They had won only one match in ten, none in their past six and had not scored in their past three. Five minutes into the match, they almost faced another uphill struggle when Bobby Convey, returning after a long injury layoff, struck a post after good work by Leroy Lita and Long.
Once Burnley had settled, though, they began to make headway. Wade Elliott forced a good save from Adam Federici. From the rebound, Gifton Noel-Williams fluffed his lines.
Ade Akinbiyi, back for his second spell with Burnley, having left Sheffield United, then stared in disbelief after Federici had made a stunning stop to keep out his powerful header from Jon Harley’s cross. It was the turning point, with Reading having forged 2-0 ahead within 17 minutes.
First, Lita fastened on to a chipped pass from Ulises De La Cruz and beat Brian Jensen, the Burnley goalkeeper, with a fierce low shot. It was his fourth goal in as many games.
Then came Long’s ridiculously angled second, a possible candidate for any “What Happened Next?â€
Sky website
Reading withstood a late fightback from Burnley to move into the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 3-2 win at The Madejski Stadium.
First-half goals from Leroy Lita and Shane Long, followed by a 55th minute header from Sam Sodje, had the Premiership club cruising through to the next round.
But Ade Akinbiyi gave Burnley a glimmer of hope and Gareth O'Connor set up a nervy finish as the visitors almost forced a replay.
Reading, sticking with the team which would have started Saturday's original game, almost took the lead after a few minutes when Bobby Convey struck the post after collecting Long's pass into the box.
Burnley gave as good as they got in the early stages and had a double chance on 10 minutes, with Adam Federici saving from Wade Elliott and then Gifton Noel-Williams hitting Ivar Ingimarsson with the rebound.
Federici was making his debut for Reading in goal and he produced another smart stop on 19 minutes, turning away Akinbiyi's powerful header.
The breakthrough arrived on 27 minutes as Lita collected Long's flick-on from Ulises de la Cruz's punt forward and fired a low shot past Brian Jensen from outside the area.
Lita turned provider for Reading's second goal 10 minutes later as he released Long, who darted past Jensen at the side of the box before smacking a volley into the net from an improbably acute angle.
Convey, making his first appearance since October, then delivered a ball into the box, which Lita took time to master before striking his shot against a Burnley defender.
Burnley had a half-chance towards half-time, when Akinbiyi's knock-back found Steve Jones. He mis-hit his shot straight to Noel-Williams, who was unable to make the most of the opportunity.
Reading added a third goal 10 minutes into the second half when Scott Golbourne, on his first start for the club, whipped in a cross which Sodje met with real determination.
Dave Kitson was then introduced for his first appearance since the opening day of the season and he shot wide after being found by Seol Ki-hyeon.
Burnley pulled one back on 69 minutes when Akinbiyi marked his first appearance since rejoining the club by beating Federici.
The Reading keeper then made a superb one-handed stop to deny Akinbiyi a second goal, and from the resulting corner held on to Kyle Lafferty's header.
Lafferty then nodded over another good opportunity from close range before O'Connor pounced in the final minute, only for Burnley to have no time to snaffle an equaliser.
Reading will now meet either Birmingham City or Newcastle United away from home in the fourth round.
Reading withstood a late fightback from Burnley to move into the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 3-2 win at The Madejski Stadium.
First-half goals from Leroy Lita and Shane Long, followed by a 55th minute header from Sam Sodje, had the Premiership club cruising through to the next round.
But Ade Akinbiyi gave Burnley a glimmer of hope and Gareth O'Connor set up a nervy finish as the visitors almost forced a replay.
Reading, sticking with the team which would have started Saturday's original game, almost took the lead after a few minutes when Bobby Convey struck the post after collecting Long's pass into the box.
Burnley gave as good as they got in the early stages and had a double chance on 10 minutes, with Adam Federici saving from Wade Elliott and then Gifton Noel-Williams hitting Ivar Ingimarsson with the rebound.
Federici was making his debut for Reading in goal and he produced another smart stop on 19 minutes, turning away Akinbiyi's powerful header.
