Blog Feed – Page 3 – Nick Bird

Finchampstead 0-0 Reading City U23s

A frustrating game on Saturday afternoon at the Memorial Ground for Reading City U23s, they controlled possession, played the majority of the game in the opposition’s half, but lacked a spark, a moment of brilliance or someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck and lead the team to victory.

Despite that, Reading City had a chance within a minute as Jehmeil McNeil received the ball on the right side and drove towards goal but sliced his shot wide.

Early on the Finchampstead left-winger was causing issues for the backline of Reading City U23s as his runs were allowing him to get in behind the defence. These runs lead to two chances for Finchampstead, one on the edge of the D where a half volley was sent just past the top corner and another a few minutes later where the visitors struggled to clear the ball in their 18-yard box, but City managed to clear the danger eventually.

It was after those chances when City started to get control of the possession and create a few opportunities to score. Harry Peters cut back on the left side onto his right foot and crossed into the danger area; then a Finchampstead defender sliced the cross in an attempt to clear the ball which sent the ball spinning up and towards his own goal, luckily for him his keeper had it covered to prevent an unfortunate own goal. One of Reading City’s best chances of the game came soon after when the goalkeeper scuffed a pass to one of his defenders when City’s forwards were putting on pressure high up the field, Ollie Wilson was the interceptor and with his back to goal passed it to Ben Lambourne on the edge of the box, Lambourne hit it the first time, and it narrowly went past the left post as the goalkeeper scrambled to get back in position.

City then struggled to create a good chance for 20 minutes until Marco De Sousa crossed the ball from deep on the right side for Harry Peters who was open near the back post, he looked sure to score but leant back too much, and the shot went over from close range, it was a let-off for Finchampstead.

Only minutes later though Finchampstead had the best chance to score for either side of the half when a low cross was put into the 6-yard box from the right and shot towards goal, however, Jordi Wilson made a great save to keep the scores level.

The Citizens had their first shot on target only two minutes before half time when Nathan Jones got it outside the box and saw a gap open up in the defence to have a go, but the shot was straight at the goalkeeper. A couple of minutes later De Sousa had a shot from the edge of the box as well when he received the ball in the air, took a touch and then shot without letting the ball touch the ground, but the volley went over the bar.

The chances died down a lot in the second half as Finchampstead defended with a deep line and defended well. City U23s couldn’t find a way to get past the defence consistently, and it meant they only had a handful of chances in the second half.

Finchampstead had three free-kicks in the 2nd half from the halfway line which caused issues for Reading City U23s each time as everyone seemed to wait for someone else to clear the ball. The first one saw a shot from very close sent over the bar as the ball went past everyone. The second was dealt with the best but was still awkward for the defence, and the third came with only six minutes to go in the game, Jordi Wilson came to punch it and did so but the ball still went behind him, and to a Finchampstead player who headed it towards goal but hit the bar, on another day City would have been punished for their poor use of possession with this chance but luckily got away with it this time.

Reading City U23s had three chances that troubled the goalkeeper in the second half. The first came when Tyron Bah crossed from the left side to the back post where Kris Tuffour tried to head it but couldn’t quite get close enough to make good contact and send it goalwards. The second and third attempts came back to back, De Sousa shot from about twenty-five yards out and almost caught the goalkeeper off guard as he could only parry the shot away. The parried chance came to Mohammed Drammeh Kabba, he passed it to Kris Tuffour who drove a shot towards the bottom left corner, but the keeper got down and made the save.

The game ended 0-0 with Finchampstead the much happier side to take a point as City U23s dominated the game but lacked creativity and didn’t challenge the goalkeeper nearly enough as he parried shots most of the times City had a shot on target.

The next game for the U23s is away on Saturday 5th October vs Mortimer at Alfred Palmer Memorial Recreation Ground, 14:00 KO and you can follow the game, as well as all U23s games, on twitter @RDGCityYouth.

Reading City U23s 3-0 Woodley United Royals

In what was the first game of the first Reading City doubleheader of the season the young Citizens lead the way with a comfortable 3-0 win vs Woodley United Royals.

Woodley United had the first chance of the game when the left-winger made his way past Marco De Sousa and only had the goalkeeper to beat, but Dan Pike made a crucial save to prevent a goal.

Reading City U23s took control of the game after the first chance from Woodley United Royals, but they were having lots of shots from outside the box which didn’t trouble the goalkeeper. Jehmeil McNeil and Bub Touray both had chances go directly at the goalkeeper, and Kris Tuffour showed good strength leading up to his shot but failed to hit the target.

When the Citizens did get the ball into the box, they looked threatening. Nathan Jones crossed from deep on the right side, and it went past all the Woodley United defenders to Harry Peters who was at the back post where a half volley fell nicely for him, but it got blocked for a corner. From the corner, City had an attempt cleared off the line, and then Denis Haxhiu had a shot from the rebound saved, it was the best chance to score of the game for the home side so far.

