Blog Feed – Page 2 – Nick Bird

Reading City 3-1 Brackley Town Saints

On Monday night Reading City played third-place Brackley Town Saints who were looking to close the gap at the top of the table with a win, meanwhile Reading City were in seventh place knowing that a win would push them up the table to fifth. It was a big Hellenic Premier League fixture and it definitely delivered with entertaining football.

Reading City started the first half as they meant to go on, a high counter-press upon losing the ball and good attacking football. Mitch Parker won the ball off of a Brackley defender and instantly played a pass down the right flank for Fergus Burton to run onto, Burton went down the right before playing a low cross into the box where Luis Le Paih was waiting, and Mitch Parker was running in, but it was Le Paih who took the shot hitting the ball first time but missed the target.

The high line in attack without the ball allowed Mitch Parker to intercept an attempted pass from one of the Brackley centre backs who was looking to play the pass over Parker to the left-back. Parker brought the ball down with his chest before dribbling forward a metre or two, then unleashing a shot from about twenty-five yards out from goal, the shot was on target forcing Matt Crowther to make a save. Crowther made sure he pounced on the ball before the onrushing Luis Le Paih who was looking for the rebound.

Le Paih had another opportunity to open the scoring fourteen minutes into the game. Marco De Sousa played a nice ball to Mitch Parker who was just inside the box. Parker chested the ball to bring it down with his back to goal before playing a first-time pass for Le Paih whose shot lacked power and was right at the goalkeeper.

Soon after that chance, Reading City had their best chance of the game so far. Sam Tucker attempted a direct pass for someone to run onto but it went straight to Sam Hartley, Hartley tried to pass the ball across to one of his other defenders as Ben Lambourne was closing him down; however, Fergus Burton was pressed high up the pitch and intercepted the pass, which allowed him to get into a one on one with Crowther. Crowther came out to shut down the angle and did just enough as Burton put his shot over the crossbar in what was most certainly a clear cut chance.

With only a third of the half played you could tell Reading City would be on top all game if Brackley Town Saints didn’t change something. The chances were flowing for City, and they were unfortunate not to have scored.

It took just under twenty minutes for Brackley to have their first significant chance of the game. George Ball played a low cross from the byline just inside the box, Ellis Cowd managed to get something on it to divert the cross, however, the ball rolled to the edge of the box where Godfrey put everything behind his shot as he ran onto it and hit it first time, but the shot was far wide of the left post.

Not long after their first chance, Brackley had another one. A free-kick from just inside the Reading City half wasn’t dealt with well by the hosts, Butcher tried to head the ball, but Ball forced him out the way, Lambourne then tried to head the ball clear but instead it fell for Sam Sharett who had a weak shot saved by Charlie York who got across to it well.

After a quick spell from Brackley, Reading City were back on top. A clearance from Charlie York wasn’t won in the air cleanly by Hartley and fell to Luis Le Paih with space around him on the halfway line. The centre-midfielder dribbled to just outside the eighteen-yard box without being closed down, from there he had an attempt at goal, but it went straight at the goalkeeper.

The pressure continued as some good crosses went in firstly from Parker then by De Sousa, the latter was put out for a corner. The corner went to Le Paih who tried to head the ball back into the danger area from the back post, it was blocked and fell for Burton who then played a pass to Le Paih who had pulled out to the right more to give himself room, Le Paih played a cross upon receiving the ball and captain Ellis Cowd won the aerial battle, but Crowther made a good reactionary save from the close-range header to prevent the home side taking the lead.

Despite the constant pressure and chances Reading City were creating, they gave away a penalty with ten minutes to go in the half. A low cross was put into the box by Brackley from the right-wing, Butcher attempted to clear it but failed to direct it up the field, and the ball went to debutant Ben Lambourne. Lambourne stretched his leg out to stop the ball from rolling to the person who initially crossed the ball, by doing so the ball rolled further from him than he’d have liked and was dispossessed under pressure from two Brackley players. George Ball was the player who won the ball, Alfie Grant then attempted to make what could be described as a desperation slide tackle which looked like it took Ball’s back leg as he was spinning to get away from the tackle and it was enough contact to bring the Brackley winger down, and the referee awarded a penalty. Ryan Knight put the penalty into the bottom right corner sending York the wrong way, Reading City 0-1 Brackley Town Saints.

Reading City were back to creating chances despite the goal. Mitch Parker cut in from the right side after receiving the ball from Le Paih. Parker tried to throw off his defender with a few stepovers, and it opened a gap to have a shot which he did so, but it was blocked well by a Brackley defenders head.

Finally, Reading City found the goal they’d deserved for the whole half, and it came at a crucial time with one minute left in the half. Parker played a one-two with Le Paih and hit a shot first time when he received the ball back, the shot was blocked slightly but still rolled through into the box. Brackley centre back Middleton got the ball instead of letting it roll back to the goalkeeper in case a City player intercepted it before Crowther could reach it. Middleton chose not to clear the ball first time and instead was put under pressure due to a poor first touch which meant he was dispossessed in his own box by Le Paih who played a backheel to Parker who buried it with a side-footed shot from near the penalty spot into the bottom left corner, Reading City 1-1 Brackley Town Saints.

At half-time Reading City were extremely unlucky to not be in the lead but weren’t clinical enough when the chances arose. For Brackley Town Saints they were lucky to be in the game with hardly any chances all half.

City continued to be strong in the second half. Marco De Sousa played a ball down the right for Parker who brought the ball down and then turned inside before releasing a beautiful through ball for Fergus Burton to chase, but Crowther did well and rushed out meeting the ball at the same time but coming out on top. Almost right after City won a free-kick on the left touchline for an awful challenge from behind on Mitch Parker by Brackley defender Sam Hartley. Adam Cashin-Murray took the free-kick, and Alfie Grant won the header but saw it go just past the left post.