The breakthrough arrived on 27 minutes as Lita collected Long's flick-on from Ulises de la Cruz's punt forward and fired a low shot past Brian Jensen from outside the area.
Lita turned provider for Reading's second goal 10 minutes later as he released Long, who darted past Jensen at the side of the box before smacking a volley into the net from an improbably acute angle.
Convey, making his first appearance since October, then delivered a ball into the box, which Lita took time to master before striking his shot against a Burnley defender.
Burnley had a half-chance towards half-time, when Akinbiyi's knock-back found Steve Jones. He mis-hit his shot straight to Noel-Williams, who was unable to make the most of the opportunity.
Reading added a third goal 10 minutes into the second half when Scott Golbourne, on his first start for the club, whipped in a cross which Sodje met with real determination.
Dave Kitson was then introduced for his first appearance since the opening day of the season and he shot wide after being found by Seol Ki-hyeon.
Burnley pulled one back on 69 minutes when Akinbiyi marked his first appearance since rejoining the club by beating Federici.
The Reading keeper then made a superb one-handed stop to deny Akinbiyi a second goal, and from the resulting corner held on to Kyle Lafferty's header.
Lafferty then nodded over another good opportunity from close range before O'Connor pounced in the final minute, only for Burnley to have no time to snaffle an equaliser.
Reading will now meet either Birmingham City or Newcastle United away from home in the fourth round.
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The Independent
Reading 3 Burnley 2: Reading thrive on the Long strategy
By Tim Collings
In the end, Burnley's stubborn refusal to give up turned this poorly attended contest at the Madejski Stadium last night into a closely fought Cup tie, but for most of the evening Reading, including nine reserves, seemed to be coasting towards a trip to Newcastle United or Birmingham City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Well-taken goals from Leroy Lita, Shane Long and Sam Sodje after 27, 37 and 55 minutes had eased Steve Coppell's Premiership team into a 3-0 lead before their Championship visitors, seeking a first win in seven games, hit back through Ade Akinbiyi, with 19 minutes remaining, and the substitute Garreth O'Connor, in added time. No home supporter could rest easy until the final whistle.
"I was pleased enough with our finishing, but we gave away three bad goals and our defending let us down. If we had defended properly, we might have won this game," said the disappointed Burnley manager, Steve Cotterill, afterwards. "I am sorry we are out of the Cup. They were bad goals from our view."
For Coppell, it was, of course, a different story. "We were loose, we left too many gaps when we were in possession," he said. "We had a few too many flowery displays. But that is to be expected, I think, with a team put together like that on the night and we had some things, too, that made me happy."
Coppell had made nine changes from the side that embarrassed West Ham United 6-0 in their last home fixture and there was an obvious lack of cohesion, particularly in defence, but in attack the Irish teenager Long, another Coppell find from Cork, made the most of the absence of his rested friend Kevin Doyle to show he, too, has the potential to succeed in England.
Long was swift, dangerous and quick-witted and his goal epitomised this. Collecting a long ball from Lita, he outpaced the advancing goalkeeper, Brian Jensen, but was forced wide to the right byline from where, with a twist, he fired the ball in off the far post.
Before that, Lita had scored with a crisp diagonal shot following a Long flick-on and when Sodje rose powerfully to thump a classic header past Jensen the contest appeared over. Not, however, for Burnley.
As Coppell withdrew Lita and then his captain, Ivar Ingimarsson, sending on Dave Kitson for his first showing since he sustained a knee injury on the opening day of the season, the Lancashire men fought back. Akinbiyi, who had wasted a clear opportunity when he allowed Adam Federici, Reading's third-choice goalkeeper, to make a spectacular save from his straightforward header, made amends when he lobbed the 21-year-old Australian. O'Connor then made the most of a close-range chance to give the result an unexpected hue.
Reading (4-4-2): Federici; De La Cruz, Ingimarsson (Pearce, 74), Sodje, Golbourne; Seol, Bikey, Oster, Convey; Long, Lita (Kitson, 60). Substitutes not used: Hahnemann, Hunt, Harper.
