Shimell bantered with fans behind the goal, and proves each day how he is fast becoming a fans favourite. The Dons first half was pure pressure, with only one ball, which came near to Shim, which was crossed in from near the half way line. A few corners were conceded, but our once frail defence looked somewhat impermeable as Ward and Johnston ordered the ball onwards.
The Dons showed great ability on the break, which shows that we are now coming along as a team; with passes flowing to spaces where players met the ball perfectly. This was met by the chant of: "It's just like watching Brazil..." and for parts, the football was well above our station.
Reading never really looked creative enough to get past our midfield, with our defence pushing up the pitch and forcing the game into sheer attack on our behalf. Sheerin worked the ball on the right, committing the goalie, only for him to pass it square to Sullivan to knock home. This caused mass celebrations, and me missing out on golden goal, but it was sure worth it.
The second half was a bit more of a mundane affaire for the main part of 45 minutes, but the only clear cut chances were done by the Dons. Cooper, back from hamstring injury, looked strangely off, and allowed balls o be given easily, and seemed to lack his usual flair and want of the ball to be in the back of the net. With his failing presence, and Sheerin's class, two substitutions were made: Sean Marshall for goal scorer Sullivan, and Ali Russell for Cooper. Both very tall looked as though they may offer the Dons some aerial opportunities in matches to come. Marshall worked strongly on the right, and held his own, passing the ball fairly well. Russell looked very pacey, and had a shot destined for the back of the net, only for Pratley to deny him. Again, he came close with a header that was only inches over the bar. With minutes left on the clock and the Dons looking to come out 1-0 winners, a Sidwell cross was struck low and hard into the far corner by Marshall to send him and the fans into seventh heaven.
All in all: another clean sheet, the boys above us drawing, allowing us to close the gap; a more team like performance than ever before, a debut strike, and the potential for this team to go in leaps and bounds: Altogether a brilliant 90 minutes.