Brackley showed signs of improvement from their first-half performance. They passed the ball nicely around the box in the build-up to a good cross from half-time substitute Stott which was put wide by an ambitious scorpion kick attempt from Knight. Soon after Knight had another chance as he got on the end of a through ball, he cut inside to be on his left foot and looked to put his shot into the top left, but Charlie York made a superb save to deny a goal. From the corner, there were big appeals for a handball against Ellis Cowd, but the referee dismissed the claims, and the game continued. The best chances and spell Brackley had had all game.

Just after the hour mark, the home side went close again. Cashin-Murray had a shot blocked on the turn, and the free ball was picked up by Parker who cut in from the right and forced another good save out of Crowther.

A minute later City found their second goal, and it came from the previous chance. Debutant Ben Lambourne received the ball on the left side from a beautiful chip pass by Le Paih. Lambourne’s first cross was blocked, and the pitch stopped the ball just before it went out. Lambourne recollected the ball and dribbled towards the byline before cutting back which created space for a cross on his right foot, it was an almost perfect cross for one of last weeks debutants, Sam Tucker, to head into the bottom right corner, Reading City 2-1 Brackley Town Saints.

With fifteen minutes to go, Sam Bell came off the bench and almost made an immediate impact. Bell brought back a high press with his fresh legs, and he won the ball from a poor first touch, he dribbled forward towards goal and he hit it just as he got into the box forcing another good save out of Crowther who really kept his side in the game and kept the scoreline respectable for Brackley.

Just over ten minutes to go and another free-kick caused issues as nobody won the aerial battle cleanly, but Ellis Cowd got to the ball first with a sliding shot which was on target, but the goalkeeper made the save.

City found a third to secure the three points with two minutes left to go of the ninety minutes. The play for the goal started from the edge of City’s box as Cashin-Murray made a clearance which went to Le Paih who headed it on to Parker who returned the ball to Le Paih with a flick. Le Paih showed his pace, and he dribbled down the left with speed into the box and had a shot saved, but the rebound fell for him, he kept the ball under close control with two men putting him under pressure but he still managed to poke a ball through for Sam Bell who was given far too much time to set himself up to shoot in the box and he calmly put his shot past the goalkeeper, Reading City 3-1 Brackley Town Saints.

Brackley had a final chance to score a consolation goal when two substitutes combined, Kille played a through ball for McCallum, but York rushes out quickly to shut down the angles and made a save to keep the scoreline as it was.

It was a superb victory for City who controlled the game throughout. Luis Le Paih was incredible throughout and played a part in all the goals with two assists and a pass to the assister, and he was also involved in a lot of the chances which went close, definitely man of the match.

The next game for Reading City is away to Shrivenham who we beat on the opening day of the season 3-1 at the Rivermoor. If you aren’t able to make it to the game, there are two games scheduled to take place at Rivermoor and Rivers. The U16s play in the morning at Rivers in the JPL and then the U23s play at the Rivermoor for the first time this season at 2pm, more news for all three games will be posted on twitter @ReadingCityFC and @RDGCityFCYouth.

Reading City 3-0 Holmer Green

Reading City were back to winning ways on a freezing Monday evening at the Rivermoor in their first game of November due to postponements. It was a quiet game, but Reading City were always on top in the game not allowing Holmer Green any clear cut chances all game. Reading City came into this game with a rotated squad due to injuries, illness and suspensions as well as some new signings in Michael Butcher and Sam Tucker.

There was very little talk about after the first half with neither side able to find a final ball even to get a half chance.

The best chance for Holmer Green of the first half was twenty minutes into the half, and it came from a corner. The ball was crossed in and the Holmer Green number eleven won the aerial battle, but his header was going just past the right post, the ten tried to keep it in play and head the ball back into the mixer, but he couldn’t win the header, and the ball went out. Just after the Holmer Green left-back received the ball in space and dribbled into open space and then fired a shot towards goal but the shot was off target.

Reading City’s best chance came just after the half-hour mark when Fergus Burton crossed the ball into Sam Tucker who headed goalwards only for the goalkeeper to save the header easily.

So it was 0-0 at half-time with a lot of work to be done for both sides. Despite the scoreline, Reading City were clearly on top as they had a lot more possession and were playing the game mainly in the final third, but they struggled to create any chances.

Reading City started the second half with a higher tempo and within two minutes had the best chance of the game so far when Adam Cashin-Murray fired a shot just over the crossbar from outside the box.

Soon after, a free-kick from the left side was crossed towards the near post, and captain Ellis Cowd flicked a header towards goal, but the header went just over the crossbar.

In the second half, Mitch Parker ran the game with almost all chances coming through him as he caused issues for the Holmer Green defence which they couldn’t handle all game. Ten minutes into the half he played a sublime cross-field pass to switch play to left-back Arthur Furness who dribbled towards goal before having a shot which was easily saved.

The ten minutes after the hour mark were when the chances were flowing in for Reading City. Luis Le Paih unleashed a shot from outside the box which got palmed away by the goalkeeper. Three minutes later the best chance of the game so far occurred, Arthur Furness played a great low cross into the box, and Mitch Parker redirected the ball towards goal, but the shot hit the post, and no player reacted quick enough for City to reach the rebound.

In the sixty-sixth minute, Mitch Parker won the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and got into the box before being brought down, and the referee awarded a penalty. Adam Cashin-Murray stepped up to take the penalty and went towards the bottom left, but the goalkeeper made the save to keep the game goalless.

However, it didn’t take long for the hosts to put that behind them and grab the opener. Reading City had won a free-kick by the halfway line after a soft foul on Mitch Parker. Parker was by the ball after taking a bit of time to get up following the foul, and this allowed Austin Best to roll the ball to Mitch Parker who dribbled down the right-wing. Parker then crossed the ball into the back post and City captain Ellis Cowd won the aerial battle and headed it into the back of the net to give the home side the lead, Reading City 1-0 Holmer Green.

