Although Jason Eaton's 90th minute goal was only a consolation, it gave the scoreline a look which more accurately reflected the game, and showed how Yeovil battled on throughout the game against the League side.
The highest FA Cup crowd of the day (thanks largely to a large and noisy away support), saw Reading go on the attack from the start. They had free run of the midfield, giving them a large amount of the possession, but they created little from it initially. The first shot on target went to Yeovil, but Chris Sparks' volley wasn't struck quite well enough to worry Phil Whitehead.
The Yeovil central defence, Matt Stowell in particular, were strong in the first half, but there was a breakthrough just after the half-hour mark; Tony Pennock punched a cross clear for the ball to fall to Reading full-back Andy Bernal, not a prolific scorer, but his volley was on target and beat Pennock who probably felt he should have done better.
A minute later and it was nearly two, but a great intercept from Kevan Brown denied Keith Scott, and soon after the scores were level. Jamie Pitman's free-kick was knocked goalwards, and Adrian Foster got to the ball before Whitehead to knock it in from close-range.
Yeovil started the second half attacking, and played more of a passing game than in the first period. And although Yeovil lost the game in this half, they looked a much better side. Reading took the lead from the penalty spot, after a moment of madness saw Tony Pennock bring down Martin Williams wide on the left when he was not in a danger position. Darren Caskey sent the keeper the wrong way with the spot-kick.
With ten minutes to go, poor marking gave sub Graeme Murtey space in the area 15 yards out. He hooked his shot, but Barry Hunter was on hand to deflect it in from the edge of the goal area. Martin Williams, whose pace caused most trouble to Yeovil, made it four with a fine goal from the edge of the penalty area, the 4-1 score flattering the home side.
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Yeovil still battled on, and finished the game attacking strongly. A neat effort from Ben Smith (reminiscient of Gazza's goal against Scotland as he chipped and volleyed) was saved by Whitehead, a short pinball session following the rebound. Finally it fell to Jamie Pitman, whose shot was knocked in by Jason Eaton to give a more respectable scoreline.
So, no glory giant-killing this afternoon, but still a proud performance against a resurgent team two divisions higher up the league ladder. And well done to the Yeovil crowd for creating such a great atmosphere.
Video clips of the goals are now online here.
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Warren Patmore clears as he helps out the Yeovil defence in the 1st half.
