Clayton ruins it for Federici
ADAM FEDERICI was given a warm welcome by Reading fans after his FA Cup semi- fi nal horror show, but Clayton Donaldson ruined his evening with a late goal.
The Reading keeper, who blundered for Arsenal’s extra- time winner, saw home fans waving Australian fl ags in appreciation .
But his hopes of a clean sheet were spoiled when Donaldson headed home Stephen Gleeson’s cross in the 83rd- minute.
READING
BIRMINGHAM
0
Federici, who announced his wedding on the weekend of the cup fi nal before the game, was idle early on.
Reading twice went close in the 25th minute. Firstly, Jamie Mackie and Nick Blackman could not stab the ball past Darren Randolph from close range. Randolph then got his hands to a shot from outside the box from Garath McCleary.
Federici was called into action for the fi rst time in the 36th minute, holding on to an effort from Jonathan Grounds.
The second half also started with chances few and far between. Reading manager Steve Clarke brought on Kwesi Appiah, on loan from Crystal Palace, to boost striking options.
Birmingham offered little, and a 70th minute effort by Andrew Shinnie was high and wide.
Randolph was called into action again in the 74th minute, saving a 25- yard- piledriver from Nathaniel Chalobah.
Then he thwarted Reading substitute Jack Stacey with a diving save, before Donaldson’s late intervention.