Getting the ball into the box is what got Reading City U23s the opener. Jerry Fomboua put a cross into the danger area that went passed all the Woodley United defenders again, Harry Peters sprinted towards the back post unmarked and tapped the ball into the goal to give his side the lead. Reading City 1-0 Woodley United Royals.

It looked like Jehmeil McNeil was going to double the lead only minutes after when he shot from the edge of the box and the goalkeeper saved it awkwardly.

Towards the end of the first half, Woodley United Royals had a few chances to score. They had two corners with five minutes left of the half, the first was punched out by Dan Pike, the second went to the back post for a free header, but the player couldn’t direct the ball goalwards and instead saw it go well over the bar. Then with only a minute to go the left-winger decided to have a go at goal from very far out, the ball moved awkwardly in the air but luckily for Dan Pike the ball just went over the bar.

At half time the hosts had the lead, and it was a deserved lead as Woodley United struggled to get anything going in the first half with Reading City keeping the ball well and having more shots at goal. Woodley had to change something to have any chance of getting back into the game.

Woodley United Royals started much better in the second half and kept City U23s defending well into their half. They had an excellent chance to score as one of their midfielders got past a couple of tackles and got into the box, he put a shot across goal, but it went wide.

However, the positive start from the visitors was put to an end when Reading City U23s were awarded a penalty as Marco De Sousa got into the box and was going to put a cross into the corridor of uncertainty from the byline, but got tugged back by a Woodley player, and the referee awarded a penalty. Kris Tuffour took the penalty and doubled the hosts lead comfortably putting the shot into the bottom right corner. Reading City U23s 2-0 Woodley United Royals.

Reading City U23s could have had multiple chances one on one with the goalkeeper in the second half but were getting caught offside over and over again as they weren’t timing their runs correctly or were holding onto the ball before passing for too long.

Marco De Sousa did time his run correctly though when Kris Tuffour played one of his trademark long balls from midfield which unleashes the attack. De Sousa was racing for the ball against the goalkeeper and was beaten to it by the latter by half a second otherwise it would have been 3-0.

It was 3-0 only minutes after when Mohammed Drammeh Kabba added to his goalscoring tally as he put the ball around the goalkeeper in a one on one after getting past one defender to get into the box. Reading City 3-0 Woodley United Royals.

M.D.Kabba had a chance to double his goals on the day just after his first goal when Marco De Sousa played him through into a one on one with the goalkeeper, but he put it at the goalkeeper in a situation when it was probably harder to miss. Fortunately, the game was already wrapped up.

With this victory, Reading City U23s are in 3rd place on ten points from five games in the Thames Valley Premier League and are unbeaten in the league since a disappointing loss against Westwood Wanderers on the opening day.

The next game is on Saturday 28th September away against Wraysbury Village as City U23s look to continue their incredible form.

Reading City U23s 2-3 Didcot Town Development

It was a heartbreaking defeat on a sweltering afternoon at Rivers for Reading City U23s. The Citizens troubles in front of goal continued as they struggled to convert chances into goals, it’s becoming the story of the season for the Citizens so far.

Reading City U23s were second best at the start as Shomari Bridgewater was struggling to deal with the Didcot right-winger who was pacy and skilful. He created some chances early for his side as he forced two saves out of Matt Hill in his first start of the season in Jordi Wilson’s absence.

Another great chance for Didcot to take the lead came in the 27th minute when the left-winger broke away from his man, but put his shot across goal and out for a goal kick.

Just after that chance, the referee called for a water break, and the managers had an opportunity to talk to their players.

That quick team talk must have worked for Reading City as shortly after City were passing the ball around nicely and ended up finding M.D.Kabba. Kabba dribbled down the left side and looked sure to score before he scuffed his shot. Shortly after Jehmeil McNeil received the ball from a free-kick, he dribbled out of the box to get away from the cluster of players in the box before he had a shot at goal, but the goalkeeper saved it.

However, straight after that chance Didcot counter-attacked down the right, the right-winger got past Shomari Bridgewater and was in the box on the byeline, Bridgewater took him down, and the referee awarded a penalty. The penalty got converted comfortably, and Didcot Town had the lead. Reading City U23s 0-1 Didcot Town Development.

So the visitors had the lead going into the break which was narrowly deserved. The first half consisted of a lot of battling in midfield to win the ball and create good chances for the forwards of either side, but no team managed to come out on top of that battle.

Reading City started strong in the second half. Jehmeil McNeil was doing some incredible hold-up play dropping a bit deeper which allowed Harry Peters and M.D.Kabba to bomb down the wings.

Early in the second half Jehmeil McNeil won the ball from the Didcot defence; he played a pass for M.D.Kabba. Kabba had a shot which went past the keeper, but a Didcot defender recovered in time to stop the ball on the line. Some of the City players appealed for a goal, but the referee had no goal-line technology to call upon here, don’t quite have the budget for that yet. Only a minute later though goal-line technology wasn’t needed when Jehmeil McNeil held the ball up before passing to Harry Peters. Peters cut inside and unleashed a shot from the edge of the D, and the ball flew into the bottom right corner to tie the game. Reading City U23s 1-1 Didcot Town Development.

