View From The Dolan: Turfed Out Of The Cup

Ben recounts Saturday’s cup exit, on a freezing Berkshire afternoon, at the hands of Championship Burnley.

As I’ve said before, I like the FA Cup. Another home tie - against a Burnley side pretty much destined for top-flight football next season - stood in our way of a fourth-round fixture.

Heading into the match, it was hard to be too optimistic given the gulf in quality of both teams. Our squad has already worked its socks off and, if you spoke to most Reading fans, they’d tell they’d rather get promoted than win the cup. And yet, heading into this game, both were still a possibility… technically!

As with previous rounds, only one stand was due to be open. On the day of the game, the Dolan was partially opened to accommodate growing numbers through the turnstiles and, given that this was neither the hottest ticket nor a major priority for the club as a whole, it was good to see a healthy turnout for the fixture.

Having arrived in my seat at 2.13pm (I know, far too keen for my own good), I wasn’t privy to the goings-on outside the ground in terms of the reported queues and general human chaos outside the SJM. What I would say is that this has happened a few times this season and not just for cup games. Only a few weeks ago I had to queue to get through Gate 5 (which, to my memory, had never happened there before).

The club did warn people to get there early to avoid such carnage, but the issue here of course is that the fans are paying customers. I did understand the decision to open only one turnstile for the Fleetwood Town game. I didn’t like it, but from a cost-saving exercise, it did make sense.

The club really have to weigh up how much they are losing from people not coming back to games as a result of these issues. For example, if you have people that hardly come, showed up to this game and got caught up in the lengthy queues, are they likely to come back anytime soon? Yes, the club would have taken their £15 (for an advanced adult ticket), but could they be losing out on more funds moving forward?

I don’t have the answer and I’m not sure what the fault was, but the issue with Gate 5 against Blackpool was due to “software issues” with the turnstiles. Whatever the problem, it does needs sorting as the numbers heading through said turnstiles will dwindle further in future.

On the pitch, the team was a mixed bag in terms of recent minutes and experience. Tivonge Rushesha, Kelvin Abrefa and Abraham Kanu came into the team alongside mainstays such as Sam Smith, Charlie Savage and Lewis Wing.

The problem I have with these games (and the only problem, really) is that, in previous years, we’d field a team of fringe players who were desperate for the minutes and an opportunity to impress. Realistically, most of the starting 11 are in and around the squad anyway, so the emphasis on really pushing the envelope in these games becomes a sticking point.

That’s not to say there wasn’t effort - there was. Listen, Burnley were a good side: technically very able, mentally pretty calm and overall deserved the win.

We started badly, like really badly. Burnley had a number of opportunities to take the lead and should have been at least three up within the first 20 minutes. After they hit the post, we woke up a little and began growing into the game. There wasn’t much control or direct chances for us, but to get to the break at 0-0 was a good outcome from a very nervous start.

After half-time, we were the team on top. Clear-cut chances again were at a premium for us but, slightly against the run of play, the visitors poked home the opener. Lyle Foster was one of three players literally in a line waiting to score and he was the first to it.

Wing then equalised six minutes later from a speculative effort that went right through Hladky in goal. At this point, the draw was very much deserved and, had this been a league game, we’d have been happy with the point against a superior side. The game flowed nicely from that point with both teams looking for the winner, but with few clear efforts on goal from either side.

Extra-time followed, surrounded by collective groans from the crowd who were no doubt questioning their choice not to wear extra socks (I did and I was very smug with myself).

Just before the commencement of the extra 30, I saw a chap come back up the steps clutching a coffee and at least eight milk sachets. I’d assumed the concourse was shut but clearly not (unless he had someone on the inside). His choice baffled me: why would you buy a hot beverage and then cool it down as much as possible with all the milk? Didn’t make sense.

Both benches looked to change the course of the game and Burnley’s Zian Flemming took matters into his own hands shortly after coming on, bagging a brace in nine minutes. After his second and Burnley’s third went in, a mass exodus occurred as the home fans headed for the exits and, I guess, warmth.

I can’t imagine anyone is hugely disappointed by being knocked out at this stage. We gave it a good go in the competition, definitely got our money’s worth in terms of minutes and goals and ultimately learnt some things over the three games (mainly that we never, ever want to see non-league teams again). The club will be able to do some learning from this too: ticket prices, game organisation and overall fan experience are, I’m sure, top of the agenda.

As it is now, we are back to normal league action for the remainder of a season that might yet end in glory. The fact we are still dreaming heading into mid-January - and with the off-field issues still rumbling on - is a minor miracle in itself.

Stockport County await us on the next match day and that’s one not to be missed. Have a good week, stay warm and we’ll see you next Saturday.

Until next time.