Royals beat the Cards in competitive encounter
A Jayden Wareham strike and a Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan penalty were enough for Rubén Sellés' Royals to claim a second win in pre-season on the road - and a first in front of our supporters.
A competitive first half saw both teams go into the break goalless, but the second half changes proved the difference as the Royals took the victory against our National League opposition.
The action got underway in robust fashion with John Ryan bearing the brunt of a strong challenge in the opening 15 seconds, the young full back needing a moment to get the wind back in his sails.
Reading's first foray around the Woking box came in the 4th minute, when good build up play from midfield saw Sam Smith feed Basil Tuma through on goal. The pacy forward did well to control the ball and settle, but found himself crowded out by no less than three Cards defenders, and his shot was blocked from close range.
The following ten minutes would see the hosts enjoy spells of possession around the Royals' box, including two corners that would be well cleared by Harlee Dean in the backline. Down the other end, Dean would get his head onto an attacking corner, but could only glance it straight into the midriff of the defender.
The midway point in the first half saw both teams cancelling each other out to that point. Some good footwork from Ben Elliott saw him aim to feed Smith into the Woking box, but the striker was caught just offside.
David Button had his palms stung from a 25 yard freekick from this hosts on 39 minutes, but in truth the effort was straight at our shot-stopper.
The half time whistle blew to call an end to a period that saw plenty of combative football but few clear cut chances for either side. All to play for in the second 45.
Half Time: Woking 0-0 Reading
Early on in the second period, Michael Stickland flew late into a challenge with Dion Kelly-Evans that saw the Cards' forward need treatment. Whilst the free kick was given, the referee waved away the protests of the home crowd who felt a card should have been brandished.
The hosts would enjoy the better of the territory in the opening ten minutes of the half, however they would be limited to no clear cut chances of note.
Despite the promising start from the Cards, it was the Royals who opened the scoring courtesy of a well worked goal. Mamadi Camara work the ball nicely on the left hand side, before feeding to Jayden Wareham who fired home expertly from just inside the box. The striker, who had spent a spell with Woking in 2020/21, celebrated respectfully to acknowledge his former employers.
Rubén Sellés would make seven changes to give those on the bench 30 minutes in the tank, and it was one of those subs Femi Azeez who would head just over following a corner from the left hand side.
With 15 minutes remaining the Royals doubled their lead courtesy of Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan from the penalty spot. Amadou Mbengue produced a contender for pass of the night with a searching 50 yard ball to find Ehibhatiomhan. The forward controlled expertly, beat two players in the box and was brought down on the by-line. Woking's triallist goalkeeper got a strong hand to Kelvin's effort from the spot, but the power was just to much and it nestled into the bottom left corner.
Joel Pereira was called into action in the 83rd minute, coming to claim a freekick from the right wing at the second attempt. The Portuguese got down bravely to smother the ball at the feet of the attackers.
Clever play from Wareham released Azeez down the right flank with just three minutes of normal time remaining. The lively forward would bear down on goal, but could only fire his effort straight at Woking's keeper.
The referee would call time on the fixture, with the Royals recording a second win on the road in pre-season.
Full Time: Woking 0-2 Reading
Woking: Trialist, Moss, Wynter, Harries, Dyche, Lewis, Kelly-Evans, Akinola, Gorman, Kendall, Walker
Substitutes: Odusina, Robinson, Smith, Trialists
Goals:
Reading: Button (Pereira 60'), Rushesha (Osho 45'), Stickland (Kanu 60'), Dean (Mbengue 60'), Ryan (Garcia 45'), Craig (Wing 60'), Elliott (Savage 45'), Senga (Sackey 60'), Smith (Wareham 45'), Camara (Azeez 60'), Tuma (Ehibhatiomhan 60')
Goals: Wareham (59'), Ehibhatiomhan (75')
Attendance: 2,635 (1,109 away)
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