The Citizens were almost behind again minutes later. Didcot had a free-kick which fell for a player who had room to shoot from close, but they lacked composure, and the shot went over.

Another one on one chance for M.D.Kabba came soon after on the left, but he put the shot missed the target. He was struggling on his less favourable side of the pitch and using his weaker foot.

However, it was Didcot who took the lead, the goal came totally against the run of play and came surrounded by controversy. The left-winger headed the ball at goal before the striker redirected it past the keeper who was rooted to his spot as he was prepared to save the first header. Reading City U23s 1-2 Didcot Town Development. There was bewilderment from the City players and bench that the goal hadn’t been disallowed for offside and they appealed with the referee, but he dismissed the appeals. Maybe if the referee had some linesman with him, it would’ve been a different decision.

Bub Touray was running the midfield for City defensively and offensively and was almost rewarded for this when he had a half volley on the edge of the box well saved by the Didcot goalkeeper.

There was a moment of panic for City fans when Didcot had a free kick on the edge of the box put past the post by Matt Hill for a corner. Nathan Jones cleared the ball away from goal from the corner, but it went out for another. Matt Hill made a tremendous save to push the ball over the bar from the next corner. The hosts cleared the danger from the third corner in what was a nailbiting minute or two.

In the last ten minutes, Reading City U23s were in complete control, as they had been for the majority of the half, Kris Tuffour won a header from a corner and headed it down, but the bounce made the ball go just over the bar.

City looked destined to score and did so with not long left of the ninety minutes. Kris Tuffour sent a ball out right for Bub Touray who got away from his man and showed the composure City had lacked when they’d got to these areas and put his shot under the goalkeeper to tie the game. The Citizens had all the momentum. Reading City U23s 2-2 Didcot Town Development.

The home side thought they’d won it in stoppage time when substitute Ollie Wilson had a shot and hit the near post, the ball then travelled along the goal-line to keep the game level. The City players and coaches couldn’t believe that they hadn’t taken the lead.

City U23s were punished late on for not taking their chances. They were trying to build from the back and ended up giving away a free-kick. The ball got crossed into the box, Matt Hill came to claim the ball but couldn’t quite get it. The ball then went towards goal and was put into an empty goal to give Didcot the win and put them through to the next round of the BBFA Senior Trophy. Reading City U23s 2-3 Didcot Town Development.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Reading City U23s as they were creating the better chances but lacked composure to put those chances away. However, there were reasons to be optimistic as they had been the better side versus a team 2nd in the league above, and there were some great performances from Bub Touray and Jehmeil McNeil before he came off among others.

Reading City U23s are back in action next Saturday in the Thames Valley Premier League at home when they play Woodley United Royals at Rivers at 2pm. Both the first team and the U23s are at home on the same day for the first time this season, and it would be great to see some Reading City fans at Rivers before going to the first team game.

Abingdon United 3-1 Reading City

It was a difficult result to take on a hot Saturday afternoon at The Northcourt for the Citizens as they were knocked out of the FA Vase by Abingdon United in the 2nd Qualifying round.

Abingdon United took an early lead when the ball was crossed in from the right side, and a late runner headed the ball into the left side of the goal to give the hosts an early lead. Abingdon United 1-0 Reading City.

Abingdon looked to increase their lead with a long-range shot, but it was easily saved by Charlie York to deny the home side doubling their lead.

Only minutes after that chance York took a short goal kick to Steve Lee who dribbled the ball upfield a bit as nobody closed him down, he saw the opportunity to send a direct ball for left winger Mo Davies to chase and the pass was played to perfection as it went over the right-back. Davies cut inside dropping one defender and got past another and was by the penalty spot with only the goalkeeper to beat and put it past him to tie up the game. Abingdon United 1-1 Reading City.

Reading City had the momentum following the goal and Davies played an excellent low cross in for Matt Stockill, but he couldn’t direct his shot goalwards, and the ball went wide of the left post.

Abingdon almost retook the lead not long before halftime after an incredible cross from a corner looked goal-bound, but Charlie York made a good save to keep the sides level going into the break.

At halftime, you could tell there were goals to come in the second half, potentially for both sides as either side could have had the lead going into the break.

Only ten minutes into the second half City received their first sin bin of the season as Austin Best got sent to the sidelines for dissent. Just after the sin bin, Abingdon United were awarded a penalty as Devonn Reid went to chest the ball, but it hit his upper arm and the linesman flagged for a penalty. The City players vented their frustrations with the referee as they believed it was not intentional, but the referee ignored the appeals. The penalty was only just put away into the bottom left corner as Charlie York got a hand to it, but unfortunately for City, it wasn’t quite strong enough to keep the ball out of the net. Abingdon United 2-1 Reading City.

