A glance back at our results, graduates, opponents and more from the past ten years!
Our FA Youth Cup journey starts on Tuesday evening with a visit to Oxford City. A chance for our Under-18s to try to make inroads into the country’s premier youth competition.
For the first time in a long while, our senior team’s status as a League One club means that our Category One Academy enter in the first round.
The latest cohort will be using it as a platform to put in a performance under the floodlights, and to deliver the goods under pressure of knockout football. It is a path well-trodden; plenty have worn the hoops in this competition before and gone on to make senior appearances for the Royals!
Here’s a review of our record in the past ten years…
2022-23
Round 3: Everton 3-0 Reading
A difficult evening for the young Royals, who were drawn away against an Everton side which eventually finished 7th U18 Premier League (North) last season. Goalkeeper Tom Norcott had pulled off a few fantastic saves early on, but Francis Okoronkwo and Halid Djankpata got the Toffees into a two-goal lead before the break, and Owen Barker completed the scoring in the second half.
Class of 2022-23: Tom Norcott, Caylan Vickers.
2021-22
Round 3: Bromley 1-1 Reading (1-3 AET)
The Royals needed extra time to eventually overcome a lively Bromley side – the hosts had completed a miraculous stoppage-time turnaround to beat Forest Green in Round 2, and were determined to take another scalp. Princewill Ehibhatiomhan’s opener was cancelled out by Ben Krauhaus in the first half; in the 30 added minutes, Caylan Vickers was twice the provider as he supplied a corner for Louie Holzman to nod in, and then squared for Harrison Furlong to complete the scoring.
Round 4: Reading 1-3 Manchester United
The Royals trailed 3-0 at half-time in the next stage; a harsh reflection, having created the better chances. But United were clinical, and Kobbie Mainoo, Samuel Mather and Charlie McNeill all netted within a 15-minute period. The Red Devils – who had Alejandro Garnacho in the ranks – were pegged back to one late on by Aston Greaver’s smart finish from a set-piece. But we couldn’t complete a comeback.
Class of 2021-22: Kelvin Abrefa, Louie Holzman, Jack Senga, Jahmari Clarke, Caylan Vickers, Michael Stickland.
2020-21
Round 3: Reading 3-4 Aston Villa
A gruelling 90 minutes that summed up the rollercoaster that football can offer. Nahum Melvin-Lambert calmly slotted in early on, but Carney Chukwuemeka levelled. A brace from Brad Young – a penalty before half-time, and a close-range volley after the break, seemingly had the tie sewn up… only for Jahmari Clarke and Jordan Hamilton-Olise to score three minutes apart and level things up. But with extra-time looming, Louie Barry stole in at the back post to convert and send Villa through with 90+3’ on the clock.
Class of 2020-21: Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Tyrell Ashcroft, Michael Stickland, Nelson Abbey, Mamadi Camara, Nahum Melvin-Lambert, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, Lynford Sackey, Jahmari Clarke.
2019-20
Round 3: Reading 2-4 Crystal Palace
Another breathless game in RG2, where the visitors prevailed after being pegged back. Brandon Aveiro converted a low cross and Malachi Boateng converted a rebound to put Palace two up; quick feet and a smart finish by Lynford Sackey and a crisp volley from Claudio Osorio had us level at the break. But another well-worked move allowed Robert Street to finish in the second half, before Aveiro finished the scoring with a fine free-kick.
Class of 2019-20: Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Lynford Sackey, Jeriel Dorsett, Nelson Abbey, Oliver Pendlebury, Conor Lawless.
2018-19
Round 3: Cambridge United 1-3 Reading
Three fine goals secured a place in Round 4. Thierry Nevers finished off a passing move with a whipped, curling shot into the top corner, but Tom Dickens sent the U’s into the break level with a headed goal deep into added time. But Jack Nolan lashed a first-time strike midway through the second period, and a pinpoint free-kick from Michael Olise confirmed our win.
Round 4: Aston Villa 4-1 Reading
No such luck in the next stage. Colin Odutayo struck first for the Villans before Jacob Ramsey – who has gone on to make more than a century of senior appearances for the Villa senior side – grabbed a brace before the break. Shamar Moore offered a lifeline in the last ten minutes, but Tyreik Wright wrapped it up for Villa with two minutes to go.
Class of 2018-19: Oliver Pendlebury, Michael Olise, Conor Lawless, Claudio Osorio, Dejan Tetek.
2017-18
Round 3: Reading 2-1 Millwall
The start of a journey. Danny Loader’s opener, beating in the offside trap and finishing, was followed up by a well-steered strike by Ayo Faniyan. George Alexander bundled in for the visitors just before the break to halve the deficit. Reading midfielder Ethan Coleman and Lions man Lucas Sinclair both got shown the red card as part of a fracas, and Jordan Holsgrove saw a penalty saved. But 2-1 it ended.
Round 4: Charlton Athletic 3-3 Reading (3-4 AET)
Sheer drama in this one. Albie Morgan put the Addicks ahead from the penalty spot; Jordan Holsgrove levelled in first-half stoppage time. Samuel Nwosu and Alex Willis extended a two-goal advantage for the hosts… Ayo Faniyan grabbed one back, and Holsgrove converted an equaliser in the 94th minute. Then in extra time, Danny Loader danced through the defence and smashed in a winner via the post.
