Reading goal hero Trevor Morley may be on the verge of achieving his
greatest ambition appearing in a Wembley final.
The former Manchester City and West Ham striker popped up with five
minutes remaining at Elland Road to secure a Coca-Cola Cup
quarter-final place for only the second time in Reading's history.
Carl Asaba and Martin Williams were the other goalscorers as the Royals
shocked the Premiership's fifth-placed side Leeds by coming from behind
to win 3-2.
"I was just joking in the changing room that I could get the chance to go
to Wembley now," said Morley. "So you never know."
But the 36-year-old refused the plaudits and offered his own words of
praise to manager Terry Bullivant and his team-mates.
"It was a great team performance and the credit for that must go to the
manager as he gave us belief at half-time. He told us we could improve on
our first-half display."
Bullivant himself lauded his striker, who has struggled with injuries during
his two seasons with the Elm Park club.
Morley had head and knee injuries which kept him on the sidelines for 12
months but refused to be bowed an attribute Bullivant greatly appreciates.
"I've been in the game for quite a long time and don't think I have met a
better professional," the Reading boss said.
"He's unique, isn't he? He doesn't miss training now he's fit. He's a great
competitor and the lads love him.
"He'll make Carl Asaba and Martin Williams even better players than they
are. They must learn from him.
"In the last 20 minutes, Carl looked the player he can be. He was holding
the ball up and is learning that from Trevor Morley.
"Martin Williams was marvellous. But Trevor scoring in open play was
great as he thoroughly deserved it."
Bullivant used a three-pronged attack to embarrass Leeds a decision
which eventually paid dividends for the Berkshire club.
"With the new ruling where there must be a result on the night, there was
no point in us coming here and just defending. We went out to win and
luckily it worked. On other nights it won't work so let's bask in it for a
while. We deserved to win in the end."
Bullivant has no preferences in the next round, as long as Reading gain
"Let's give the supporters someone at home as those who travelled to
Leeds were terrific," said Bullivant. "Let's hope more can be at a home
game. And at Elm Park on a floodlit night, we can give anyone a fair old
game."
In their last league outing, Leeds came back from a three-goal deficit to
beat Derby but Bullivant believes his team did not have time to fret about
such statistics.
"I don't think we had enough time to worry about it, to be honest. It went
quite quickly," he said.
"I thought once Ray Houghton started to get a bit of space, things started
to open up a bit for us. So we didn't have enough time to worry you
worry when you're going home after being beaten 6-0!".
(19th Nov. 1997)
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Lets Hope For A Good Home Tie
Reading chairman John Madejski is hoping for a home draw in the next
round of the Coca-Cola Cup following the Royals shock win over Leeds
at Elland Road.
Trevor Morley's late goal saw Reading beat the Premiership club 3-2 a
win manager Terry Bullivant said was the best result of his career.
Madejski said: "It was a great night one of the best ever. Now we have to
hope for the right draw in the next round." (19th Nov. 1997)
Suspended
Micheal Meaker has received a 3 match suspension starting on
November 18th. The Royals will have to do without the striker
in the upcoming matches against Ipswich, Stoke, and Chatlton.
Houghton Returns With A Royal Welcome
Reading manager Terry Bullivant hopes to have player-coach Ray
Houghton available to him for the Coca-Cola Cup fourth round match
against Reading.
Houghton has been nursing an injury, but played the second half of the
Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off match in Belgium.
If fit, Houghton will come straight back into the centre of midfield, while
Carl Asaba has shown no reaction to his hamstring problems and should
play. (17th Nov. 1997)
Terry Is Still Seeing Hope
Reading manager Terry Bullivant was a happy man despite seeing his side
suffer their second defeat in three games as they lost 1-0 at
bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield.
Paul Dalton scored the only goal of the game in the 74th minute but
Bullivant said: "We are not far away from being good side.
"We created a lot of chances and on another day we might have had three
or four. I can't be unhappy at the team's performance." (16th Nov. 1997)
Royals Are In The Red
Reading chairman John Madejski will tell shareholders next month that the
club made a loss of £533,000 in its last financial year on a turnover of
£3.3million.
