Reading VS Burton Albion

As we set out on our ’92FCChallenge,’ every matchday brings with it a unique adventure, and our visit to Reading for the clash with Burton Albion was no exception. The anticipation was palpable as we embarked on our first daytime match, and the journey down was surprisingly smooth until we reached the M4 exit. Slow-moving traffic, a familiar sight for football fans, greeted us, but with pre-booked parking in hand, we decided to stick to the permit queue, defying Google Maps’ advice.

However, the unexpected always adds a twist to our journey. Eventually, I chose to trust our trusty sat nav, and it led us on a fantastic route. We bypassed the queue and found ourselves seamlessly entering the car park, a stroke of luck we couldn’t have predicted.

Our luck continued when we headed to the ticket office to collect our tickets, courtesy of a Blue Light Card ballot win. A heartfelt thanks to Reading and the Blue Light Card for this opportunity.

Ever the dedicated fan, Liam expanded his collection with a matchday scarf from Reading FC. With our spirits high, we made our way inside the stadium, and the seats and view surpassed our expectations. It was unquestionably one of the best views I’ve ever had in a football stadium.

As avid collectors, we sought out the matchday program, only to be told by a supervisor that Reading FC no longer sold them, a change brought about by the COVID era. It was a surprising turn of events as our goal during these ’92FCChallenge’ matches was to purchase a program and a scarf at every venue we attended.

The match itself was not without its share of drama. Fan protests against the club’s management took center stage. On the stroke of the 15th minute, hundreds of tennis balls rained down on the pitch, causing a temporary suspension of the game. The fans made their voices heard, and the match continued amidst the chants and protests.

Despite the off-field distractions, the team gave their all on the pitch, but the Burton Albion goalkeeper put on a stellar performance, making incredible saves and earning our man-of-the-match accolades. The final score stood at 0-0.

Post-match, we encountered a frustrating 20-minute wait in the car park due to fans boarding numerous double-decker buses outside. While the logic behind this escape plan remained unclear, we eventually hit the M4 without further delays.

As we journeyed back home, we couldn’t help but tune in to the commentary of the Spurs vs. Liverpool match, the drama continuing even after the final whistle of our day at the stadium, with Matip scoring an injury-time own goal.

Our ’92FCChallenge’ adventure continues, filled with twists, turns, and unforgettable moments, making each matchday a story in itself.