Noel Hunt is excited for Reading’s last game of the Sky Bet League One season with the Royals remaining in the mix for a play-off place.
Hunt’s team have lost only once in their last eight games on the road and they weathered a storm at the Memorial Stadium to eventually see off Bristol Rovers 2-0 and stay in the chase for the top six.
Reading will try to leapfrog Leyton Orient in the table to finish the campaign in the final play-off spot, and the manager picked out his goalkeeper for praise for helping put the club in that position.
“It was a tough game. To be fair to Bristol Rovers they gave it everything, they really did,” said Hunt.
“We needed Joel [Pereira] to make a couple of saves, not more than the one at a set-play in the second half – it was a great header, it was an equally good save.
“We had a team performance. The way we dug in and defended when we had to as a team, everyone, I thought we were really good.
“We spoke at half-time about keep working the ball and switching the play and we knew that chance would come – and it did and it fell to Lewis Wing. Great finish and we were comfortable after that.”
Of his goalkeeper – who made five good saves to preserve a clean sheet – Hunt added: “That’s what he’s there for. He’s been brilliant. We love him to bits. He’s buzzing, delighted for him.”
Bristol Rovers head coach Inigo Calderon was despondent as Rovers lost an eighth game in nine League One matches.
Lewis Wing’s eighth league goal of the season after 67 minutes and Chem Campbell’s added-time effort leaves the Pirates staring at relegation
“Something is not working,” he explained. “The first hour I was really happy with the performance – it was not easy to perform that way after the last defeat.
“I asked the boys to again show passion against a difficult team. And the first hour I think we did that. We were better than them and we had more chances. But we didn’t score and then they score, and we are not strong enough to come back from that.
“Today was not the problem [if Rovers are relegated]. You have 44 games – if we were in this situation it’s obvious we did something bad.”
Oliver Glasner conceded that Crystal Palace were at least mathematically more likely to secure their first major silverware after they booked their place in the FA Cup final with a 3-0 triumph over Aston Villa at Wembley.Ismaila Sarr recorded a second-half brace after Eberechi Eze opened the scoring in the 31st minute, though the winning margin could have been even greater had Jean-Philippe Mateta...
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson commended his side for making history after they completed a hat-trick of promotions to seal a place in the second tier.Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat of Charlton means the hosts have now sealed their third promotion in as many seasons.The Red Dragons started brighter and had a two-goal lead inside the opening 18 minutes.Ollie Rathbone found the back of the net first ...
Hearts have parted company with head coach Neil Critchley following Saturday’s 1-0 home loss to Dundee.Critchley had been in the job for six months, succeeding Steven Naismith in October.His and assistant Mike Garrity’s departure comes with the Jambos having claimed only one point from their last four William Hill Premiership matches as well as losing out in the semi-final of the Scott...
Southend moved into the National League play-off places with a 3-0 home win over a Wealdstone outfit now lying in the relegation zone.Ben Goodliffe headed the Shrimpers in front in the eighth minute, connecting with Gus Scott-Morriss’ cross, and Charley Kendall doubled the advantage with a strike just past the hour mark.Goodliffe almost scored again in the 83rd minute as he saw another heade...
Ismaila Sarr scored two second-half goals as Crystal Palace booked their place in the FA Cup final for a third time following a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Wembley.Eberechi Eze opened the scoring with a lovely finish in the 31st minute – assisted by Sarr – but a missed penalty from Jean-Philippe Mateta after the restart added extra drama in the second half.Ollie Watkins started for...
Sam Smith inspired Wrexham to a 3-0 win over Charlton as they confirmed their third promotion in a row, sealing a place in the Championship in front of Hollywood owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.The hosts took an early lead through Ollie Rathbone, who struck first time from the edge of the box in the 16th minute and found the bottom corner.The Welsh side doubled their advantage two minutes ...
Ian Holloway hopes Swindon and Gillingham can put their bad blood behind them after their feisty 1-1 draw.There is an old storied rivalry between the two clubs and there were handbags late on, which resulted in Joe Gbode’s late sending off.Gbode put the hosts in front before Will Wright levelled with a brilliant free-kick six minutes later.Gillingham ended the game with nine men after Gbode ...
Steve Bruce was left fuming after “the worst penalty decision I’ve seen in a long time” denied the Blackpool boss what could have been a winning return to former club Wigan as an entertaining game ended 1-1.Wigan led from the fourth minute, when Jon Mellish’s left-wing delivery somehow crept in at the near post past an embarrassed Harry Tyrer in the Blackpool goal.However, ...
Bromley boss Andy Woodman hailed his players’ never-say-die attitude after their thrilling 3-3 draw at Barrow.The visitors came from behind three times as Michael Cheek, Nicke Kabamba – his first for the club – and Omar Sowunmi’s stoppage-time leveller cancelled out Ben Whitfield’s penalty and efforts from Isaac Fletcher and Elliot Newby.“It was an end-of-season...
Burton boss Gary Bowyer remains grounded as his side moved to the brink of League One safety and relegated Cambridge with a last gasp 2-1 victory.Dylan Williams bagged his first league goal in added on time to push the Brewers to within a point of safety although their superior goal difference over Crawley and Bristol Rovers makes them overwhelming favourites to survive.“It was a win that sy...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 3 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 4 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 5 Liverpool interested in signing Mason Greenwood
- 6 Andy Carroll and girlfriend put on loved-up display on holiday
- 7 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 8 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 9 Conor Gallagher's girlfriend dazzles on red carpet as stars gather in Madrid
- 10 Liverpool join race to sign attacker Jeremy Monga