Reading City almost pulled the game back to 2-2 after some nice passing play. De Rama played it to Furness who passed it up to Cashin-Murray who put his shot from the edge of the D just past the post.

Reading City were almost caught out on the counter by Abingdon United as they committed men forward looking for an equaliser, but Arthur Furness defended well, and the Abingdon forward put his shot well over the bar.

Reading City were denied another goal after a perfect cross from the right-wing by Mo Davies for substitute McKoy Palmer to head towards goal, but the Abingdon goalkeeper pulled off a great save to keep his side in the lead.

Reading City looked like they were going to be the ones to take the lead, but Abingdon scored again after an Abingdon substitute timed his run well so that he was played onside by Arthur Furness and he was through with only York to beat, but York closed him down and saved his shot. The save sent the ball to another Abingdon player though, he went past York who was outside his box now, he passed it to the left-winger for Abingdon who was left open, and he finished it past the Reading City defender on the line to send his side through to the next round of the FA Vase. Abingdon United 3-1 Reading City.

A disappointing week for Reading City as they got knocked out of two cups. Hopefully, they can turn it around next week vs Lydney Town (21/9/19 3pm KO) in the league who currently sit 3rd with a game in hand on us.

Reading City 1-3 Penn Tylers Green

City played a rotated side which saw four City U23s start in the defeat to Penn Tylers Green in the Banbury Litho Floodlit Cup. Penn Tylers Green came into this game off of a 6-0 win against our ground sharers Woodley United.

City’s opponents got off to such a quick start that not everyone had arrived at the ground yet as they opened the scoring only 30 seconds into the game. City lost the ball straight from kick-off and Penn Tylers Green took the ball out to the right side, their right-winger, number 12, crossed the ball in and Rashid Hamid flicked the ball on to Dean Allen who’s header didn’t have much on it but made the ball hit the back of Marco De Sousa, who was trying to clear the initial header, and went in for an own goal, Reading City 0-1 Penn Tylers Green.

Minutes later McKoy Palmer dribbled forward for City but had to wait for support, he pulled the ball back for Kris Tuffour who had a shot first time just over the top left corner. Another chance came soon after, Josh Blackwood carried the ball out of defence and passed the ball to McKoy Palmer who set himself and had a shot from outside the box which forced the keeper into a good save down to his right.

McKoy Palmer got forward once again, this time down the right, the Penn Tylers Green defence was struggling to deal with him, he took his shot from just outside the box but saw his shot hit the side netting.

Although City had some good chances in the 18th minute Penn Tylers Green were awarded a penalty when Jerry Fomboua pushed Joe Dulieu in the box and he went down. Striker Dean Allen put the penalty away into the bottom right corner, Reading City 0-2 Penn Tylers Green.

City cut Penn Tylers Green’s lead down to one goal ten minutes later when Aaron De Rama squared the ball to McKoy Palmer, Palmer fake shotted to come back inside onto his left foot and fired a shot at goal past the goalkeeper who couldn’t get down quick enough to make a save, Reading City 1-2 Penn Tylers Green.

Although City were having the better of the chances they weren’t keeping the ball particularly well and struggled to completely take control of the game.

Another great chance fell for City when Marco De Sousa played a great through ball for McKoy Palmer but the keeper redirected the pass only as far as Mo Davies who looped a shot into the almost empty net but it went just over.

Minutes later Penn Tylers Green almost scored an own goal when Michael Duffy tried to pass the ball back to the keeper who came to collect the ball at the same time causing the ball to run past the keeper towards goal, Mo Davies and Penn Tylers Green keeper Sam Butcher were in a race for the ball, the keeper won the race though and cleared the danger.

Penn Tylers Green went into half-time with the lead at the break as they took their chances and City didn’t take theirs despite having more of them.

City started much brighter than they did in the first half. Aaron De Rama almost caught Butcher off guard with a shot from range which he fumbled but recovered quick enough to prevent any City player turning in a rebound. Only a minute later, McKoy Palmer had a free-kick tipped past the post with a strong save.

In the 55th minute, Reading City had a big penalty appeal when Mo Davies was taken out by the keeper, however, the referee somehow gave nothing. The ball fell to Jerry Fomboua as Mo Davies was down but his shot was cleared off the goalline and Aaron De Rama put his follow up shot wide.

The chances died down for the Citizens as they couldn’t find an opening in the Penn Tylers Green defence.

In the 71st minute, Marco De Sousa chased down a great through ball from McKoy Palmer, he got a stronger touch of the ball than the goalkeeper but the ball ran too far away from him allowing Dean Munday to clear the ball for a corner.

With ten minutes to go Penn Tylers Green had their only chance of the 2nd half when a free-kick from the halfway line was sent into the box. Dean Munday headed the ball towards goal and hit the post as Jordi Wilson scrambled across goal to try and make a save Tom Stables headed the rebound towards goal although it looked like he didn’t know much about it, Josh Blackwood tried to clear the ball but didn’t get good enough contact on it and the ball went in, Reading City 1-3 Penn Tylers Green.

