Heading East for Carabao Cup action
There's no rest off the back of Saturday's hard fought draw with Birmingham City, with Rubén Sellés' Royals set to take on Colchester United in Round One of the Carabao Cup this evening.
The 7.45pm kick off at the Jobserve Community Stadium with give the Royals faithful a second opportunity to see their team in competitive action this season, and they will be hoping for a similar performance to the 4-0 victory away at Millwall at the same stage last camapign.
Ahead of kick off, we've compiled all the key need-to-know information below:
TICKETS
Tickets went off sale through the Reading FC Ticket Office at 12 midday on Tuesday, however you can purchase from Colchester United on the day. Tickets can be purchased from a self-service machine at the Jobserve Community Stadium Club Shop, and supporters are advised to purchase early to avoid queues.
MATCH COVERAGE
The clash with the U's is being shown live on Sky Sports+, therefore Video Match Passes through RoyalsTV not available in the UK & Ireland.
If you're in these regions you can still listen to all of the action with an Audio Match Pass, which gives you access to BBC Radio Berkshire commentary for just £2.50. Monthly subscriptions are also available for £4.49 per month, or a seasonal package for £45.
International supporters can purchase RoyalsTV passes subject to which country they reside in. Full subscription details can be found below:
COMPETITION RULES
There is no extra time in this fixture, meaning should the scores be level at the end of 90 minutes, the tie will be settled with a penalty shoot-out.
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FAN BEHAVIOUR
Supporters are reminded that they do so as representatives of Reading Football Club, and their behaviour should replicate the values of the club. Anti-social behaviour, entering the field of play, and the use of pyrotechnics are just a few ways that supporters could be ejected from the stadium and potentially given a stadium ban. As the new season begins, we would encourage supporters to familiarise themselves with the expected fan behaviours below.
THE OPPOSITION
Colchester United go into Tuesday evening's game off the back of a 4-2 loss away at AFC Wimbledon in Saturday's opening day encounter. The U's had started the season in explosive fashion going 2-0 up in the first nine minutes of the season, but the Dons fought back to take all the spoils from the League Two tie.
Last term the Essex based side finished one place above the relegation zone in League Two, three points ahead of Sutton United and Forest Green Rovers. Danny Cowley's side had found themselves in the drop zone as late as the 6th April, however seven points from their final five games was enough to confirm survival.
Pre Season did see our hosts enjoy results that would suggest they could challenge further up the table this campaign. A 1-0 victory away at Millwall's New Den was followed up by a 6-0 thumping of Cambridge United at the Jobserve Community Stadium, showing promise of better things on the horizon.
ONE TO WATCH: Jack Payne
Well travelled Jack Payne was one of 12 new signings to make the move to the Jobserve Community Stadium over the summer, have put pen to paper on a two year contract in Essex.
The 21 year old Londonder had a been on loan at MK Dons last season, making 40 league appearances and scoring six goals as his side made the League Two Play-Offs.
Payne played the full 90 at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, assisting two goals to fellow new signing Ben Goodliffe in the opening ten minutes.
PLAYED FOR BOTH: Kevin Watson
Kevin Watson was signed by Colchester United following a two year spell with the Royals between 2002-2004.
A product of the Tottenham Hotspur Academy, Watson had permanent spells at Swindon Town and Rotherham United before joining Alan Pardew's side for what would ultimately be a promotion winning season to the second tier. The following campaign he would contribute towards his team finishing 4th in the then Division One, scoring the winning goal against Watford.
In 2004 he would be signed by Colchester Manager and Reading legend Phil Parkinson, his former teammate whilst playing in RG2. In his first full season with the U's he would enjoy promotion to the Championship, before finishing a creditable 10th place the following campaign.
HEAD TO HEAD
Tuesday night will see the Rpyals and the U's go toe to toe for the 67th time in a competitive fixture.
The last tie between the two teams came at the same stage of the League Cup in 2020, in a behind closed doors tie at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. A hatrick from Lucas Joao was enough to secure safe passage to the next round, and you can relive those highlights below.
Reading are leading the way in the head to head record:
- Reading wins - 30
- Draws - 13
- Colchester United wins - 23
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