A narrow loss in the Welsh capital
A youthful Reading side fell to a spirited loss against Cardiff City on Wednesday evening in the club's penultimate pre season tie before the campaign gets underway a week on Saturday.
Femi Azeez had levelled the score after Callum Robinson's early opener, but the Bluebirds forward was able to win the tie for his side with a header ten minutes from time.
The full match report can be found below.
First Half
The Royals got the game underway in the balmy heat of south Wales, our penultimate fixture in a busy pre-season schedule and another opportunity to test ourselves against second tier opposition.
It was a bad start for the visitors at the Cardiff City Stadium, with a mix up at the back allowing Bluebirds forward Callum Robinson the opportunity to pass the ball into an empty net from close range.
Undeterred however, the Royals looked to find a way back into the tie, and had parry in the 12th minute with a fine finish into the top left hand corner of the net. Sam Smith had won the ball back in the host's half, found Azeez, and the winger made no mistake bagging his second goal in as many games in pre-season.
Mamadi Camara was the next to trouble the Cardiff defence in the 18th minute. The tricky winger would beat full back Ronan Kpakio in the right back area and steal a march into the box. Bearing down on goal however, he could only skew his shot wide.
As the half continued Rubén Sellés' side really found their feet in the tie, enjoying spells of possession around the Bluebirds' box. Azeez tested the backline on two occasions, the defence the victors on this occasion with two blocks from close range. Harlee Dean managed to get his head on a left hand side corner, but his effort could only loop harmlessly over the crossbar.
An injury to Jay Senga would lead to his substitution three minues before the break, with Louie Holzman coming off the bench in his place.
The half would finish with the Royals more than a match for their second tier opponents, and a pleasing response to an early setback.
Half Time: Cardiff City 1-1 Reading
Second Half
The Royals made five changes at the break, with Mbengue, Elliott, Knibbs, Craig & Azeez making way for Kanu, Sackey, Wing, Savage & Ehibhatiomhan.
The opening chance of the half would go the way of the hosts. Good work by Callum Robinson dribbling across the box saw him square to Eli King, whose shot would go narrowly wide of the left hand post.
The opening throes of the half belonged to Cardiff, who enjoyed a spell of possession around the Reading box. Despite this territory they were restricted to half chances by the Royals.
Rubén Sellés' side came into the game from the hour mark, a signal that the half time substitutes had worked their way into the game. Great play from Camara down the right handside saw him deliver an inch perfect ball to Ehibatiomhan on the edge of the area. The forward settled well and fed the ball to an on-rushing Emmanuel Osho - whose shot was diverted out for a corner.
Down the other end Abraham Kanu produced another of what are becoming his trademark challenges to stop Callum Robinson going through one of one with Boyce-Clark in the Royals goal.
Two unconverted chances went the way of the Royals as we entered the final 20 minutes of the tie. First up, neat work from Sackey down the right allows him to work it to Camara, the ball is worked to Ehibhatiomhan on the left side of the area but his shot goes over. Shortly after, a nice ball from Savage sets Kelvin away down the left, he cuts it back to Camara who fires over.
The visitors would be made to rue the missed chances with Cardiff taking the lead with just over ten minutes of the tie remaining. Callum Robinson headed home from six yards to make it 2-1.
Full Time: Cardiff City 2-1 Reading
Cardiff City: Alnwick, Chambers (Lawlor 46'), Turnbull, Kpakio, Bagan (Giles 73'), King (Colwill 65'), Colwill (Willock 60'), Rinomhota, Davies, Ahsford (Meite 60'), Robinson
Substitutes: Turner, Gbadehan
Goals: Robinson (3', 79')
Reading: Boyce-Clarke, Craig (Savage 45'), Osho (Garcia 64'), Elliott (Wing 45'), Mbengue (Kanu 45'), Dean, Knibbs (Sackey 45'), Senga (Holzman 42'), Camara (Akande 80'), Smith (Wareham 64'), Azeez (Ehibhatiomhan 45')
Substitutes: Pereira, Stickland
Goals: Azeez (12')
Attendance: 3,077
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