My friends laughed at me when I said I was going all the way up north to watch my second team, Wigan, play Reading. 'A rubbish game' they said, 'El Crappico' they bellowed. After that match, lets just say, they haven't asked me how the game was.
The reason for the journey to Manchester is because my friend, Sam, is for some reason a Reading fan.With myself supporting Wigan we had planned this day if Reading were to get promoted last season; they did, and so it was, we were going to the exotic Wigan on a soggy November afternoon.
Reading fans have been renowned for their bad atmosphere and lack of chanting. I was hoping to prove the doubters wrong on my trip up there and experience the level of decibels heard at the Kassam every other weekend. From this match what I can conclude is that the chant 'You only sing when you're winning' definitely applies to Reading fans. It was disappointing.
So the game got under way, and with our seats positioned relatively low, we were hopeful that an appearance on Match of the Day was imminent.
The difference in styles of play from what I'm used to seeing in League 2 is noticeable to say the least. Each player that gets the ball, TURNS! The movement was the most impressive thing though, maybe not from Reading, but from Wigan certainly.
The first goal was nodded in by Reading's centre back Morrison after half an hour of football. I was sat in the Reading end; Sam went hysterical and I showed my happiness for them, whilst feeling rather ill inside. And at one nil it stayed.
My experience of a Premier League game at this point had been very positive. I'd been surprised at the atmosphere from both sets of fans, the quality of football, the respect each team had for one another, but not the price of a burger.
As the second half got under way it was all Wigan as they attacked towards the Reading end. Federici produced a great save early on, but ten minutes later he could only parry to Jordi Gomez, who fired in from close range. A hugely important goal.
This certainly perked up the Wigan fans and their continued support noticeably boosted the home side. Now, something fundamentally important is man marking. Arouna Kone, the 3mil summer signing for The Latics was on top form, perhaps this was the reason he was always in acres of space, but Reading did look shabby at the back. It was his ball out wide to Jean Bausejour which lead to a cross which Gomez was able to nod in, past Federici. It was 2-1.
I said to Sam before Reading equalized that they needed a miracle to get back into this. And they did, with just ten minutes left Ali Al Habsi, a usually reliable goalkeeper fumbled a looping blocked shot into the back of the net. Reading had a lifeline. And with a couple of penalty appeals the tide of the match may just have been turning.
Look, it may sound like I am making this up, but I predicted there was going to be a last minute winner from someone. And what would you know! A beautifully constructed swift break gave Gomez the chance to net a winner. he didn't disappoint and it was 3-2! An epic match.
And that proved to be the final action of the game, the final whistle came with one or two boo's from Reading fans, with some talking about McDermott's future outside the DW.
And there it was, the end of my first Premier League match. As Sam and I ran desperately back through the raining streets of Wigan for our train there was something that made me feel quite mortal, I'd seen a gme in the league that is so profoundly loved throughout the world, I'd savoured the atmosphere, the football, there was a sense of nostalgia in the air.
And so as the fans of Wigan prepare for their next home game against Manchester City on Wednesday, I prepare for Oxford's next home game against Aldershot. I couldn't be happier.
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