Young Royals fall to narrow defeat
Rubén's young side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cheltenham Town, after Pett's fine strike secured all three points from The Robins, but despite the result, plenty of encouragement on display from our bright stars of the future.
The young Royals started brightly, with Osho taking the first shot of the evening after Button’s long ball forward found him on the left wing. He cut inside and forced Day into a low save, resulting in a corner, but Rushesha’s cross sailed over everyone in the box.
Following this early chance, Cheltenham began to settle into the game, giving Reading little time on the ball. Their first opportunity came from a corner aimed at the back post, but Norkett’s header missed the target.
Cheltenham continued to test the Royals' defence with physical duels across the pitch. Rubén’s young side held firm, matching the hosts' intensity as the clock reached 20 minutes. Pressing high, Cheltenham managed to deliver several balls into the box, but Button and his defensive line stood resolute.
Around the half-hour mark, the Royals enjoyed a neat spell of possession, building from the back and advancing up to Cheltenham’s box. However, under pressure, they were forced back, and a turnover nearly led to an error that required Button to come off his line to clear.
Soon after, the biggest chance of the half fell to Cheltenham. Button’s clearance was mis-hit and landed at Pett’s feet, 30 yards out. Pett controlled instantly and tried to lob the Royals keeper, but his attempt bounced wide, much to Button’s relief.
Reading showed promise when Rushesha and Osho combined down the left, with Osho drilling a cross into the box. Akande found space near the penalty spot, but before he could shoot, Cheltenham defenders closed him down and cleared the ball. Moments later, Akande dazzled with skill to beat two players, threading a pass to Tuma as he entered the box. Tuma tried to square the ball, but it deflected off a defender and rolled out.
This was the Royals' best spell, and they maintained pressure deep in Cheltenham’s half. Spencer took a shot from 20 yards but sent it just over the bar.
Cheltenham quickly countered, as Day’s clearance found Taylor, who took a shot that also sailed over. With just a minute before the break, Cheltenham nearly took the lead. Bowman found space on the edge of Reading’s box and unleashed a shot that beat Button but struck the post, narrowly avoiding danger.
Half-time: Cheltenham Town 0-0 Reading
Cheltenham began the second half with the same intensity as the first, delivering three early balls into the box as the Royals struggled to maintain possession. Rubén’s side, however, continued to hold firm under pressure.
The Royals responded well, with Akande again showing his pace, beating his marker and charging one-on-one with the keeper. Jay stood tall, deflecting Akande’s effort behind for a corner, which was ultimately cleared.
Cheltenham’s Taylor, a constant threat, had another chance just minutes into the half. Ahmed found himself in a two-on-one and passed inside to Taylor, who got his shot on target, but Button handled it comfortably.
Reading then had a flurry of three quick chances. First, Rushesha whipped in a free-kick from just outside the box, but Day punched it clear. The Royals recycled the ball, and Ahmed’s cross was deflected by a Cheltenham defender, almost creeping in at the back post. Substitute Wellens had the final chance, attempting an acrobatic volley from Rushesha’s chipped cross but couldn’t quite connect as intended.
Button displayed outstanding reflexes when a ball across the box found Bowman, who powered a header from eight yards out. Button reacted sharply, denying what looked to be a certain goal.
The Royals won another free-kick within shooting range, and Wellens stepped up to take it. He struck it low, forcing Day into a good save as he stretched to get a glove on the ball.
Okine-Peters nearly made an immediate impact when Akande, who had dominated his opposing full-back all half, spun past his marker and delivered a driven low ball across the box. Okine-Peters’ run was perfectly timed, but the intense pressure caused him to narrowly miss making contact.
Cheltenham then broke the deadlock. A bouncing ball at the edge of the box fell to Pett, who struck a clean half-volley past Button, putting the hosts in front.
As the final five minutes approached, an injury break gave Rubén Sellés a chance to rally his team for one last push. Reading immediately responded, with Beacroft’s cross from the far right catching Day backpedalling as it nearly snuck in at the back post.
With five minutes of added time, Reading pushed forward at every opportunity, opting for long balls in search of an equaliser. However, it was the Robins who nearly scored again, as a free header at the back post looked dangerous, but Button was well-positioned to gather.
Despite a brave performance, the Young Royals left empty-handed, with Cheltenham taking all three points.
Full-time: Cheltenham Town 1-0 Reading
Cheltenham Town: Day, Taylor (Thomas 64’), Norkett (Jude-Boyd 64’), Bowman, Dulson, Bakare, Sohna (Colwill 64’), Shipley, Willcox, Pett, Liggett
Subs: Diallo, Payne, King, Tustin
Goal: Pett (78’)
Yellow: Colwill (70’), Liggett (90’), Shipley (90+4’)
Reading FC: Button, Rushesha, Tuma, Holzman, Akande, Stickland, Ahmed (Beacroft 73’), Sackey (Wellens 59’), Spencer, Osho (Okine-Peters 73’), Barough (Senga 74’)
Subs: Boyce-Clark, Borgnis, Duah
Yellow: Akande (46’)