A couple of minutes later Mitch Parker had an influence yet again, he dribbled down the right and cut into the box, he lost his defender with a couple of stepovers and then tried to bend a shot into the far top left corner, but his shot rattled the crossbar.

With ten minutes to go, City found a second. Sam Bell attempted to cross the ball from the left side, but it was blocked; however, the ball went straight to Fergus Burton who got the ball under control quickly and then put his shot away into the bottom right corner, Reading City 2-0 Holmer Green.

The next chance brought another goal, this time it came for Mitch Parker who got the goal he definitely deserved. Holmer Green had committed men forward for a corner, but the ball was cleared up the pitch, a Holmer Green player picked the ball up but substitute Dan Davies pressed him quickly and won the ball. Davies then played the ball out right to Parker and Reading City were in a four on two, but Parker went himself. Parker lost his defender and just about squeezed his shot under the goalkeeper before the shot went in off of a defender, luckily it was going in so Parker could have the goal down under his name, Reading City 3-0 Holmer Green.

Reading City had a few chances in added time. Marco De Sousa, who came off the bench in the second half, forced a good save out of the goalkeeper to deny a good goal from outside the box. Then in one of the final plays of the game Sam Bell crossed the ball in for Fergus Burton who headed back across goal, but the goalkeeper pulled off a tremendous save to prevent a late fourth goal.

City took the three points from the game comfortably with some great performances, especially from Mitch Parker. It was good not only to be back to winning ways but to be back to playing games after a three-week absence.

The next game for Reading City is away to Tuffley Rovers who currently sit two places below City in 9th on seventeen points from fourteen games.

Wraysbury Village 1-2 Reading City U23s

It was back to winning ways for the U23s on Saturday away to Wraysbury in what was a tough fixture. It wasn’t the best conditions for football as it was very wet, which meant the pitch wasn’t in ideal conditions but we still played well and got the three points to stay top of the league.

Wraysbury started well as their ten had a few attempts, but none challenged Jordi Wilson much. In the twelfth minute, one of the Wraysbury centre midfielders found himself in some room on the edge of the box and had a shot, but it went wide of the left post. Almost straight after the number ten also put a shot just wide of the post.

Despite a few early chances for Wraysbury, Reading City U23s got the first goal of the game. A long ball from midfield fell for Jude Van Spall on the edge of the box, the ball settled nicely for him to hit it on the half volley and the ball sailed its way into the left side of the goal and gave Reading City U23s the lead with a tremendous goal, Wraysbury Village 0-1 Reading City U23s.

There was a lot of battling for possession for most of the half and trying to create some chances, but neither side could find the final ball they needed to allow them to score.

The next chance came fifteen minutes after the goal as Marco De Sousa was just inside the box and tried to double his sides lead, but the shot lacked power and was a comfortable save for the goalkeeper.

Just before half-time, Wraysbury’s ten found himself with an excellent opportunity to get in a one on one with Jordi Wilson as he got in behind the defence. Still, Nathan Mindoumba showed a high work rate to get back and make a recovery tackle to win the ball back and take away the chance for Wraysbury.

City had the lead at the break, but it wasn’t the most comfortable as Wraysbury knocked on the door a few times in the first half but lacked a bit of quality when the chances did come for them.

Reading City U23s came out much better in the second half and were in control of the game. Early on the trio of Jude Van Spall, Marco De Sousa and Jas Le Paih were passing in triangles up the left side of the pitch retaining the ball superbly, but unfortunately, the great piece of play came to nothing.

Jude Van Spall had an almost perfect chance to grab his second soon after as Kris Tuffour was on the left side and crossed to the back post for Van Spall, but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper if it was pretty much anywhere else it would have been 2-0.

Straight from that clear cut chance, Wraysbury went up the other end and found themselves with an excellent opportunity to score, but a block was enough to make the shot an easy save for Jordi Wilson. That chance was the start of a few chances in quick succession for Wraysbury, the right-winger attempted a bicycle kick from just inside the box which went high and was loopy, but Jordi Wilson still caught it under pressure from a Wraysbury player. Then Wraysbury had their own clear cut chance as a shot came in from the right again, Jordi Wilson palmed the ball away only as far as the left-winger who hammered a shot towards goal only for it to be blocked and then cleared away, it was very close to becoming 1-1.

They had a good attempt well saved from a free-kick on the hour mark as it looked to be going into the far post, but Jordi made the save and held it. Jordi distributed quickly up the field for a perfect counter-attack, the ball was played forward again to Marco De Sousa on the edge of the box in a three on one in the visitor’s favour. De Sousa took it himself and fired his shot into the bottom right corner to double the visitors lead, Wraysbury Village 0-2 Reading City U23s.

It was almost 1-2 only a minute late, Jordi Wilson’s goal kick was poor going straight to a Wraysbury player, he dribbled his way into the box to have a shot, but Denis Haxhiu got back to make a last-ditch tackle in the box to deny the Wraysbury forward a chance to score.

Wraysbury eventually found a way through, a cross came from the right-winger and went past everyone to the back post for the opposite winger to tap in and bring the hosts within one. There were some appeals for offside for the crosser, but they were dismissed by the referee, Wraysbury Village 1-2 Reading City U23s.

Wraysbury’s new front three for this second half were causing the defence a lot of issues. The striker came close to tying the game as he went along the edge of the box looking for a gap to shoot through and eventually did so, but Jordi Wilson made a save to prevent a goal. They soon got in behind the defence again, but Nathan Mindoumba got back made the tackle and then used his strength to retain the ball and get past the man he dispossessed to take the ball out of defence.