That’s how the game ended at the Rivermoor, Reading City had the better of the chances throughout the game but weren’t able to finish their chances like Penn Tylers Green were and they were ultimately punished by this with a defeat.

Reading City move onto another cup game on Saturday 14th September away to Abingdon United in the FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round.

Reading City U23s 3-2 Mortimer

Reading City U23s moved to 7 points from 4 games in the Thames Valley Premier League after a tightly fought win vs Mortimer FC in a game which was potentially overshadowed by some of the referee’s decisions.

Mortimer got off to a strong start with a shot going wide for them in under a minute and another shot went over the bar into the hedge and became the first lost ball of the season! A lot of Mortimer’s chances were coming from the right side where their pacy right-winger was causing issues for Reading City’s defence.

Reading City had an incredible chance to take the lead though in the 8th minute when left-back Marco De Sousa put a great cross towards the back post, Harry Peters headed the ball back across goal for Jehmeil McNeil whose header went just over the crossbar. If the header was on target Reading City would probably have taken a 1-0 lead.

But Mortimer were the team that opened the scoring in the 11th minute. The left-back got the ball outside the box after City cleared the ball from a corner. He fired a shot low towards goal but the ball took a deflection and looped over the goalkeeper to give the visitors the lead, Reading City U23s 0-1 Mortimer FC

The lead didn’t last long though as Reading City scored three minutes later. Tyrese Weeks dribbled down the left side getting past his man, as he does so often, and crossed the ball in for striker Jehmeil McNeil to tap the ball into the goal and tie the game, Reading City U23s 1-1 Mortimer FC

Reading City continued to go close as Harry Peters had a shot from range barely miss the target. Only minutes after that another clear cut chance came for City when Tyrese Weeks got in the box from the left-wing and had a shot saved well by the Mortimer goalkeeper, the ball rebounded to Kris Tuffour, who had an incredible opportunity to give his side the lead but his shot cannoned off the bar and the score remained level.

Mortimer punished City for their missed chances as they retook the lead. The Mortimer left-back got the ball from a clearance again and wasn’t closed down quick enough which allowed him to cross the ball into the Mortimer number 10 who headed the ball into the top left corner, Reading City U23s 1-2 Mortimer FC.

The chances died down for a while after Mortimer retook the lead and it looked like the visiting side were going to go into the break with the lead. That was until centre back Denis Haxhiu played a sensational ball from the Reading City defence over the top of the Mortimer defence, Tyrese Weeks reached the pass before the chasing defenders and was in a 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper and he finished his chance to make the scoreline tied again, Reading City U23s 2-2 Mortimer FC.

Kris Tuffour had another chance to score just before the end of the half when Harry Peters swung a cross from the right side to the City U23s captain who timed his run very well to arrive at the back post untracked, he headed the ball towards goal but hit the left post this time, he couldn’t believe he’d missed such a good chance again.

The sides went in level at the break but they both squandered chances that would have given them the lead at the break, especially City.

Reading City U23s had a chance to take the lead for the first time in the game in the early minutes of the second half when Harry Peters intercepted a pass along the backline and played a through ball for Jehmeil McNeil whose shot was going towards the bottom left corner but was redirected wide by the keeper’s save. McNeil had another chance a few minutes later when he timed his run to perfection to keep the linesman’s flag down, he tried to put his shot round the right of the keeper but was denied by the right post to the disbelief of all City supporters as we’d now hit every post.

In the 54th minute, Mortimer right-winger was going down the right side but was fouled by Tyron Bah, the winger retaliated by pushing Tyron and after some shoving and arguing from the Mortimer winger the referee gave him a red card. A yellow card was given to Reading City captain Kris Tuffour who made sure his side didn’t retaliate and that any arguing was directed at him instead of his teammates and this resulted in him getting a card.

Following the red card, Reading City were in control of possession but couldn’t find a final ball that would give them the lead against 10 man Mortimer. It looked like Reading City U23s weren’t going to find a way through and the game was going to end 2-2. However, with ten minutes left of the game City found the breakthrough they’d been looking for the whole of the 2nd half and the substitutes were the difference-maker. Ezio Touray let the ball run past him and the Mortimer backline for Mohammed Drammeh Kabba to get away from the Mortimer players, he put his shot around the right side of the goalkeeper and this time we weren’t denied by the post and instead we saw the ball hit the back of the net and City were in the lead for the first time in the game, Reading City U23s 3-2 Mortimer FC.

It was a nervy last ten minutes plus the six minutes of added time due to an injury and the red card. Mortimer had a big appeal for a penalty with minutes to go when Bubacarr Touray made a tackle in the box but the referee dismissed the appeals. City had a chance to make it 4-2 with what would have been an incredible goal as Kris Tuffour and Mohammed Drammeh Kabba worked the ball down the right with some great passing play, Kris received it on the edge of the box, where we’ve seen him be dangerous already this season, but his shot went just over the top left corner this time.

