Noel Hunt’s side make winning start to the season
Our Under-21 side got off to a winning start to the season in their return to Premier League 2, recording a 2-0 win against Stoke City at St George’s Park.
Goals either side of the break from trialist Jayden Wareham were enough to earn three points on Monday evening.
The first goal came before the quarter-hour mark, as a corner floated in eventually fell kindly for Wareham to convert inside the area.
Experienced stopper Dean Bouzanis lined up between the sticks in the first half and was relieved to see Nathan Lowe’s volley strike the crossbar; late in the half, he stood tall to deny D’Margio Wright-Phillips in a one-on-one.
Harvey Collins, on as a half-time sub, also made a cracking save to keep the lead intact when Tom Sparrow struck from close range.
Taylan Harris wasn’t quite able to convert when he aimed to capitalise on a Potters defensive mix-up… goalkeeper Blondy Nna Noukeu recovered well.
But ten minutes from time, Wareham finished a countering move. Sub Jeremiah Okine-Peters scampered down the Royals’ left and cut back for the forward to finish with a curling effort.
Stoke had a chance to halve the deficit late on through defender Ian Kanga, whose header was steered wide.
And so the Royals held on for the win and the points in PL2 on our return to top-tier action.
Full-time: Stoke City U21 0-2 Reading U21
Reading U21: Bouzanis (Collins HT), Abdel Salam, Paul, Stickland (Purcell 67), Maragh, Craig, Rushesha (Borgnis 67), Harris, Senga (Okine-Peters 40), Clarke, Wareham (Maudner 79).