The visitors were getting sloppy with their passing by now often giving the ball away, leading to chances for the home side. However, in the last ten minutes, they played much better and were able to close the game out, they kept the ball in the opposition’s half and defended well when Wraysbury did get the ball.

With the win Reading City U23s stay top of the Thames Valley Premier League and they showed good bounce-back ability following last weeks loss. They currently lead the table by three points, but teams below do have some games in hand, so City U23s have to keep up the superb form they’ve had at the start of the season.

Reading City 0-1 Windsor

A frustrating game for Reading City on Monday night who struggled to create many chances but defended well despite having ten men for seventy-two minutes. It was made even more frustrating for City as the only goal they conceded came from an offside player, which tarnished a nice goal from Mahumba.

Windsor got an early free-kick due to a foul from Luis Le Paih, who had a really good game, Ive took it, but despite getting it over the wall missed the target.

Reading City’s first chance came ten minutes in, Joe Bainbrigge poked the ball to Cashin-Murray who pulled his shot wide of the left post.

Soon after that Steve Lee got a yellow card for pulling back Mahumba who would have been away with just Josh Blackwood to beat, of the two yellow cards this seemed harsher due to it being Lee’s first foul and there being covering players. His second yellow came only a couple of minutes after the first for a similar foul on Mahumba again as they got tangled up with each other which made it hard to tell who’s fault it was, but it was given against Lee. After a discussion with the linesman, the referee showed the red card, and Lee was sent for an early bath.

Inbetween the yellow cards Ive had a shot from the left side of the pitch on the corner of the box which was an easy save for York as it went straight at him.

After the red card, Windsor had a corner which went off one Windsor player before a soft loopy header to Ingram who headed over the bar as the loopiness of the header made it awkward for him under pressure from Reading City players.

A couple of minutes later Reading City caused issues for Windsor after a great ball was put in by McKoy Palmer, Cashin-Murray got on the end of it and headed it onto the post before the referee blew the whistle as the offside flag had gone up.

With twenty minutes left in the half Windsor got their goal, Ingram played a through ball for Mahumba who was offside, and there were very loud appeals from both the fans and the City bench, the flag stayed down, and Mahumba dribbled into the box, Luis Le Paih caught up, but Mahumba cut inside to lose him and put his shot past York to give Windsor a controversial lead, Reading City 0-1 Windsor FC.

Ten minutes later Reading City manager Simon Johnson was given a yellow card for dissent towards the officials.

Windsor were in control of the game due to the extra man and had the final two chances of the half. A deep cross was put in from the right side towards the penalty spot, Josh Blackwood couldn’t quite jump high enough to head it away, and it went to a Windsor player who had a free header, but he couldn’t direct it on target. The final chance of the half came in added time when Ive, who had an excellent game and made it difficult for Arthur Furness every time he got the ball, received a great long ball from the defence. He kept the ball under close control and then shot after coming inside a bit; however, the shot lacked some power and was saved comfortably by York.

So the visitors went in with the lead at the break with a goal from Mahumba, and the hosts were down to ten men with a lot to do. Despite this, they were in the same situation on Saturday and overcame it to get the win, so they knew they were capable of pulling it off.

Windsor had a few good chances early on in the second half. The first came from a free-kick, similar to Palmer’s in the first half, it got flicked towards the goal, but was stopped by York who was able to regather the ball after spilling the save. From the clearance, Windsor worked the ball forward again, and Mahumba was played through, he tried to put his shot around York but missed the target. Windsor had another opportunity two minutes later when Ive drove down the wing and then put a low cross in towards the back post, but Mahumba couldn’t put the shot on target again.

Reading City’s first good chance of the half came with twenty-five minutes to go. They played the ball around the box nicely, substitute Mitchell Parker got the ball inside the box with his back towards goal from Cashin-Murray, he hit his shot on the turn through the traffic of the Windsor defence, but it was kept out by a block from one of the Windsor players as the keeper couldn’t get to it with his attempted save.

Windsor went close again with just less than twenty to go, Etefia found himself open on the right and got into the box, he got the ball on his left foot and put his shot between De Rama and Blackwood, but York made a fine stop to prevent Windsor extending their lead.

Potentially the Citizens best chance of the game came in the last minutes of the match as Yashwa Romeo was in on goal, but Trivonas made a good save to stop the home side getting the goal to tie up the game.

Ive had two final chances on the counter very late on to confirm the three points for his side and grab a goal to conclude an excellent performance from the left-winger. They were very similar chances as they were both shots that barely went over the bar from the left side just outside the box, the first was closer and had more power behind it but the second wasn’t far off either.

Windsor managed to see the game out and take the three points, City found it hard to create many good chances due to being down to ten men but were very unfortunate with the goal they conceded, but over the season it will hopefully balance itself out.

The next game for Reading City is at the Rivermoor on 26/10/19 against Fairford Town. At this game, we will be paying tribute to everyone that sacrificed their lives for our freedom today in war, the players of both sides will wear poppy adorned shirts as a tribute.

Windlesham 1-0 Reading City U23s

The unbeaten run for the U23s came to an end at the weekend in a 1-0 defeat to Windlesham United. It was a poor performance from Reading City U23s in the second-half following a promising first-half which resulted in Windlesham eventually getting a superb winning goal and winning the game when City U23s didn’t deserve to win.

Although City U23s didn’t deserve to win in the end, their first-half performance was promising. They started with a good chance early on when Bub Touray got on the end of a cross from Marco De Sousa, who showed great work rate to get the ball and retain it on the right side of the box, went close early on and then just after Ben Lambourne had a shot from outside the box deflected wide of the left post.

Windlesham went straight up the other end though and should have opened the scoring, the right-winger, who had a good game, hit the post with a shot across goal, then the ball came out to number 4 who blazed his shot over, if it was on target it then maybe it would have been 1-0.

