A look ahead to Wednesday’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy tie against Charlton
The best-ever record in the group stage of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy… three wins from three, 19 goals scored, and just two let in.
But we’re back on an even keel in the knock-outs. 90 minutes of football decide which team goes through to the last 16, and which team exits the competition.
And it’s Charlton Athletic who visit the Select Car Leasing Stadium – if there’s nothing to choose between the teams at the end of normal times, it’ll be straight to spot kicks to try to secure passage to the next round.
Important info
Only the Sir John Madejski stand is open for this game, with unreserved seating in operation. Gates will open at 6pm, one hour before kick-off, rather than the usual 90 minutes before.
Tickets
Tickets for this fixture can be purchased online, over the phone, or in-person from 4pm on matchday at the Select Car Leasing Stadium Ticket Office.
We encourage supporters to purchase their tickets in advance for this match, with buying on the day subject to an increased matchday price from 3pm on matchday.
Travel
Parking is available in the Red Zone (Car Park 2 – Family Zone, and Car Park 3), as well as Orange (Accessible) Car Park.
Only the F1 Station Shuttle will be in operation, with more information on their website below.
RoyalsTV
This fixture will be available to stream on RoyalsTV in the UK and Ireland, as well as overseas for fans not able to make it to the match.
A Video Match Pass costs £10 and will include a live stream of the match along with commentary from BBC Radio Berkshire. For full info about RoyalsTV passes and to purchase, use the button below.
See our available subscriptions
REMINDER
The support of our fans has been outstanding over recent times, and it is recognised by all players and staff.
Reading Football Club are responsible for fan behaviour both home and away. As stated before, we must remind fans that it is illegal to enter the field of play or to throw missiles of any description onto the pitch.
We are grateful for the voice of our fans, but any protests which disrupt a matchday will result in penalties and fines towards the club – which directly negatively impacts all of us.
Therefore, we plead with our supporters to be vocal, yet support us by not interrupting play.
Furthermore, we must remind supporters that carrying illegal items or entering the field play may result in a criminal record or a banning order.
Thank you for your support.
Monthly and Seasonal Passes are also available – audio subscriptions are available worldwide, while video subscriptions are only available outside the UK and Ireland.
How we got here
It all started down in Devon, when a dominant performance at Exeter left us on cloud nine. A young side triumphed 9-0, and then returned to Reading to beat Swindon 5-0 and ensuring our passage to the knock-outs. Arsenal U21, who had also defeated the other two sides, were also already through when we met them… and our 5-2 win against a young Gunners side which boasted the likes of Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson ensured we went through top of the group.
Charlton, meanwhile, left it until the last match to secure passage. A game that went to and fro at Crawley eventually ended 4-3 in the hosts’ favour; their second game saw them comfortably beat Aston Villa U21 4-2. And so it was a straight shoot-out at The Valley against Sutton United; they cruised to a 3-0 win to qualify as runners up.
There could be as many as four ex-Royals involved: Michael Hector, Sam Walker, Tennai Watson and Terrel Thomas all currently on the Charlton books.
One to watch: Miles Leaburn
One of four players to have started all three of the Addicks’ Trophy games so far this season, striker Leaburn has three goals to his name in this competition so far this season out of seven in all competitions.
The towering forward notched league goals in wins over Wycombe and Exeter, before rounding off their 4-0 win at the Royals’ expense when we suffered defeat at The Valley back in October.
Son of Charlton legend Carl Leaburn, 20-year-old Miles had represented Chelsea at youth level before making the cross-London switch in 2019. He found the net 13 times last season – his breakthrough campaign as a pro – and hit his 20th goal for the club against Cray Valley Paper Mills in the FA Cup last month.
Ref watch
Peter Wright takes charge of a Royals fixture for the second time – the only other occasion being our 1-0 defeat at Port Vale in the second weekend of the season. This will be his fifth time looking after an Addicks match, most recently when he awarded a 92nd minute penalty to allow them to draw 1-1 at Stevenage in September’s league encounter.
Stuart Kane and Shaun Farrer are the assistants, and Richie Watkins is the fourth official.