Burnley (4-4-2): Jensen; Foster, Thomas, McGreal, Harley; Elliott (G O'Connor, 85), J O'Connor, McCann, Jones (Mahon, 71); Akinbiyi, Noel-Williams (Lafferty, 71). Substitutes not used: Branch, Spicer.
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire)
Reading 3 Burnley 2: Reading thrive on the Long strategy
By Tim Collings
In the end, Burnley's stubborn refusal to give up turned this poorly attended contest at the Madejski Stadium last night into a closely fought Cup tie, but for most of the evening Reading, including nine reserves, seemed to be coasting towards a trip to Newcastle United or Birmingham City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Well-taken goals from Leroy Lita, Shane Long and Sam Sodje after 27, 37 and 55 minutes had eased Steve Coppell's Premiership team into a 3-0 lead before their Championship visitors, seeking a first win in seven games, hit back through Ade Akinbiyi, with 19 minutes remaining, and the substitute Garreth O'Connor, in added time. No home supporter could rest easy until the final whistle.
"I was pleased enough with our finishing, but we gave away three bad goals and our defending let us down. If we had defended properly, we might have won this game," said the disappointed Burnley manager, Steve Cotterill, afterwards. "I am sorry we are out of the Cup. They were bad goals from our view."
For Coppell, it was, of course, a different story. "We were loose, we left too many gaps when we were in possession," he said. "We had a few too many flowery displays. But that is to be expected, I think, with a team put together like that on the night and we had some things, too, that made me happy."
Coppell had made nine changes from the side that embarrassed West Ham United 6-0 in their last home fixture and there was an obvious lack of cohesion, particularly in defence, but in attack the Irish teenager Long, another Coppell find from Cork, made the most of the absence of his rested friend Kevin Doyle to show he, too, has the potential to succeed in England.
Long was swift, dangerous and quick-witted and his goal epitomised this. Collecting a long ball from Lita, he outpaced the advancing goalkeeper, Brian Jensen, but was forced wide to the right byline from where, with a twist, he fired the ball in off the far post.
Before that, Lita had scored with a crisp diagonal shot following a Long flick-on and when Sodje rose powerfully to thump a classic header past Jensen the contest appeared over. Not, however, for Burnley.
As Coppell withdrew Lita and then his captain, Ivar Ingimarsson, sending on Dave Kitson for his first showing since he sustained a knee injury on the opening day of the season, the Lancashire men fought back. Akinbiyi, who had wasted a clear opportunity when he allowed Adam Federici, Reading's third-choice goalkeeper, to make a spectacular save from his straightforward header, made amends when he lobbed the 21-year-old Australian. O'Connor then made the most of a close-range chance to give the result an unexpected hue.
Reading (4-4-2): Federici; De La Cruz, Ingimarsson (Pearce, 74), Sodje, Golbourne; Seol, Bikey, Oster, Convey; Long, Lita (Kitson, 60). Substitutes not used: Hahnemann, Hunt, Harper.
Burnley (4-4-2): Jensen; Foster, Thomas, McGreal, Harley; Elliott (G O'Connor, 85), J O'Connor, McCann, Jones (Mahon, 71); Akinbiyi, Noel-Williams (Lafferty, 71). Substitutes not used: Branch, Spicer.
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire)
Daily Mail
Reading charity left to the wives
By Matt Barlow
Reading 3 Burnley 2
Kevin Doyle has stunned the Premier League with his goalscoring exploits this season but last night was the chance for his fellow Irishman Shane Long to step out of his shadows and take a bow in the FA Cup.
Long was the makeweight in the £88,000 deal which brought Doyle to Reading from Cork City, 18 months ago.
He is not 20 until later this month and has been forced to settle for a bit-part role as the club impressed in their debut campaign in the top flight.