Kris Tuffour had a free-kick on target well saved fifteen minutes into the game, the keeper managed to retrieve the ball quick enough, so Bub Touray didn’t get to the rebound to turn the ball in.

The right-winger, 7, had another chance soon after as he got behind the defence again but Jordi Wilson made a good save to prevent a goal.

Halfway through the half Reading City U23s got two free-kicks in quick succession on either side of the pitch both taken by Jude Van Spall. The first from the right was a superb ball in, but nobody rose high and headed it towards the goal; instead, the ball came to Kris Tuffour who couldn’t get enough on the shot to challenge the goalkeeper. The second free-kick was into the six-yard box and onto Jehmeil McNeil’s head as he headed it onto the bar.

With ten minutes to go in the half Reading City U23s played some great football which led to a shot from Bub Touray which was well saved. The ball came out to Ben Lambourne about thirty seconds later, but he sliced his shot wide.

Just before half-time, Kris Tuffour played a great ball out to Jude Van Spall on the left who cut inside before forcing a great save out of the goalkeeper to keep the scores level going into the break.

At the break, it was Reading City U23s who had the upper hand, but Windlesham United had also had some good chances in the first-half, especially the early opportunity.

It was end to end action early on, Jordi Wilson made a good save from a free-kick and then up the other end everyone thought City had scored, but it was kept out, the ball came out to the edge of the box, and the keeper made another good save to prevent a goal.

Fifteen minutes into the half the City defence failed to clear the ball, and it fell for seven who fired barely over the bar. They had the next chance as well when a ball came in from the right, but the shot was put over from close, Windlesham United were coming close to scoring.

Windlesham United found their breakthrough with less than ten minutes to go when substitute Abdul Abdelhamid made a stupid foul a couple yards outside the box. The free-kick routine worked for them as they lay it off for ten who rocketed a shot past the onrushing wall into the top left corner, Jordi Wilson had no chance to get to it. Unfortunately, the goal also ended the run without conceding a goal, but if you’re going to concede at least, it was an unbelievable goal, Windlesham United 1-0 Reading City U23s.

Two minutes later Jordi made a great stop to prevent an own goal as Windlesham United crossed it from the right and Nathan Mindomba accidentally sent it towards the bottom left corner while trying to clear it, Jordi Wilson scrambled across and pushed it out wide as a Windlesham player was rushing towards the goal to try and score.

Into injury time Windlesham United got another free-kick in almost the exact same place, they used the same routine, and City U23s didn’t learn from it as the shot was driven low towards the bottom right corner, but Jordi Wilson made a great save to push it onto the post, the ball then rolled across the line, and Jordi got to the ball before another Windlesham player could at the opposite post.

That’s how the game ended, Windlesham United were the more deserving side as Reading City U23s created hardly any chances in the second half. The goal from Windlesham United was sublime and a great show of skill.

The next game for Reading City U23s is another away game, and it’s against Windlesham United and is at the here. As always, you can follow the games on twitter along with what’s happening with all youth teams @RDGCityFCYouth.

Reading City 1-5 Easington Sports

It was a very disappointing result for Reading City at the weekend against Easington Sports which forced reflection for the players and staff after the game. The result came as a bit of a shock after a decent run of form of four games without a loss until Monday’s penalty shootout loss.

The shock came early as Easington Sports scored in just two minutes, they worked the ball down the right, Piers Walton crossed the ball to Jack Dunmall who helped the ball into the bottom left, Reading City 0-1 Easington Sports. It wasn’t long until they got their second, it came from a corner, which was awarded after appeals for a penalty were dismissed, Josh Rose headed it towards goal, and debutant Alfie Grant tried to head it away but connected wrongly and the ball went behind him and behind Charlie York who had come out of his goal to punch the ball away and went in for an own goal, Reading City 0-2 Easington Sports. Two minutes later it was 3-0, the Easington winger played a through ball to Jack Dunmall who raced for the ball and slid to reach it before Charlie York and did so, and the ball rolled in for his second of the game and Easington’s third, Reading City 0-3 Easington Sports.

The Citizens tried to get back into the game but were struggling to create anything.

In added time, Easington grabbed their fourth from another corner. It was crossed towards the front post and flicked in by a Piers Walton header into the far side of the goal, Reading City 0-4 Easington Sports.

Reading City had a lot to do if they wanted to come back and win the game, and from the first half performance, it wasn’t looking too likely.

Nevertheless, it was City who had the better start, McKoy Palmer took a free-kick, and in the proceedings, Alfie Grant was pulled to the ground by one of the Easington defenders and the referee awarded a penalty. Adam Cashin-Murray converted the penalty sending the goalkeeper the wrong way, Reading City 1-4 Easington Sports.

Easington almost scored their fifth not long after, they had the Reading City defence beaten for numbers, and the right-winger got past Tom Browne, but he dragged his shot across goal. They should have scored not long after as Piers Walton was onside for a long ball and got past Charlie York who rushed out of the box to try and win the ball, but he rushed his shot at the open goal and missed the target.

With thirty minutes to go, Dan Davies was sent off for a second yellow card following a poor challenge.

Easington were back to having threatening chances as one of their midfielders had a shot from outside the box which forced Charlie York to make a good save, soon after the same player headed just over from a corner. Charlie York made another save when Jack Dunmall got in behind the City defence again, but the shot didn’t challenge York too much.

Easington got their fifth goal with five minutes to go as they played in a triangle from a throw-in, their substitute right winger managed to break away eventually down the right and then pulled it back to Jack Dunmall who found himself in space and hit the ball first time, Charlie York got a hand to it but it wasn’t enough to stop the shot which went into the top right corner, Reading City 1-5 Easington Sports.

The result has caused some reflection, and hopefully for the Citizens, it brings hard work out of everyone to turn it around for next weekends game against Ardley United at the Rivermoor in the Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup.