Mortimer FC started to get impatient and their challenges became quite rash resulting in yellow cards for their number 4 and 9 in added time.

It was a relieving three points for City as they managed to get the win while missing some key players and after missing some great chances on a handful of occasions.

Reading City U23s now have 2 wins from the last 2 games and 7 points from 4 which puts them up to 3rd in the league now.

Next game is on Saturday 14th September vs Didcot Town Development in round 1 of the BBFA Senior Trophy.

You can follow along with all U23s games on twitter @RDGCityFCYouth

Woodcote 0-3 Reading City U23s

Reading City U23s picked up their first 3 points of the Thames Valley Premier league season on a chilly evening in Woodcote against a good Woodcote team who finished 3rd last season and had won both of their opening games to the season.

It was a promising start from City U23s as they were playing in the opposition half for the majority of the first 30 minutes. Jehmeil McNeil saw a shot go just wide of the post in the first 9 minutes. The Citizens had several good passages of play but struggled to find that final ball.

The good play from Reading City U23s was rewarded with a goal in the 24th minute when City counter-attacked down the left. Tyrese Weeks and Shomari Bridgewater played a great one-two with Bridgewater’s pass finding Weeks in space to put a cross into the box. The cross caused issues for Woodcote and the goalkeeper ended up turning it into his goal surrounded by players to give the visitors a deserved lead, Woodcote FC 0-2 Reading City U23s.

There were multiple chances for City to extend their lead with two very notable ones falling for striker Jehmeil McNeil. McNeil had a great one on one chance with the Woodcote goalkeeper but he tripped on the ball which allowed the opposition defence time to recover and clear the pressure. Another great chance came in the 35th minute when McNeil got on the end of a long ball that went over the opposition’s defence and he was in another 1 on 1 chance, all signs pointed to a goal but the goalkeeper did well to make the save; the save wasn’t held though and instead was rebounded to Tyrese Weeks who’s shot was also parried by the keeper, who did well to recover quickly from the first save; this time the ball fell for McNeil who had a chance to redeem himself for his earlier miss with a second attempt at goal, but the defence had retreated in time for one of them to head the ball off of the line and subsequently clear the danger.

Woodcote got on the ball late in the half when City started playing high, long passes instead of keeping it on the floor which allowed the taller Woodcote side to intercept these passes. Although they got more of the ball they struggled to create any significant chances. The closest Woodcote came to a goal in the first half was with 3 minutes to go until half time when they had a free-kick go wide of the right post.

Reading City U23s went in at the break with a well-deserved lead but had reason to be dissatisfied as they should have gone in with a bigger lead.

Woodcote started the 2nd half strongly and had a shot almost dip over City goalkeeper Jordi Wilson, but it was just over hit and went over the bar. Wilson was put into action only a couple of minutes later when Woodcote had a powerful shot from close range prevented by a good save from the goalkeeper.

Tensions rose in the 2nd half between both sides which resulted in yellow cards for two Woodcote players and one City U23 player.

Both sides struggled to find the final ball again which would allow them to score for a lot of the second half. The most noticeable chance during the middle part of the half came when Harry Peters cut in from the right onto his left foot and fired a shot at goal, but it was blocked.

After some substitutions, City grabbed another goal started by another beautiful ball down the left touchline by Shomari Bridgewater to Tyron Bah, who had moved from right back to left-wing, who spotted Kris Tuffour with room on the edge of the box, he cut the ball back to the captain who placed his shot into the bottom right corner and double the visitors lead much to the elation of Deano and the travelling fans, Woodcote FC 0-2 Reading City U23s.

It was only 3 minutes later when Kris Tuffour found himself in pretty much the same position as he was for his first goal, he received the ball there, this time from the right, and put it away in almost identical fashion into the bottom right corner and seal the victory for Reading City U23s, Woodcote FC 0-3 Reading City U23s.

A very deserved three points for City U23s and hopefully the start of a long winning run. Another clean sheet as well for Jordi Wilson who was reliable as always when called upon and another promising performance up top where we could have scored even more goals.

The next game for the U23s is on Saturday 7th September at home for the first time this season vs Mortimer FC. You can follow every U23s game live on twitter @RDGCityYouth

Westwood Wanderers 2-1 Reading City U23s

Reading City U23s kicked off their Thames Valley Premier League season on Wednesday night away to Westwood Wanderers, formerly Westwood United, who finished 6th last season.

It wasn’t the best start for the City U23s as Westwood Wanderers found the opening goal after just six minutes. The right-winger got in behind the City left-back Shomari Bridgewater and was able to put across into the back post where there were Westwood Wanderers players lining up to get on the end of it. Number 2 for Westwood received the ball and had time to get the ball under control before putting the ball past Jordi Wilson to give his side the lead, 1-0.

Only four minutes later Westwood had a chance to double their lead after a free-kick from around the halfway line was put into the Reading City U23s box, it was then headed across the box to Westwood’s number 3 who fortunately for City put his shot over.

