Reading defeated in RG2
The Royals suffered just their second home loss of the season, with a well drilled Blackpool side taking all three points with a three goal victory.
Blackpool got us underway at a lively Select Car Leasing Stadium, with The Royals seizing the initiative early on – despite not quite creating an opening. A small opportunity appeared on 11 minutes as a quick counter saw Chem Campbell drive towards the Blackpool box. Chem’s strong drive was well blocked by the defender but fell to Savage, who couldn’t quite connect with the volley attempt.
Shortly after it was the visitors with a chance as Oliver Casey found himself with space ahead of him. His surging run forced him in to the Reading box and he unleashed a good effort on goal, but Joel Pereira stood firm to divert round the post.
On 22 minutes The Royals had the best chance so far. A short corner saw the ball come back on the right corner of the box, where Lewis Wing swept in a low cross which evaded all Tangerine shirts. Harvey Knibbs was there but could only divert over the bar as he was falling backwards.
Shortly later Blackpool hit back with pressure and after a corner was cleared by Sam Smith, the ball fell to Albie Morgan who fired low from distance into the Reading goal to give the visitors the advantage.
As ever, this Reading side remained tenacious with the attack – despite having fallen behind – and it wasn’t long before Knibbs was unlucky with a bouncing volley which went straight into the keeper’s arms.
On 31 minutes The Royals seemed to have a good claim for a penalty. Elliot sent a deep ball in to the Blackpool box, which was headed away but only as far as Craig who seemed to be impeded just before striking on the volley. Despite claims, the referee pointed towards a corner. From the resulting corner, a smart routine saw Wing rush on to the ball but he could only drag the ball wide.
On 35 minutes, Garcia charged down the left and pulled a good cross back but unfortunately not finding a hooped shirt. Blackpool immediately countered down the vacant left side and worked a smart cross in for Fletcher, whose strong header was acrobatically tipped on to the post by Periera. Moments later however, The Royals fell further behind. Blackpool worked on opening down The Royals’ left and Kyle Joseph tested Pereira again, but this time his save only fell as far as Rob Apter who was on hand to force the ball in to the vacant goal. Work to do for The Royals…
The remaining moments of the half were stop-start, as both sides experienced players needing treatment. After a few minutes added the referee blew for half-time at 0-2.
Half Time: Reading 0-2 Blackpool
The Royals got us back underway for the second half. Early on Pereira was forced to surge out of goal – which eventually broke down a Blackpool attack.
On 48 minutes The Royals made their first advance. Some good interchange saw Knibbs jig in to the Blackpool box and appeared to be tripped just before pulling the trigger – yet calls for a penalty were waved away by referee, Anthony Backhouse.
The next 10 minutes was relatively even, both sides forcing dangerous cross but unable to connect. Smith and Garcia both received yellow cards as The Royals in the efforts to bring us back level. On 59 minutes it looked like Blackpool might put the game out of sight, as Apter charged through on goal but his tame effort was relatively easy for Pereira to collect.
On 69 minutes there was half a sight on goal for Savage, but his effort flew high and wide. Despite best efforts, The Royals were struggling to find the fluidity to carve open a resolute Blackpool defence. Shortly after, Blackpool put the game to bed. A deep cross was saved at the last minute by Bindon. The second ball evaded Garcia before falling to a Tangerine shirt who was able to pass the ball to Ashley Fletcher who couldn’t miss from a couple of yards out. 0-3.
The remainder of the game was largely eventless. Blackpool forced a couple of routine stops from Pereira but The Royals were unable to truly test the Blackpool keeper down the other side.
Seven minutes of additional time were allocated by the referee, which saw no change in the scores.
Full-time: Reading 0-3 Blackpool
Reading: Pereira, Elliott (Camara 66’), Craig (Ahmed 76’), Knibbs, Savage (Wareham 76’), Smith, Campbell, Bindon, Mbengue (Holzman 46’), Wing ©, Garcia
Subs: Button, Dean, Sackey
Yellow: Mbengue (43), Garcia (57’)
Blackpool: Tyrer, Husband ©, Pennington, Evans (Norburn 81’), Morgan, Joseph, Fletcher (Rhodes 81’), Onomah (Ballard 40’), Casey, Offiah, Apter
Subs: O'Donell, Gabriel, Ashworth, Finnigan
Goals: Morgan (24’), Apter (37’), Fletcher (72’)