Americans Abroad

Convey, Hahnemann help Reading climb into first place.

Bobby Convey (right) exchanges pleasantries with Reading first-team coach Kevin Dillon before kickoff of the eventual 3-0 victory over Ipswich. -- Reading web site photo --

By Robert Wagman (in Washington, D.C.)
SoccerTimes

(Wednesday, November 23, 2005) -- With American midfielder Bobby Convey and goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann making their usual important contributions, Reading assumed the top spot in the second-division English League Championship yesterday with a 3-0 triumph at Ipswich.

Reading (14-1-5, 47 points), which has won four straight and hasn't lost since Opening Day, moved one point ahead of Sheffield United (14-2-4). United played a 0-0 draw at Wolverhampton today, its second straight tie.

Ipswich (6-8-6, 24) had trouble handling Convey throughout the match, while Hahnemann posted his 11th shutout in league play this season.

Reading prospered from a first-half goal from Steve Sidwell, and then goals by Leroy Lita and Kevin Doyle in the second half to easily outdistance Ipswich before 22,641 at Portman Road.

In the third minute, Convey sent an out-swinging cross to Icelander Ivar Ingimarsson whose header went inches wide.

In the 29th minute, Convey was put through on a pass from Kevin Doyle. Convey's low hard shot came off a defender to Doyle, whose shot was tipped away by keeper Lewis Price. The rebound went to Sidwell who put his side ahead 1-0.

Before Convey came out for a defensive midfielder in the 78th minute, his stinging cross almost caused an own goal from Ipswich defender Fabian Wilnis, but it was pushed away on a brilliant save by Price.

Hahnemann had an easy night, needing to make one difficult save on a long shot from Gavin Williams.

United States midfielder Eddie Lewis was at his usual spot on the left flank for Leeds United (9-4-6, 33) which continued to cruise along in fourth place after a strong second half allowed it to record a 2-0 home victory.

The tight match went in Leeds favor in the 55th minute when Robert Blake put a ball out wide to Lewis who cut inside Burnley defender Michael Duff and was just inches inside the penalty area when Blake pulled him down. David Healy converted the penalty kick for the first goal and Blake added a late free kick to secure the victory.

American forward Daniel Karbassiyoon, 21 made his League Championship debut for Burnley, coming on in the 80th minute.

The Watford defense stood tall, playing a man down for almost the entire second half against host Leicester City and was rewarded when a late Malky Mackay goal gave it a 2-2 draw at the Walkers Stadium.

American defender Jay DeMerit started the match on the bench as Watford went with three on the back-line, but he came in soon after Clarke Carlisle was sent off in the 47th minute.

Robert Wagman is a SoccerTimes senior correspondent. E-mail Robert Wagman.