Reading City U23s were struggling to get a foothold in the game and the defence were having to deal with the direct balls from Westwood being carried by the wind.

The best chance of the half for City came from a good run cutting inside from winger Harry Peters which created space on the right for Marco De Sousa. Peters passed it out to De Sousa who fired his shot across goal forcing a good save out of the Westwood Wanderers’ goalkeeper.

City had a decent spell on the ball in the middle of the half but De Sousa’s chance was the only one that troubled Westwood Wanderers.

The scoreline remained the same going into halftime with Westwood definitely the better side but both sides struggled to create any good chances. There was a lot that could be improved in the 2nd half for both sides.

It was a very lively start from City after a halftime team talk from Sam Woodruff and Darren Seal which would foreshadow a great half from the visitors. De Sousa troubled Westwood again as he had a shot go barely over. City started with a higher tempo than the first half which was helping to unlock the pace of the City U23s.

Ten minutes into the half City had a breakthrough when captain Kris Tuffour played a beautiful long ball from midfield to pacy left-winger Tyrese Weeks who got in a 1 on 1 with the Westwood goalkeeper and finished with finesse to give City a deserved goal after a strong start to the 2nd half.

Weeks had another chance only a couple of minutes when he received the ball outside the box after a poor clearance from a City corner. The ball settled nicely for Weeks to hit it on the half volley but saw his shot miss the target.

The roles had been reversed in the 2nd half as it was City in complete control this half and Westwood trying to create chances from the little amount of the ball they could get.

In the 63rd minute Westwood doubled their lead, a cross from the right-hand side went towards goal and the ball just went through Jordi Wilson’s hands for an unfortunate fluke goal which came completely against the run of play, 2-1.

Reading City U23s had a clear cut chance almost straight from the restart when Harry Peters got in a 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper but took too long to get his shot away which allowed the defence to recover and block the shot which went under the goalkeeper.

The citizens were really pushing for that tying goal and even went to three at the back to get as many men forward as possible. They deserved a goal for the great 2nd half performance they had put in.

After pushing all half City had a chance in what was pretty much the last play of the game. A corner from City was poorly cleared and striker Jehmeil McNeillwent and retrieved the ball, he saw a gap open up and drove a shot low at the bottom right corner only for the Westwood goalkeeper to make the save and make sure his side got an opening day win.

It was a frustrating defeat for the City U23s who definitely deserved something from the game. Although they lost the 2nd half performance showed promise and reasons to be optimistic for the long season ahead.

Reading City U23s 5-1 Eldon Celtic

Reading City U23s had their last friendly before they kicked off their Thames Valley Premier League campaign vs Eldon Celtic in what was always going to be a rough match but one that would help City prepare for similar teams in the TVPL.

It was a slow start from City as Eldon kept possession well which made it hard for City to get out of their own half in the first 15-20 minutes. Eldon only got one really good chance from this spell however, the striker got on the end of a long ball from midfield but the City keeper did well to come out and close the angles which forced the striker to put it over the bar.

Reading City started to get a foothold in the game though with good use of the flanks. It was the use of the flanks that got them a chance as Bobbie was out on the left, Kris found him with a through ball. Bobbie then looked to go around the keeper but got brought down by the keeper and the referee awarded a penalty. Kris calmly put the penalty away into the bottom right hand corner to give City the lead, 1-0.

It was only three minutes later when City striker Jehmeil chased down a long ball and got in behind the Eldon defence, the goalkeeper came out but Jehmeil kept his composure and went round him to slot it into an empty net, 2-0.

Bobbie had a chance to double his goals tally for the night in the 37th minute after a cut back from Kris but his shot from just outside the box went over due to him slipping when he took the shot.

Reading City grabbed their 3rd goal of the game with a great team goal. The play started from their own 18 yard box with the defence, they passed their way up the field and the ball ended up on the left and a low cross was put in and Jehmeil was there to tap it in, 3-0.

It wasn’t the best start to the second half for City when Eldon Celtic were awarded a penalty only five minutes into the half. Mo lunged in and it was a poor tackle that brought down the right winger. City were lucky however as the Eldon Celtic penalty taker put the penalty wide of the left post and the keeper went the correct way looking like he would have saved it even if it was on target.

Another long ball from deep by City for Jehmeil to chase and he did so again, he cut back to lose his defender outside the box and had a go at goal but the ball fired just over the bar.

Eldon Celtic were trying to cause trouble in the second half with long balls, their number 14 continually looked to switch play with a long ball to the left winger but the defence were dealing with it well.

The best football of the game from City came in the 69th minute when they were passing it up the field with some beautiful one touch football from midfield, the great passing play ended up with substitute George on the right but he couldn’t put his shot away but it definitely deserved a goal.

Eldon pulled a goal back with 15 minutes to go, the left winger had a shot hit the post and it deflected to one of their midfielders who put it into an almost empty net due to the keeper going out to try and shut down the first shot.

