Relegation rivals Reading and Rotherham draw in the fight for survival

Reading welcomed Rotherham United to the Madejski Stadium in what had all the hallmarks of a relegation six pointer, with the two sides both in danger of getting cut adrift in their fight for survival.

The clubs were both stuck on 29 points entering the game, but Reading were hovering outside the relegation places due to their superior goal difference. The clash represented a must win game in their respective seasons. Reading boss Jose Gomes was under no illusions at the sheer necessity of getting the three points: 

“We know this is an important game that we must do everything to win.”

Jose Gomes highlighted the importance of the three points against Rotherham (Photo: UK News)

Reading headed into the match unbeaten in their last 16 home games against the Millers, a run stretching all the way back to 1977. With Rotherham winless on the road this season, it was the Royals who had the record books firmly in their favour.

However, after a famous rendition of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” prior to kick off, Rotherham were the ones who started the brighter. The away side instantly began utilising their direct style of play to hoist long throws and set pieces into the home side’s box.

Reading’s first attack of any note came after 12 minutes when a Yakou Meite break away down the right side fed John Swift to hit an ambitious strike 25 yards out but the former Chelsea man could only watch as it sailed over the bar.

In a tight and gritty affair, the hosts continued to grow into the game, dominating the ball but finding it difficult to break through a compact Rotherham, who were sitting in a defensive 5-4-1 system. The Millers seemed be relying on dead ball situations and long balls as a way of exploiting a fragile Reading defence.

On the half hour mark, Rotherham found themselves out of position as it was Reading who opened the scoring through a quick breakaway. Gareth McCleary found himself in space down the left flank before picking out Ovie Ejaria, who used the pace of the pass to hit a splendid first time shot into the far right corner, beating the by-standing goalkeeper Marek Rodak.

Buoyed from the goal, Reading continued to turn up the pressure through the goalscorer Ovie Ejaria dictating the play in the attacking third. With Reading supporters in full voice and momentum against them, Rotherham found it tricky to establish any sort of foothold in the match. In an aggressive first half, the away side lacked quality in the final third to create any opportunities of note.

Rotherham once again came out the traps the better as straight after the break their intent was almost rewarded. Richie Towell hit a ferocious half volley that appeared to be going goal-bound before a collective Reading effort managed to provide a vital block.

With time running out, the 763 supporters that made the trip down south along with the Rotherham players began to grow frustrated with referee Mr J Simpson awarding a numerous amount of free kicks to Reading as they attempted to halt the Millers ever-growing momentum. In the 70th minute, Jose Gomes brought on the veteran John O’shea in an obvious ploy to protect their lead.

Approaching the 80th minute mark, the Miller’s persistence paid off after defender Semi Ajayi went galloping forward and found himself on the end of a knockdown to bundle the ball into the back of the net from a couple of yards out.

The goal set up a frantic grandstand finish to the final ten minutes, as both teams threw caution to the wind in their search of the allusive three points.

Within the space of a few seconds, Reading had two glorious chances with striker Nelson Oliveira scuffing a first time finish from only a few yards out and Ovie Ejaria stinging the gloves of the Rotherham keeper not long after. Matt Miazga also went close for the home side as he found himself at the back post but his header went painstakingly wide.

In additional time, a Rotherham mistake in their own third allowed substitute Mo Barrow to round the goalkeeper before attempting to play the ball across the box to the onrushing Nelson Oliviera. In what seemed like time stood still, goalkeeper Marek Rodak managed to recover back towards his net and claw the ball off the line, getting there before the Portuguese striker’s boot.

The final whistle was met by a chorus of boos by the 15,958 in attendance at the Madejski as the home side threw away two points that could prove crucial at the end of the season.

The result leaves Reading and Rotherham in 21st and 22nd place respectively, in the same position they found themselves in at the beginning of the day. Both sides are four points off Millwall, who sit in 20th spot.