By Chris Wright
After a goalless first leg, in-form Reading did the business across the border last night to deny/spare us (delete as applicable) an all-Welsh play-off final at Wembley in a fortnight’s time – soundly beating Cardiff 3-0 on the Bluebird’s own patch.
Shane Long opened the scoring for the Royals, capitalising on Stephen Bywater’s cloudy-minded clearance to loop the ball into an open goal, before putting his side two-nil up from the spot after Dekel Keinan blatantly wrestled Matt Mills to the ground on the stroke of half-time.
Jobi McAnuff then completed the evening’s scoring for Reading, paring through the Cardiff defense at a fair old kilter before careening a low shot past the helpless Bywater.
Musical highlights…
http://youtu.be/XKHvsC3kD9s
Photos…
The Reading players huddle before kick-off
Stephen Bywater looks on after his calamitous cock-up allowed Shane Long to put Reading ahead
Shane Long puts Reading two-nil up from the penalty spot
Noel Hunt brings the ball under control
Noel Hunt blasts the ball into the back of the net again as Jobi McAnuff wheels away in celebration
Jobi McAnuff is mobbed by his teammates after rounding out the scoring
Reading’s Ian Harte is met by a barrage of inflatables as he makes his way over to the touchline
Police escort two fans from the pitch after the final whistle
Reading manager Brian McDermott applauds the travelling support
Jobi McAnuff celebrates after the final whistle
Photos: PA.