City stopped Eldon’s potential for momentum quickly though, Tyrese ran down the left and crossed it in to Harry who put his shot into the top right

Eldon’s best chance came in the 85th minute when their right winger put a low cross in which passed through everyone to their left winger, he hit it first time but the City goalkeeper did incredibly to get across and make the save. The Reading City keeper had little to do but when he was called upon did well to keep the ball out of his net.

City added their 5th when Bobbie received the ball and decided to have a go in the last play of the game, he hit it and the ball sailed into the top right to the elation of his teammates.

City performed well against a rough and loud side in Eldon Celtic and will look to continue their good form going into the TVPL season.

Windsor 0-3 Reading City

Windsor came into this game with an interim player-manager after their manager resigned earlier this week. Meanwhile, Reading City manager Simon Johnson looked to continue his sides great form and make it three wins from three.

Reading City had the first chance of the game as Josh Blackwood played a long ball to Khalid Simmo who passed it to Matt Stockill who had his shot blocked, Khalid Simmo followed up with another shot but it also got blocked.

Reading City were causing the Windsor defence problems in the early parts of the first half. Devonn Reid pushed forward from left back to put a great cross in for Matt Stockill who headed just over the bar.

A few minutes later there was a penalty appeal for Reading City as Jerry Fomboua had the ball on the right-hand side, he cut inside the box at the byline getting past his man, as he got in the box he got taken down from behind and there were appeals from the players for a penalty but the referee ignored the appeals and let play continue.

Windsor’s first big chance of the game came 20 minutes into the game when Jake Solobak pushed forward past the Reading City defence and it was a 2v2. Solobak drove into the box and looked to square it to Lazarczuk but Austin Best blocked the pass and Charlie York got to the ball before Lazarczuk who would have made it 1-0.

Ten minutes later Charlie York was called into action again when Windsor midfielder Ben Smyth had a shot from outside the box well saved by the Reading City goalkeeper.

Reading City were starting to have lots of long-range shots that weren’t challenging the Windsor goalkeeper until Matt Stockill got the ball from midfielder Dan Davies and had an attempt at goal from just outside the box but the post denied him from giving the visitors the lead.

The final big chance of the first half came just before half time when McKoy Palmer cut inside from the left and drove a shot low but the keeper saved it for a corner. Matt Stockill put the corner in, the Windsor goalkeeper came out to try and catch the cross but missed the ball which allowed Steve Lee to head it, but his header went just over.

The first half was fairly even with both sides having even amounts of the ball and both sides had some good chances to give their sides the lead but it was 0-0 at half time.

It took a while for a big chance to come for either side in the second half but it was Windsor who got that chance. They broke through the Reading City defence and were in a 1 on 1 with Charlie York, but York was as reliable as ever and pulled off a great save to keep it level. Reading City countered quickly from that save, McKoy Palmer raced down the other end of the pitch looking to give Reading City the lead, he was in a 1 on 1 with Whiter but put his shot over the bar and it remained 0-0.

Right on the hour mark Reading City had a corner after some confusion as the referee didn’t see his linesman award it. Reading City finally got to take the corner and it was worth the wait as the tall centre back Steve Lee arrived late at the back post to head it in and give Reading City the lead, 0-1.

Just a couple of minutes later Windsor looked to tie up the game when substitute Jay O’Connell crossed in for Lazarczuk who headed towards goal but Charlie York kept it out of his net with a good save.

After that, it was Reading City with a chance when Khalid Simmo took the ball off of his teammate Joe Bainbridge and pushed into the box only to be taken down and win his side a penalty. Devonn Reid stepped up to take his second penalty this season, he sent the keeper the wrong way and doubled the lead, 0-2.

With 15 minutes to go a long ball was played forward by Reading City for speedy winger Khalid Simmo to chase, it was a race between Simmo and Whiter, the Windsor goalkeeper, which Whiter won. Whiter looked to dribble the ball out only for Matt Stockill to tackle him but his tackle gave the ball back to Windsor who did well to pass it around so that Reading City didn’t get an attempt at the empty goal.

A poor goal kick by Windsor fell nicely for Matt Stockill who had nobody close to him, he set himself up and had a go from about 35 yards out, the ball sailed into the top right of the goal for an early contender for goal of the season and the away fans erupted, 0-3.

In the last ten minutes Windsor lost their heads. Lazarczuk was going to get a yellow card but after mouthing off to the referee he changed his mind and gave him a red card, Windsor were down to 10 men. It was only two minutes later when the referee got the red card out again when Gould put a very nasty challenge in on Dan Davies and then mouthed off to the referee who displayed the red card, Windsor were down to 9.

Into added time Reading City substitute Tom Browne crossed from deep for Steve Lee who headed just over looking for his second of the game.

The FA Cup Extra-Preliminary ended Windsor 0-3 Reading City. City look very strong so far this season and will want to go as far in the FA Cup as possible.