Reading City U23s 3-0 Woodcote

Inspiring. Last season Reading City U23s got fourteen points all season with just four wins, this Saturday they’ve gone top of the league with seventeen points and five wins in only eight games, Deano and Darren Seal have transformed the side and got them playing incredible football which really showed in the victory at the weekend. Down to ten men after 28 minutes the players put everything into the game, showed desire, work rate, teamwork and if someone turned up after the red card they wouldn’t have known they were down to ten men as they controlled the game continuing to play great football and ended up winning 3-0 with two goals after the red card.

City U23s started well and had a couple of early chances. After just two minutes Kris Tuffour troubled the goalkeeper from range and caused him to spill the shot, but he managed to gather the ball before a Reading City player could get to it. Then in the ninth minute City U23s got the opening goal, Kris Tuffour played a sublime pass over the defence for Jude Van Spall to run onto, Van Spall finished it superbly as he chipped it in to score his first goal of the season, Reading City U23s 1-0 Woodcote.

The chances died down for a while until the twenty-second minute when Ollie Wilson slipped Marco De Sousa through near the penalty spot, but he couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet, partially due to the surface, and the shot was saved quite easily.

About five minutes later, Ollie Wilson was sent off for violent conduct as he lost his head.

After the red card Reading City U23s still dominated the game and kept the ball well and should have scored a few before half time. Luis Le Paih hit the side netting with just under ten to go in the half, Jude Van Spall forced the keeper to make a save from a free-kick which was spilt to Tyrese Weeks, but he couldn’t get a ball across to a teammate to tap in. Jude Van Spall got on the end of a great through ball out of defence, he had Tyrese Weeks in the centre of the box who he squared the ball to, but the keeper did enough to prevent a tap in, but he was lucky to have not conceded. Just before half-time, Kris Tuffour rattled the crossbar with a free-kick which the keeper just about got a hand to.

It was a great first-half performance from Reading City U23s, even with the red card they looked the better side against tough opposition in Woodcote.

It was a great start to the second half as well, Tyrese Weeks forced a save after shifting out to the left side following a good run through the middle and Jude Van Spall had a shot from the right side of the pitch which was saved but spilt almost to Jehmeil McNeil who came on at half-time but he slipped as he ran to get the rebound.

Woodcote were definitely in the game more in the second half, and their number 8 got past a few Reading City U23s players but was halted inside the box by Nathan Mindomba who made a great slide tackle.

Reading City U23s found their second just under fifteen minutes into the half as Tyron Bah showed excellent work rate in the build-up before Jehmeil McNeil had a shot which was spilt by the keeper and this time someone did get to the rebound, and it was captain and top goalscorer and assister Kris Tuffour who finished it, Reading City U23s 2-0 Woodcote.

Woodcote’s best chance of the game came shortly after the goal when the defence couldn’t clear the ball, and it ran through for the Woodcote striker, but he was very quickly closed down by Jordi Wilson who dispossessed him with his legs and pounced on top of the ball so nobody could get to the rebound.

Jehmeil McNeil had a great chance to grab his first of the game as Tyrese Weeks played him through, but he pulled his shot across goal and wide lacking that composure in front of goal that would make him incredibly lethal.

Then around the seventieth-minute mark, there was lots going on. In the sixty-ninth minute, Woodcote had a goal disallowed for offside that a few of their players kicked off about believing it wasn’t offside. Then a minute later Jehmeil McNeil did some superb work as on the edge of the Woodcote box he tackled two players to win the ball and then showed great footwork and composure to get around the keeper and put the ball into an empty net, Reading City U23s 3-0 Woodcote.

After the goal, while a Woodcote player received treatment Woodcote’s number 5 was questioning the referee, and Woodcote’s eight was having a go at the linesman for the disallowed goal, this resulted in Woodcote’s eight getting sin-binned, so it was 10v10 for ten minutes. At this time City also made a double substitution to give a rest to Tyrese Weeks and Kris Tuffour who have both come back from injuries recently.

With ten to go Jehmeil McNeil should have grabbed another goal as he was played through into a one on one, but he couldn’t put the shot on target.

The hosts were through again soon after with Jehmeil, Jas and M.D.Kabba against two Woodcote players, Jas Le Paih played it to Jehmeil McNeil who was to his right, McNeil’s shot went across goal and M.D.Kabba tried to slide it in, but with hard ground studs, he was never going to get to it.

Woodcote had two chances which threatened the City goal in quick succession. Firstly, Woodcote had a free-kick from the left side, which was saved and held by Jordi Wilson. The second chance was a brilliant save down to Jordi Wilson’s right from a shot outside the box, which he pushed out wide.

That’s how it ended, City with the 3-0 victory with a great team performance which was probably their best of the season so far. This clean sheet also means that Reading City U23s haven’t conceded in four consecutive games. Also, this victory puts Reading City U23s top of the Thames Valley Premier League.

The next game for City U23s is away to Windlesham United for another 2pm kick-off as City look to stay top of the league. As always you can follow the game along on twitter @RDGCityFCYouth.

Reading City 1-1 Aylesbury Vale Dynamos (3-4 After Penalties)

A disappointing result for the Citizens on Monday night as they were knocked out of the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup on penalties.

The chances came for Reading City early on. Adam Cashin-Murray had a shot from outside the box go wide after four minutes, and in the seventh minute McKoy Palmer played Matt Stockill down the left side, Stockill played an excellent cross to the edge of the box for Joe Bainbrigge, but his shot missed the target.

In the twentieth minute, Aaron De Rama got the ball just outside the box after it hit an Aylesbury Vale Dynamos player, the ball settled nicely for him to shoot on the half-volley, but the shot went wide of the post.

