Royals out of the Vertu Trophy on penalties.
A heartbreaking late leveller from Walsall, then victory on penalties, denied Reading's youngsters of a brilliant evening as they crashed out the Vertu Trophy after ending the match with 9 men.
The Royals got the game underway with Charlie Savage kicking us off. Walsall started the brighter with Danny Johnson testing Button within 2 minutes.
Only 2 minutes later The Royals had a lucky escape. Walsall broke the offside trap down the left hand side, with Rico Browne surging forward and crossing low across the box in to the path of Adomah who somehow managed to place the ball wide from point blank range.
The Royals settled in to the game from there and almost found a way through on 11 minutes as an out swinging Savage corner found Wareham whose glancing header was smartly saved by Hornby in the Walsall goal.
Savage was architect once again on 17 minutes as a deep free kick caused trouble in the Walsall box and looked destined to be an own goal but Hornby again reacted well to divert from goal.
Shortly later The Royals were almost the architect of their own downfall. Some loose touches across our back line allowed Adomah to charge through on goal and smartly square it to Johnson. However, with just Button to beat he blazed over the bar.
On 26 minutes there was another bit of fortune for Reading as Weir’s in swinging corner evaded Button only to fortunately be nodded wide by a Royals defender. The secondary corner then also fell to a home shirt but could only be steered over the bar.
It was the same story just 6 minutes later as Holzman was knocked off the ball inside The Royals box. Johnson squared it across goal and despite finding a red shirt, the ball somehow bobbled clear of goal.
From here Reading gained a stronger hold on the game, controlling possession nicely, even if without any meaningful chances to score, as the sides went in goalless at half time.
Half-time: Walsall 0-0 Reading
The sides returned for the second half with one change for The Royals, as Wellens replaced Savage. Despite some early pressure we managed to escape the early stages unscathed.
On 54 minutes another change for Reading as Senga replaced Michael Craig. This was immediately followed by another Walsall opening as Button was forced to race out of his goal to clear a long ball at the second attempt. This then released Ahmed down Reading’s right hand side who eventually got the ball to Wareham who forced a save from Hornby.
Moments later it was ‘de ja vu’ as a long ball over the top forced Button out of goal, however this time he was unable to clear and felled the Walsall attacker. Despite being some distance out of goal the referee elected to show the Red card leaving The Royals down to ten. This turn of events prompted another substitution from Noel Hunt as goalkeeper Norcott replaced Mamadi Camara for only his second Reading appearance. The stopper was tested early with a flurry of crosses and punched the ball well to ease the danger.
On 67 minutes we had our best opening of the game so far. A long hall forward saw Wareham battle well and engineer a chance on Sackey’s left foot, only 18 yards from goal, which unfortunately he could only slide wide of the post.
On 70 minutes, a foul by Ahmed earned him a yellow card which then forced Norcott in to action from a wide free kick. After seemingly being cleared Walsall then fired narrowly wide of the the keepers near post.
Two minutes later, against the run of play it must be said, The Royals were in front. A long free kick forward looked set to be gathered by the Walsall keeper, only for it to be spilled. Wareham pounced but was blocked by the scrambling goalkeeper, but then reached Tyler Sackey who reacted well to find the top corner.
Despite getting us ahead the Walsall attack continued as Norcott was tested again, and moments later Reading were down to nine as Ahmed stretched to tackle but could only bring down the Walsall attacker on the edge of the box - earning his second yellow and ultimately a red.
Walsall made a double substitution and a barrage of crosses came in. Norcott was quick to tip looping volley over the bar and then another Walsall effort fizzed past the top corner. The relentless pressure forced Noel to react as Kanu replaced Garcia.
Norcott was to the rescue again on 82 minutes as a low cross round McEntee six yards out but the young stopper made himself big to block from point blank range. This was followed 4 minutes later by another opportunity for the hosts as Lowe fired wide from inside the box.
Relentless pressure continued with Holzman, Dean and Kanu rising tall to defend. 7 minutes of additional time were indicated.
After restarting, the ref immediately blew for full time and signal penalties. Despite strong penalties from Holzman and Kanu, the Walsall stopper made smart saves from Wareham and Wellens, whereas a clean sweep of attempts from Walsall gave them the victory and ended The Royals Vertu Motors Trophy journey for this season.
Full Time: Walsall 1-1 Reading (Walsall win 4-2 on penalties)
Full Time: Walsall 1-1 (4-2) Reading
Walsall: Hornby, McEntee, Daniels (c), Lakin (Cleary 76’), Earing, Hall (Lowe 59’), Allen (Gordon 59’), Weir, Browne (Barrett 77’), Adomah, Johnson
Subs: Simkin, Barrett, Okagbue, Thomas
Yellows: Weir (17’), Johnson (89’)
Reading: Button, Craig (Senga 54’), Dean (c), Savage (Wellens 46’), Wareham, Camara (Norcott 59’), Garcia (Kanu 80’), Holzman, Ahmed, Sackey, Osho
Subs: Stickland, Okine-Peters, Barough
Goals: Sackey (72’)
Yellows: Savage (21’), Ahmed (69’, 74’)
Red: Button (58’), Ahmed (74’)