Steve Coppell appears to have unearthed another gem in the League or Ireland, judging from the contribution of Long, who helped a weakened Royals team navigate a tricky tie to clinch a fourth-round date away to Birmingham or Newcastle.
The teenage striker had a hand in the opener with a neat flick to Leroy Lita, who scored his eighth goal of the season, and then lit up the game with a brilliant second, which he lashed-in fiercely from what looked like an impossible angle. He is quick with a good touch and, like Doyle, has an eye for goal.
Sam Sodje grabbed an easy header for his first Reading goal before, at three-up, Coppell's men switched-off and invited a late comeback from the visitors.
Ade Akinbiyi pulled one back, 20 minutes from time, and Royals keeper Adam Federici made a series of superb saves before flapping at a cross to Clarets sub Garreth O'Connor to score in stoppage-time.
It was a scare for Coppell but he was pleased with his second-string, especially the debut of 21-year-old Federici and Long.
The Reading boss said: "Shane is quick and it's not just physical speed but also speed of thought and to execute his chance from that position is a great compliment to his ability. He is sharp and wants to make a career for himself.
"He hasn't had an apprenticeship and he does things differently. That can be fresh, not many people would have tried to score from that angle but he doesn't mind making mistakes."
The Madejski Stadium was less than half full with less than 12,000 turning out for the tie which had been washed-out, only ten minutes before kick-off on Saturday.
Reading had offered refunds and the phone-lines had been busy at the start of the week with those fans calling to take their money back. Coppell must take some of the blame. He is no longer seduced by the magic of the FA Cup and took the chance to give several senior players a breather after their impressive start to life in the Premiership.
He operated with the same policy in the cups last season, when his team were chasing promotion, often to the frustration of his own players who wanted to savour a good run. Only two of the team who thrashed West Ham 6-0 on New Year's Day kept their places but Coppell's policy paid dividends. He was also able to welcome back Bobby Convey and Dave Kitson from injury.
Convey hit a post in the fourth minute after being played through by Long but Federici was busy at the other end, saving well from Wade Elliott and Gifton Noel-Williams.
Akinbiyi, starting his second spell at Burnley after his £750,000 return to the club from Sheffield United, almost struck in the 19th minute.
He was totally unmarked in front of goal when Steve Jones swerved a left-wing cross onto his head but was unable to direct his header down, allowing Federici to make a spectacular sav flying to his left.
Akinbiyi shook Federici by the hand but the miss looked costly, nine minutes later, when Lita opened the scoring with his fourth goal in as many games.
Long glanced a long pass from Ulises de la Cruz into Lita's path and the England under-21 striker twisted between two defenders before driving a right-footer into the corner.
Lita then became provider when he turned the Burnley back-four with a long pass to Long, who beat keeper Jensen in a dash to the ball. The Irishman's touch took him wide into an angle which looked too acute but he squeezed in a stunning finish.
Sodje made it three from a Scott Golbourne cross, soon after the break, but Burnley refused to fold and Akinbiyi gave them hope when he finally beat Federici with a lob.
The young Reading keeper thwarted Akinbiyi again and Kyle Lafferty and Alan Mahon missed a late chance before Federici flapped at a cross and allowed sub O'Connor to score in stoppage-time.
Clarets boss Steve Cotterill said: "If we had taken our chances we could have gone on to win this game 5-3, maybe more. It was a spirited fightback but it was a bit late in the day. We needed another goal with 10 minutes to go and maybe we could have forced a replay. But we gave away three poor goals. Our defending cost us."
READING (4-4-2): Federici; De La Cruz, Ingimarsson (Pearce 74min), Sodje, Golbourne; Seol, Oster, Bikey, Convey; Long, Lita (Kitson 60). Booked: Bikey.
Scorers: Lita 27, Long 37, Sodje 55.
BURNLEY (4-4-2): Jensen; Foster, Thomas, McGreal, Harley; Elliott (G O’Connor 84), McCann, J O’Connor, Jones (Mahon 70); Noel-Williams (Lafferty 70), Akinbiyi. Booked: McGreal.
