Best away wins?

Last night's performance got me to thinking: what have been the best away wins of the Madejski Stadium era (OK, that sounds a bit like an oxymoron but you know what I mean!)?. After the game a caller to Radio Berkshire recalled that fine victory almost exactly 10 years when we went to Wallsall, who were flying high in Division Two (old money), and against all the odds came away with a 2-0 win, courtesy of Martyn Williams and Grant 'History Maker' Brebner. The shock of this result was compounded by the fact that we were on an amazing run of 15 away defeats! So what are those other famous away victories since 1998? Winning at Bradford with ten men in 2003 maybe? Um, maybe not. The immensely satisfying defeat of West Ham in the first season in the Premier League? Or maybe easing past Manchester City at Eastlands? There were certainly a few during the record-breaking season. One thing is for sure, last night's will stand out as something special - but we have to build on it now.

Fabulous Reading break away duck in style

Reading looked every inch the class act as they thumped league leaders Wolves by three goals to nil at Molineux. A goalkeeping error gifted the Royals the opening goal after 5 minutes, Bikey headed in from close range to make it two after an hour and Kalifa Cisse applied the coup de grace late on. Reading were fine value for their first away win of the season: they passed the ball well and defended with composure, Ivar leading by example but Liam Rosenior was also superb and is really beginning to look like a quality player. Kebe caused problems all night and both Jem Karacan and Bryn will be giving SC food for thought in midfield, especially with Marek in training again.

What a superb result. We are now just 5 points behind Wolves and trail Bongo FC by 3. Bring on Burnley!!

Irish treble for Royals as Swans are sunk

Four Goals from the Royals' Irish contingent of the Brothers Hunt and Kevin Doyle ensured an easy victory in the autumn sunshine against Swansea City. A dominant first half display saw the Royals coast to a 3-0 lead with some assured and attractive football. It was always going to be tricky to keep the momentum going with the game effectively won, and so it proved to be true as the Welsh side played the better football in the second half, though their only chance of note was a free kick that struck the bar. Noel opened the scoring with a sweet header from a corner, Doyle made it two with a close range effort and Stephen Hunt slotted home the third after good work opened up the Swansea defence once again. Doyle finished well for his second late on after some good interplay through the middle.

So the excellent home form continues, and we must hope that this is the confidence booster we need to improve our fortunes on the road. We'll need to be at our best because we go to Molineux on Tuesday night; Wolves are in outstanding form and although we have moved up to third in the table, we are trailing them by 8 points, and a defeat would make it 11 points. That's a hefty deficit so early on in the season.