READING 0 CITY 4
FA Cup 3rd Round Replay
13th January 1993
attendance 12,065
scorers Sheron(3), Holden(32), Flitcroft(69), Quinn(72)
Ref R Gifford
City Coton, Reid, Phelan, Simpson, Curle, D Brightwell, White, Sheron, Quinn, Flitcroft, Holden – sub Vonk(72), Mike(unused)
Reading Francis, Gooding, Hopkins, McPherson, Williams, Holzman, Gilkes, Dillon, Quinn, Lambert, Taylor – subs Lovell(30), Barkus(73)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
CLIVE BASKERVILLE WRITING IN THE READING EVENING POST 14TH JANUARY 1993
Classy Manchester City wrecked Readings hopes of FA Cup glory last night with a slick display of finishing.
Only goalkeeper Steve Francis stood between Royals and a repeat of the 7-0 drubbing suffered in the third round 25 years ago.
Although Reading created enough chances to have scored at least twice, there was no denying that City were worthy winners.
The speed and quality of some of their approach work and the accuracy of their shooting was excellent.
Once Mike Sheron put City in front after only three minutes, Reading knew they were fighting a losing battle.
But perhaps the biggest blow was when defender Jeff Hopkins limped off on 30 minutes with a knee injury.
Afterwards manager Mark McGhee said the Welsh International’s absence was critical.
“It scuppered our tactics and left us weak at the back. City had more time and space to get the ball up to Niall Quinn and make things happen. Although we were beaten there was no shame losing to such a good side. Our younger players will learn something from these two games with City and be better for the experience.” The Premier League team wasted no time in stamping their authority on the game.
Francis had to save in the very first minute when Quinn had a free header at a Rick Holden corner.
Two minutes later City were in front.
David White left Mick Gooding trailing in his wake before supplying a perfect cross for Sheron, who had raced 50 yards to nod home.
James Lambert had a good opportunity to pull Royals level on 12 minutes after playing a one-two with Scott Taylor. But the teenage Starlet had his shot blocked by keeper Tony Coton.
Eight minutes later Coton made a hash of a clearance kick by stubbing it straight at Jimmy Quinn. However the Northern Ireland striker failed to get any power behind his 25 yard attempt and Coton scrambled back to save.
On 22 minutes, Francis had to move smartly to tip a Niall Quinn header over from Holden’s cross.
It was Holden who scored a brilliant goal 10 minutes afterwards as Royals were still trying to regroup following the loss of Hopkins. The 28 year old winger made a neat turn on the halfway line and weaved his way through the defence before slotting the ball wide of Francis.
Although Fitzroy Simpson was booked for a late tackle on Lambert after 41 minutes there’s little doubt City were clearly superior in the half.
Michael Gilkes, who had a quiet first period, came alive after the break. He took Garry Flitcroft on down the flank and crossed into the area where Quinn and Lambert fluffed their chances.
On 58 minutes came a double miss by substitute Stuart Lovell from Gilkes’s cross and a Quinn nod down. His left foot volley was superbly saved by Coton and he lobbed the rebound over the bar as Keith Curle challenged.
The energetic Terry Phelan was within a whisker of scoring for City on 61 minutes. The left back made a probing run into the box before having his shot deflected off Williams and against the inside of a post. Francis scooped the ball away for a corner as Quinn challenged.
Phelan was in The thick of it again eight minutes later before Sheron played Flitcroft through to shoot home the third.
Taylor the hero of the first march, missed a sitter on 70 minutes when he pushed a right foot shot wide from 12 yards after Gooding and Lovell had combined.
City grabbed their fourth just two minutes later when a Flitcroft pass set up Quinn to slot home.
The busy Francis pulled off a stunning save on 85 minutes acrobatically tipping over Whites header.
A minute later it was Coton’s turn to tip over as Gilkes tried his luck.