Report | Reading 3-1 Burton Albion

BACK TO BACK WINS IN RG2!

A brace from Chem Campbell and a Sam Smith header secured a second win in four days as Reading beat Burton Albion 3-1 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The visitors got the game underway in the glow of the Select Car Leasing floodlights, and the Royals were looking to make a fast start with Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan firing the first effort of the game straight at Max Crocombe from the corner of the area.

The opening ten minutes of the game was played at a fast pace, as both teams looked to gain the upper hand on a crisp October night. The Royals had enjoyed spells of possession around the visitors' box, whilst the Brewers were looking sharp on the break.

In the 15th minute Rubén Sellés' side created an opening following our first corner of the game. The visitors' clearance from the initial delivery could only find Lewis Wing, who after settling his feet managed to send a wicked cross into the box. Sam Smith timed his run well to get in front of his marker, but his effort was smothered by Crocombe in goal.

The deadlock was broken at the midpoint of the half, as Chem Campbell notched his maiden goal for the Royals! Good play from Garcia outside the Burton box saw him release Ehibhatiomhan who drove into the visitors' area and fired a ball across goal. The Brewers couldn't clear their lines, which allowed Campbell the chance to shoot, and despite Crocombe's best efforts, the ball nestled in the back of the net.

It was almost two when Lewis Wing let fly from classis Lewis Wing territory just after the half hour mark. Picking up the ball in the midfield he surged forward and took aim from 25 yards, and with Crocombe rooted to the spot, the Burton keeper will have been releived to see the strike fly just wide.

The second for the Royals, and indeed the second for Chem Campbell, came just before the break! A searching ball from Amadou Mbengue looked to be easily cut out by Sweeney in the Burton defence, however our loanee forward had other ideas. Campbell would use his guile to nick the ball away from the defender, set his feet, and fire a well taken finish into the bottom left hand corner - the Royals in control!

It almost became the half of dreams for Campbell and his Reading team, as an opportunity came his way to seal his hatrick as the clock ticked into the 46th minute. An exquisite set piece routine saw Wing place a cute ball to Knibbs at the front post, whose knick ball to the edge of the area found Campbell, however he could only shoot wide.

The referee called an end to a positive opening period for the Royals, but with another 45 minutes ahead, there would be no time to rest on our laurels in the second half.

Half-time: Reading 2-0 Burton Albion