Americans Abroad

Hahnemann, Convey keep Reading rolling 1-0 over Stoke City.

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

(Sunday, October 23, 2005) -- Spurred by the strong play of two Americans -- goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann and midfielder Bobby Convey -- Reading kept its 14-match unbeaten streak intact Saturday, edging Stoke City 1-0 thanks to Dave Kitson's 77th-minute penalty kick in the second-division English League Championship.

Reading dominated the match played at Stoke's Britannia Stadium, but needed key saves from Hahnemann to hold off a late rally and post his 10th clean sheet in 15 outings this season. Stoke's best effort came near the end on a Sam Bangoura breakaway, but Hahnemann held his ground, made the stop and preserved the win.

Convey was dangerous all day, almost scoring late in the first half, but his driven free kick was held by keeper Steve Simonsen, who earlier had stopped a Convey header off a corner kick. Late, Convey had another free kick pushed away by Simonsen.

Convey was replaced in stoppage time in favor of an additional defender.

Reading (10-1-4, 34 points), which has not lost since opening day, gained ground on league-leader Sheffield United (12-2-1, 37) which was held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds United Friday night.

U.S. midfielder Eddie Lewis played solidly for Leeds in its home draw with Sheffield at Elland Road. Several times, he sent in crosses that strikers Robbie Blake and Rob Hulse narrowly missed converting.

Leeds (7-4-3, 25 points) is in fourth place, but with a game in hand on the three teams above it.

Green Bay, Wisc., native Jay DeMerit returned to Watford's first team Saturday with a "Man of the Match" performance, instrumental for the Golden Boys who earned a well-deserved 1-0 road decision over Ipswich Town.

Ipswich did not register a single shot on goal, partially a testament to DeMerit's strength on defense. He also put a ball in the net in the second half, but had the apparent goal disallowed when he was called for pushing an opponent.

Watford (6-4-5, 23) climbed into a tie for fifth place with Crystal Palace (7-5-2).

Seb Orton contributed to this story from Watford, England.

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