"That's an improvement of £359,000 over the previous year and
demonstrates that we are moving in the right direction," he said.
When the report and accounts are published they are expected to show
that Madejski has loaned Reading £1.5 million and when interest is added
is now owed more than £2million by the club.
"We need to generate additional revenue to make Reading Football Club
profitable and that's why our move to the new Madejski Stadium next
season is so important," he said.
"Although it's sad that we are leaving Elm Park after 102 years the new
stadium will generate many opportunities for us to generate additional
commercial income." (14th Nov. 1997)
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Snow Jobed
I'm not a person who talks about the weather much but last night and
today it hasn't stopped snowing. We've have had nearly a foot of the
white stuff.
Anyway tomorrows game looks like a sure win. It's also a must win game
to prove that they got what it takes to stay up. The Royals have beaten
some tough teams but when it comes down to playing the bottom club they
have no clue. Even though Huddersfield have had a bit of a run recently
and it might br time for a loss. The game is tomorrow so see you there.
(14th Nov. 1997)
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Primus Pays Tribute to Fellow Defenders
Reading star Linvoy Primus has paid tribute to his fellow defenders for
helping him settle in at Elm Park after winning the club's October player of
the month award.
Primus, 24, said: "Playing and training alongside Keith McPherson and
Dariusz Wdowczyk has taught me a lot and they have been a great help
to me."
Reading are without player/coach Ray Houghton for the match at
Huddersfield on Saturday because of international duty. (14th Nov. 1997)
Lovell and Hodges Set to Return
Royals striker Stuart Lovell has set his sights on a return to first team
action after making a successful comeback this week from injury after six
months out with a knee ligament problem.
Lovell, 25, who was expected to be sidelined until Christmas after being
injured in a reserve team game in April, made a successful comeback in
the reserves 3-2 victory against Welling United.
He said: "I was a bit nervous before the game but the injury is fine. I
suffered no adverse reaction and hope to be back in the team before too
long."
Lee Hodges, another one of Readings injured players has returned from injury and will
be ready to play on Saturday against Huddersfield Town. (12th Nov. 1997)
Morely Back On Form
Veteran striker Trevor Morley was hailed as a hero after scoring the goal
which earned Reading victory over Stockport at Elm Park.
It was Morley's first start since a knee operation in March and his
cooly-taken 40th minute penalty gave Reading a badly needed three
points.
Reading assistant boss Alan Harris said: "We needed a cool head - and
Trevor was fantastic." (9th Nov. 1997)
Bibbo Transfer Listed
Reading goalkeeper Sal Bibbo has been placed on the transfer list at his
own request.
Bibbo, 23, has become frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities
since the arrival of Steve Mautone at Elm Park.
He said: "I do like it at Reading but I'm at the stage where I need to get
some first team experience and the chances of doing that here are slim." (8th Nov. 1997)
Devine Bid Rejected
Reading have had a bid for Barnet striker Sean Devine turned down.
Former Bees manager Terry Bullivant, who has already returned to
Underhill for Linvoy Primus and Lee Hodges is keen to add Devine
whose 46 goals in 80 games has made him a target of Premierhsip clubs
to his improving squad. (7th Nov. 1997)
A End To The Unbeaten Run
Terry said he was disappointed that the Royals
had lost their nine-game unbeaten run with a 1-0 home defeat against
Sheffield United.
Bullivant's injury hit side gave a good account of themselves against a
strong Sheffield side but could not hit back after Mark Patterson's goal
early in the second half.
Reading boss said: "It is disappointing to lose a game at home but we
must take confidence from our run and pick ourselves up in time for the
next game." (5th Nov. 1997)
Terry Waits on Injurys
Manager Terry Bullivant said he was delighted his side has extended their
unbeaten run to nine games with a goalless draw at Port Vale.
The Royals turned in a gritty performance and Bullivant says he cannot
wait until his striking injury worries clear so the team can win more games.
He said: "We are waiting for one or two injuries to clear, but when
everyone is back fit I am sure we can turn these draws into wins." (2nd Nov. 1997)