However, Aylesbury Vale Dynamos found the first goal in unfortunate circumstances for Reading City. McAteer took a quick free-kick to Scott, he put the ball into the danger area, Cashin-Murray tried to clear it, but the ball deflected off of Aaron De Rama for Amadieu who finished it on the turn, Reading City 0-1 Aylesbury Vale Dynamos.

Aylesbury almost doubled their lead ten minutes later from a corner, but Amadieu headed over the bar.

The hosts were trying to make the score level before half time, and everything seemed to be coming through McKoy Palmer. Palmer tried to catch the goalkeeper off guard with a few minutes left in the half with a shot from around twenty-yards, but the keeper managed to stop the chance and prevent it from rolling away to a City player that was chasing it down. Palmer had an opportunity to score again just before the whistle for half-time as he drove down the left side and breezed past a couple of Aylesbury players and got to the six-yard box only for his shot to be saved.

At the break, it was City who had more chances but they lacked quality when they got into good positions, yet it was Aylesbury with the lead.

It was the perfect start for Reading City in the second half as they scored in the first minute, Joe Bainbrigge crossed the ball in from the right, and McKoy Palmer headed the ball into the bottom left corner to extend his scoring streak to 7 goals in 5 games, Reading City 1-1 Aylesbury Vale Dynamos.

Ten minutes into the half there were big appeals for McAteer to be sent off as he went through the back of Joe Bainbrigge with lots of force, but the referee only gave a yellow card.

Kai Stubbs-Alleyne had a chance to give City the lead in the fifty-seventh minute when he got it the ball from a cross by Palmer which went behind him, he recovered the ball and had a go at goal, but the shot lacked power and went past the right post.

The best chance of the half for Aylesbury fell on the hour mark as Scott received the ball from a through ball to the right side, he hit it first time, and Charlie York made an important save to keep it 1-1.

Soon after McKoy Palmer dribbled across the pitch and slipped the ball through for substitute Mo Davies, he cut in and lost his man before shooting with his left, but the keeper had come out to close down the angles which allowed him to make the save.

With just over fifteen to go McKoy Palmer got the ball over the top, he got tackled, but the tackle sent the ball to Mo Davies whose shot hit the side netting.

With five to go Aylesbury had a great attempt to win the game denied with a big block by Arthur Furness.

Cashin-Murray tried to bend a shot in from just outside the box on the left side after Palmer laid the ball off for him, but the shot didn’t bend enough, and it went past the post.

Into injury time McKoy Palmer was racing towards goal before being brought down in the box, he tried to keep going but couldn’t and went to ground. There were appeals for a penalty, but the referee gave a free-kick to Aylesbury for diving.

The game ended 1-1 and went straight to penalties. Reading City lost in the shootout 4-3 and were knocked out of the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup.

A disappointing result and performance from Reading City, they lacked quality in front of goal and were punished for not taking their chances.

The next game for Reading City is on 12/10/19 against Easington Sports on Non-League Day at 3pm. However, it would be great to see people turn up one hour earlier to see the U23s just down the road at Rivers against Woodcote as it’s also the second ‘City Double Header’ of the season.

Mortimer 0-1 Reading City U23s

Reading City U23s extended their unbeaten run in the Thames Valley Premier League on Saturday afternoon to six games with a 1-0 victory over Mortimer who we beat at home 3-2 earlier in the season. It was a tough game and not the best performance of the season, but the U23s still managed to get the three points to put them back to 3rd in the league.

Both teams started well in the first ten minutes, but it was City who went close first when Jude Van Spall had a free kick on the left side, he bent his shot towards the top left corner, but the goalkeeper made a decent save to prevent an early goal for City. From the resulting corner, Mortimer counter-attacked and were in a 2v1 against Jordi Wilson, but they lacked composure, and it ended up being a simple save in what was to be a busy game for the Citizens goalkeeper.

Jordi Wilson had another save to make ten minutes later when the Mortimer left-back had an attempt from outside the box, but it was straight at the goalkeeper.

The game was filled with controversy surrounding the referee and especially the linesman. The Citizens felt extremely hard done by in the 39th minute when Bub Touray played a lovely through ball for Tyrese Weeks who put his shot away in a one on one, but the Mortimer player that was linesman flagged for offside, however, it looked like Tyrese Weeks was well onside, and it was another example of the issues having no linesman can cause.

Only a minute later with the score still 0-0 Jordi Wilson was called back into action from a half volley by the Mortimer captain, Wilson made a good save to keep the scores level.

The best chance or City, excluding the disallowed goal, came with only a few minutes to go until half-time when Tyron Bah won the ball back close to the Mortimer box, he poked the ball through for Jude Van Spall who had a chance to score on his first start for the U23s this season when he hit it on the turn, but the shot lacked the power it needed, the keeper still had to make a good save to prevent City taking the lead just before half-time though.

The sides went in level at half-time. Both had to improve if they wanted to get something from this game.

City U23s started well as they got the ball to Tyrese Weeks in the first minute of the half, he beat his man and then crossed it in for Bub Touray who just hit the post, it was a promising start for the visitors.

Mortimer also had an early opportunity in the second half, number 7 was given far too much time on the edge of the box and forced another great save from Jordi Wilson as the ball headed for the top right corner.

With thirty minutes to go, Mortimer had a goal disallowed from a corner for a foul after the ball was headed into the goal.

Reading City U23s finally found a breakthrough with fifteen minutes to go, Tyrese Weeks showed his talent as he got past two Mortimer players on the left side, he then played the ball through to substitute Jehmeil McNeil to put away into the far side of the goal and give the visitors the lead, Mortimer 0-1 Reading City U23s.