Scorers: Akinbiyi 69, G O’Connor 90.
Man of the match: Shane Long.
Referee: Rob Styles.
Reading charity left to the wives
By Matt Barlow
Reading 3 Burnley 2
Kevin Doyle has stunned the Premier League with his goalscoring exploits this season but last night was the chance for his fellow Irishman Shane Long to step out of his shadows and take a bow in the FA Cup.
Long was the makeweight in the £88,000 deal which brought Doyle to Reading from Cork City, 18 months ago.
He is not 20 until later this month and has been forced to settle for a bit-part role as the club impressed in their debut campaign in the top flight.
Steve Coppell appears to have unearthed another gem in the League or Ireland, judging from the contribution of Long, who helped a weakened Royals team navigate a tricky tie to clinch a fourth-round date away to Birmingham or Newcastle.
The teenage striker had a hand in the opener with a neat flick to Leroy Lita, who scored his eighth goal of the season, and then lit up the game with a brilliant second, which he lashed-in fiercely from what looked like an impossible angle. He is quick with a good touch and, like Doyle, has an eye for goal.
Sam Sodje grabbed an easy header for his first Reading goal before, at three-up, Coppell's men switched-off and invited a late comeback from the visitors.
Ade Akinbiyi pulled one back, 20 minutes from time, and Royals keeper Adam Federici made a series of superb saves before flapping at a cross to Clarets sub Garreth O'Connor to score in stoppage-time.
It was a scare for Coppell but he was pleased with his second-string, especially the debut of 21-year-old Federici and Long.
The Reading boss said: "Shane is quick and it's not just physical speed but also speed of thought and to execute his chance from that position is a great compliment to his ability. He is sharp and wants to make a career for himself.
"He hasn't had an apprenticeship and he does things differently. That can be fresh, not many people would have tried to score from that angle but he doesn't mind making mistakes."
The Madejski Stadium was less than half full with less than 12,000 turning out for the tie which had been washed-out, only ten minutes before kick-off on Saturday.
Reading had offered refunds and the phone-lines had been busy at the start of the week with those fans calling to take their money back. Coppell must take some of the blame. He is no longer seduced by the magic of the FA Cup and took the chance to give several senior players a breather after their impressive start to life in the Premiership.
He operated with the same policy in the cups last season, when his team were chasing promotion, often to the frustration of his own players who wanted to savour a good run. Only two of the team who thrashed West Ham 6-0 on New Year's Day kept their places but Coppell's policy paid dividends. He was also able to welcome back Bobby Convey and Dave Kitson from injury.
Convey hit a post in the fourth minute after being played through by Long but Federici was busy at the other end, saving well from Wade Elliott and Gifton Noel-Williams.
Akinbiyi, starting his second spell at Burnley after his £750,000 return to the club from Sheffield United, almost struck in the 19th minute.
He was totally unmarked in front of goal when Steve Jones swerved a left-wing cross onto his head but was unable to direct his header down, allowing Federici to make a spectacular sav flying to his left.
Akinbiyi shook Federici by the hand but the miss looked costly, nine minutes later, when Lita opened the scoring with his fourth goal in as many games.
Long glanced a long pass from Ulises de la Cruz into Lita's path and the England under-21 striker twisted between two defenders before driving a right-footer into the corner.
Lita then became provider when he turned the Burnley back-four with a long pass to Long, who beat keeper Jensen in a dash to the ball. The Irishman's touch took him wide into an angle which looked too acute but he squeezed in a stunning finish.
Sodje made it three from a Scott Golbourne cross, soon after the break, but Burnley refused to fold and Akinbiyi gave them hope when he finally beat Federici with a lob.
The young Reading keeper thwarted Akinbiyi again and Kyle Lafferty and Alan Mahon missed a late chance before Federici flapped at a cross and allowed sub O'Connor to score in stoppage-time.
Clarets boss Steve Cotterill said: "If we had taken our chances we could have gone on to win this game 5-3, maybe more. It was a spirited fightback but it was a bit late in the day. We needed another goal with 10 minutes to go and maybe we could have forced a replay. But we gave away three poor goals. Our defending cost us."