Round 5: Colchester United 1-4 Reading*
The U’s led initially as Callum Anderson hit the Royals on the break. But Danny Loader’s first goal – collecting, pirouetting, slotting in – got the scores level before half-time. Loader completed a hat-trick in the second period, scoring either side of a Jack Nolan goal. However, it was Colchester who would be handed the tie as it transpired that the Royals had fielded a player who was too young to be eligible. The journey ended.
Class of 2017-18: Andre Burley, Akinwale Odimayo, Tom Holmes, Danny Loader.
2016-17
Round 3: Reading 0-4 Manchester City
No shame in an early exit at the hands of a hugely talented Manchester City side. The goalscorers alone speak volumes about the task at hand – Brahim Diaz, now at Real Madrid, opened the scoring and Phil Foden added a second. Jadon Sancho and future Royal Tom Dele-Bashiru were also on the field for City, but it was Lucas Nmecha – now at Wolfsburg – who grabbed two more after the break.
Class of 2016-17: Teddy Howe, Ramarni Medford-Smith, Akinwale Odimayo, Danny Loader, Ben House.
2015-16
Round 3: Reading 1-1 Sheffield United (3-1 AET)
An adventure that started with a moment. And that moment was Gabriel Osho – now a Premier League player with Luton – converting a corner in stoppage time, cancelling our Connor Hall’s opener, and forcing an added 30. Sam Smith was fouled in the box – leading to Aaron Ramsdale’s dismissal – allowing Josh Barrett to score from the spot before Danny Loader sealed the deal with a late counter.
Round 4: Fulham 1-3 Reading
So onto Motspur Park – and another come-from-behind win. Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson curled Fulham ahead, but Luke Southwood saved Dennis Adeniran’s penalty. Then Tyler Frost levelled, but Josh Barrett missed a chance from the penalty spot. But Ryan East and Sam Smith each struck late on against 10-men Cottagers to book a trip to Molineux.
Round 5: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-3 Reading
The Royals went marching on in the Midlands. Josh Barrett twice put the ball on a plate for Sam Smith to convert from close range in the first half, and then the scoring was completed when Omar Richards slid a pass through for Barrett to add one for himself.
Quarter-final: Chelsea 2-1 Reading
The journey came to an end at Stamford Bridge. Luke Southwood ensured justice was done when he saved a wrongly awarded penalty which was taken by Tammy Abraham. But after half-time, Jay Dasilva and Abraham each got on the scoresheet. Tyler Frost missed a chance to grab one back as he crashed a penalty against the woodwork, but Axel Andresson did head in soon after. Southwood saved a second spot-kick in stoppage time, and Reading couldn’t quite earn an equaliser.
Class of 2015-16: Danny Loader, Gabriel Osho, Sam Smith, Josh Barrett, Luke Southwood, Axel Andresson, Ryan East, Omar Richards, Teddy Howe.
2014-15
Round 3: Arsenal 1-0 Reading
A tight affair which was decided from either spot at Meadow Park. Chris Willock was felled in the area midway through the second half to allow Arsenal captain Daniel Crowley to net from 12 yards… but when Jake Sheppard was chopped down late in stoppage time, Harry Cardwell fired his effort over as the Gunners progressed.
Class of 2014-15: Tennai Watson, Gabriel Osho, Andrija Novakovich.
2013-14
Round 3: Leeds United 1-3 Reading
The journey started with a visit to Leeds; Harry Cardwell’s fine finish was levelled by Eoghan Stokes. But Tariqe Fosu and Liam Kelly each grabbed goals to book a place in Round 4.
Round 4: Reading 2-2 Crewe Alexandra (3-3 AET, 4-2 pens)
And it required penalties to get past Crewe in RG2. Nana Owusu and Liam Kelly scored for the Royals; Callum Saunders levelled each time. Jack Stacey got our noses back in front, before Fraser Murdoch’s header took us to penalties. After all four Royals spot kicks were scored, Lewis Ward produced a save to send us through.
Round 5: Reading 3-0 Accrington Stanley
A simpler task next time out. Jack Stacey swept in just before half-time, and then each of Nana Owusu and Harry Cardwell converted in a dominant second half, sending us into the final eight.
Quarter-final: Reading 2-2 Liverpool (4-4 AET, 5-4 pens)
One of the most dramatic games ever seen in RG2. Harry Cardwell’s double had us cruising until the 83rd minute. But Jordan Williams scored from range, and Jordan Rossiter took us to extra time in the fourth added minute. Daniel Trickett-Smith and Harry Wilson each scored to put the Reds firmly in command… half time in extra time, ‘that’ speech from Eamonn Dolan. And the fight-back which saw De'Jaune Taylor-Crossdale and George McLennan each score to send it to penalties. Five pure penalties from the Royals; one missed from the Reds.
Semi-final: Reading 2-2 Fulham; Fulham 3-2 Reading
Over two legs, we were denied a place in the final. Rob Dickie and Tariqe Fosu had us ahead at the break in Reading; Emerson Hyndman replied from the spot and Patrick Roberts levelled. In West London, it was a hat-trick for Moussa Dembele which sent Fulham through… Fosu’s penalty and Jack Stacey’s strike looked like enough for extra-time, but the Cottagers forward grabbed his third in stoppage time to win it.
Class of 2013-14: Liam Kelly, Tariqe Fosu, Jack Stacey, Tennai Watson, Rob Dickie, Aaron Kuhl.