With less than ten minutes plus a decent amount of added time left the game hotted up with Mortimer threatening on a couple of occasions, one of the opportunities came from just outside the six-yard box, and the shot went through Jas Le Paih’s legs, but Wilson made another good save to keep his side in the lead. A few minutes later Wilson had to make another save, the ball was worked into the box from the right side before a shot was fired towards the near post, but Jordi Wilson made yet another save in what was a tremendous goalkeeping display. It wasn’t only good saves he was making, there were multiple times where he had to punch the ball away from Mortimer set-pieces which he did so with confidence each time.

The final chance of the game came on the counter-attack, City had the numbers and probably should have just gone to the corner, but Jehmeil McNeil looked to confirm the win with another goal, but it lacked power and ended up being an easy save for the goalkeeper.

It ended with City travelling back to Reading with all three points after a great battle against Mortimer which highlighted the quality of the City defence and Jordi Wilson who was comfortably man of the match for his countless saves which made the difference in the end.

Reading City U23s next game falls on National Non-League Day and also on the second ‘City Double Header’ of the season, 12/10/19. The U23s will be playing Woodcote at Rivers at 14:00, in the reverse fixture City came out on top with a 3-1 win, and they’ll look to get the three points again. If you’re going to the second part of the ‘City Double Header’ it would be great to see you come and support the U23s before you go to watch the first team play Easington Sports.

As always you can follow all Reading City U23s games on twitter @RDGCityYouth.

Reading City 5-4 Holyport

It was a nine goal thriller on a very wet Monday night at The Rivermoor which saw Reading City come out on top in the Bluefin Sports UHL Challenge Cup 2nd Round clash against Holyport. It was another excellent performance from the in-form McKoy Palmer who scored a hat-trick in the win and moves to five goals in the last three games.

Reading City had a great first half where they had a lot of possession and were clinical in front of goal. Kai Stubbs-Alleyne opened the chances in the 12th minute when he did a Cruyff turn on the edge of the box with his first touch to get past the defence and into a one on one, but he put his shot over the bar.

Holyport went up the other end soon after, and a through ball was played in behind the defence, the Andy Forisky raced for the ball and reached it just before Charlie York, but had to slide to reach it first so didn’t make significant contact and Charlie York was able to save the shot and collect it right after.

The Citizens found the opener in the 20th minute when Matt Stockill slipped the ball through to McKoy Palmer, the keeper got it first, but his first touch gave the ball to McKoy Palmer who put it into an empty net, Reading City 1-0 Holyport.

Soon after the lead got doubled, a corner from the right side went past everyone except Steve Lee, he headed the ball back across goal and went in, there may have been a touch from Dan Davies, but the ball was going in anyway, Reading City 2-0 Holyport.

Only two minutes later, however, Holyport pulled a goal back, Luis Le Paih got dispossessed on the halfway line by Josh Masters who played a through ball to Andy Forisky who got in behind Devonn Reid and finished confidently to cut City’s lead back to one goal, Reading City 2-1 Holyport.

City’s set-pieces proved to be lethal again ten minutes after Holyport’s goal when a corner from the left side was directed goalwards by Dan Davies, but it got cleared off of the goal line only as far as Stubbs-Alleyne who put it in from close between the two defenders defending the posts, Reading City 3-1 Holyport.

Reading City showed their strength going forward in the first half, but there were signs of complacency at the back at times which resulted in Andy Forisky getting in behind the defence twice and scoring from one of those occasions.

The signs of complacency were exploited early in the second half by Holyport who came out of the blocks faster and more determined. Holyport won a penalty in two minutes of the restart from a free-kick, the initial shot got blocked, but the rebound hit Josh Blackwood in the upper arm as he turned away to block the shot, it was a slightly controversial penalty, but there was nothing City could do about it. The penalty was put into the bottom left by Fabian Driffill, Reading City 3-2 Holyport.

Fabian Driffill grabbed a second goal a couple of minutes later when he retrieved a clearance from a corner he took, and he realised that he had time and room to shoot and did so, the ball sailed towards goal into the top left corner, the scores were level, Reading City 3-3 Holyport.

Soon after Driffill almost bagged his third goal after a misplaced pass by Devonn Reid was intercepted by Driffill, he shot from about twenty yards out, but his shot went wide of the right post. Reading City needed to wake up, or there was potential for them to be embarrassed.

However, the hosts were quick to get back to their first-half form. Palmer was on the left side, he shifted inside onto his right foot and tried to bend a shot into the far corner but saw the chance go just wide. Palmer did the same sort of thing not long after, but his attempt went past the far post again.

However, City went behind for the first time in the game with fifteen minutes to go. Steve Lee failed to clear the ball, and it got crossed in from the left and put in from close range with a sliding tap in, Reading City 3-4 Holyport.

McKoy Palmer found the opening with ten minutes to go for City in the 2nd half to draw the scores level, Kai Stubbs-Alleyne played a through ball behind the Holyport left-back, and Palmer showed good composure to put his shot past the goalkeeper. City grabbed the ball and ran back to the halfway line to get the game going again so they could find a winner, Reading City 4-4 Holyport.

However, it was Holyport who almost retook the lead when the two goalscorers combined, and Driffill forced a good save out of Charlie York to keep the scoreline level.

But it was Reading City’s McKoy Palmer who found the winner only two minutes after his second when he scored a fantastic goal similar to his shots earlier in the half. Dan Davies played a ball down the line for Palmer to run onto; he cut back inside before opening up his body and curling a shot into the top right corner from about twenty yards which was merely unstoppable and a beautiful way for Palmer to secure his hat-trick, Reading City 5-4 Holyport.

It was a much-improved performance from Holyport in the second half, but Reading City showed their resilience and McKoy Palmer continued his excellent goalscoring form to lead the Citizens into the third round of the Bluefin Sports UHL Challenge Cup.

Reading City play next on Saturday 5th October away against Longlevens at Sawmills End in the Hellenic Premier Division at 15:00 and are at home next on Monday 7th October in the BBFA Senior Cup against Aylesbury Dynamos at 19:45.