READING (4-4-2): Federici; De La Cruz, Ingimarsson (Pearce 74min), Sodje, Golbourne; Seol, Oster, Bikey, Convey; Long, Lita (Kitson 60). Booked: Bikey.
Scorers: Lita 27, Long 37, Sodje 55.
BURNLEY (4-4-2): Jensen; Foster, Thomas, McGreal, Harley; Elliott (G O’Connor 84), McCann, J O’Connor, Jones (Mahon 70); Noel-Williams (Lafferty 70), Akinbiyi. Booked: McGreal.
Scorers: Akinbiyi 69, G O’Connor 90.
Man of the match: Shane Long.
Referee: Rob Styles.
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The Mirror
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=long-shot-for-the-cup-%26method=full%26objectid=18432647%26siteid=94762-name_page.html
READING 3-2 BURNLEY
The FA CUP Third Round:
Mike Walters
BARGAIN hunts were given a bad name by perma-tanned clowns flogging antique tat on the box - but Steve Coppell has turned it into an art form.
When Reading manager Coppell went shopping in Ireland to sign striker Kevin Doyle from Cork City, he loaded up his trolley at the checkout and decided to buy 19-year-old Shane Long for good measure.
And at £80,000 the pair, he has pulled a transfer coup to make the Premiership's billionaire sugar daddies green with envy after Long inspired patchwork Reading to make short work of Burnley at the Madejski Stadium last night.
Despite a late wobble, Long's second goal of the season, brilliantly-executed when the geometry was stacked against him, was the defining moment of a largely fluent performance from Coppell's second string.
Earlier Leroy Lita had given Reading the lead, while Sam Sodje added a third before Ade Akinbiyi and Garreth O'Connor replied late on for battling Burnley. Hats off to the Clarets' fans who pitched up on Saturday, after a 460-mile round trip, only to be confronted by a Berkshire paddy-field - and then made the long trek south again.
Between them, Clarets diehards have left more carbon footprints this week than a Prime Minister's long haul flight.
Within four minutes of his first start since October, American striker Bobby rattled the visitors' woodwork with a first-time shot.
Reading nine changes from the starting XI who humiliated West Ham 6-0 on New Year's Day - and they nearly went behind. Wade Elliott and Gifton Noel-Williams squandered yawning opportunities to put the Championship side in front after 11 minutes and Akinbiyi marked his second coming at Burnley by missing his first chance.
Akinbiyi met Jon Harley's left-wing cross with a firm header.
But unsurprisingly for a player who had only scored two FA Cup goals before last night, his effort was brilliantly parried by Reading's Aussie keeper Adam Federici, 21, who was making his debut.
His miss looked even more expensive when Lita, who plundered a hat-trick in the third round against West Brom last season, put the home side ahead. Lita's bright yellow boots constituted a colour clash with Burnley's away strip, but that was no excuse for the space he was afforded to bury Long's headed pass low past Brian Jensen's right hand.
It was his fourth goal in as many games, a purple patch in which Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham had fallen prey to old Banana Boots.
In the radioactive contest between Lita and Akinbiyi's fluorescent footwear, the Reading striker just scored higher marks on the Geiger counter. But in terms of end product, Lita was vastly superior - and eight minutes before the break he turned provider for Long to make it 2-0 from the tightest of angles with an emphatic finish after rounding Jensen. "Are you West Ham in disguise?" taunted home fans in the sparsely-populated stands - and, in fairness, when you've seen one claret-and-blue shambles, you've seen them all.
Long, who has scored 11 goals for Reading's reserves as well as six for the first team this season, continued to trouble Burnley with his pace and mobility after the break.
Veteran defender John McGreal resorted to hacking him down, at the expense of a booking, four minutes after the restart as Reading, now facing a stiff headwind, breezed through.
Sodje's header made it 3-0 from Scott Golbourne's left-wing cross, and although Burnley went trough the motions of a fightback, their poor finishing underlined the gulf in class.
With one victory in their 10 previous games, Steve Cotterill's men were looking for a change of fortune in their first game of 2007. To their credit, the Clarets never threw in the towel and Akinbiyi was rewarded for his persistence after 69 minutes when he lobbed Federici expertly from 20 yards.
And in injury time O'Connor tapped in for Burnley's second.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=long-shot-for-the-cup-%26method=full%26objectid=18432647%26siteid=94762-name_page.html
READING 3-2 BURNLEY
The FA CUP Third Round:
Mike Walters
BARGAIN hunts were given a bad name by perma-tanned clowns flogging antique tat on the box - but Steve Coppell has turned it into an art form.
When Reading manager Coppell went shopping in Ireland to sign striker Kevin Doyle from Cork City, he loaded up his trolley at the checkout and decided to buy 19-year-old Shane Long for good measure.
And at £80,000 the pair, he has pulled a transfer coup to make the Premiership's billionaire sugar daddies green with envy after Long inspired patchwork Reading to make short work of Burnley at the Madejski Stadium last night.
Despite a late wobble, Long's second goal of the season, brilliantly-executed when the geometry was stacked against him, was the defining moment of a largely fluent performance from Coppell's second string.
Earlier Leroy Lita had given Reading the lead, while Sam Sodje added a third before Ade Akinbiyi and Garreth O'Connor replied late on for battling Burnley. Hats off to the Clarets' fans who pitched up on Saturday, after a 460-mile round trip, only to be confronted by a Berkshire paddy-field - and then made the long trek south again.
Between them, Clarets diehards have left more carbon footprints this week than a Prime Minister's long haul flight.
Within four minutes of his first start since October, American striker Bobby rattled the visitors' woodwork with a first-time shot.
Reading nine changes from the starting XI who humiliated West Ham 6-0 on New Year's Day - and they nearly went behind. Wade Elliott and Gifton Noel-Williams squandered yawning opportunities to put the Championship side in front after 11 minutes and Akinbiyi marked his second coming at Burnley by missing his first chance.
Akinbiyi met Jon Harley's left-wing cross with a firm header.
But unsurprisingly for a player who had only scored two FA Cup goals before last night, his effort was brilliantly parried by Reading's Aussie keeper Adam Federici, 21, who was making his debut.
His miss looked even more expensive when Lita, who plundered a hat-trick in the third round against West Brom last season, put the home side ahead. Lita's bright yellow boots constituted a colour clash with Burnley's away strip, but that was no excuse for the space he was afforded to bury Long's headed pass low past Brian Jensen's right hand.
It was his fourth goal in as many games, a purple patch in which Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham had fallen prey to old Banana Boots.
In the radioactive contest between Lita and Akinbiyi's fluorescent footwear, the Reading striker just scored higher marks on the Geiger counter. But in terms of end product, Lita was vastly superior - and eight minutes before the break he turned provider for Long to make it 2-0 from the tightest of angles with an emphatic finish after rounding Jensen. "Are you West Ham in disguise?" taunted home fans in the sparsely-populated stands - and, in fairness, when you've seen one claret-and-blue shambles, you've seen them all.
Long, who has scored 11 goals for Reading's reserves as well as six for the first team this season, continued to trouble Burnley with his pace and mobility after the break.
Veteran defender John McGreal resorted to hacking him down, at the expense of a booking, four minutes after the restart as Reading, now facing a stiff headwind, breezed through.
Sodje's header made it 3-0 from Scott Golbourne's left-wing cross, and although Burnley went trough the motions of a fightback, their poor finishing underlined the gulf in class.
With one victory in their 10 previous games, Steve Cotterill's men were looking for a change of fortune in their first game of 2007. To their credit, the Clarets never threw in the towel and Akinbiyi was rewarded for his persistence after 69 minutes when he lobbed Federici expertly from 20 yards.
And in injury time O'Connor tapped in for Burnley's second.
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