By Reading FC

Royals defeated in South Yorkshire

A game of two halves in the very truest sense was played out in Rotherham on Saturday, as the Millers came from a goal down to beat the Royals.

The hosts kicked us off on a bright sunny afternoon in South Yorkshire, with Rubén Sellés' side looking to cap off a fruitful week with victory in Sky Bet League One.

Much of the opening exchanges were played around the Reading box, with the Millers looking to gain an early advantage in the game. The first chance of the game would go the way of Rotherham skipper Jonson Clarke-Harris, who latched onto a cross in the box and aimed a shot goalwards on the half volley - fortunately for the Royals it would go over the bar.

Reading responded well to the early pressure and were so close to opening the scoring on six minutes. Neat build up play from defence saw Tyler Bindon maraud forward from his centre back position to find Chem Campbell in a forward position on the right hand side. The two goal hero from Tuesday sent a wicked ball into the box that was unconvincingly cleared just over the Rotherham crossbar by Jamie McCart.

Hakeem Odoffin wasn't far away from giving the hosts the lead in the 12th minute of what had started as a fast paced duel. Joe Powell found space on the left hand side and was afforded enough time to send a deep cross into the Reading box, but an unworried David Button saw the effort go wide of his left hand post.

The game settled down as it reached the halfway point of the opening period, with both teams having seemingly sized up the threat of one another. 

On 26 minutes the deadlock was broken however, and it was the Royals who had the lead courtesy of Lewis Wing. After winning a freekick on the edge of the box following an expertly timed forward run, the captain would pick himself up to drill the freekick goalwards from 20 yards out. Cameron Dawson in the Rotherham goal was able to get a hand to the effort, but the power was just too much and the visitors were ahead!

Just two minutes after taking the lead Rubén Sellés was forced into a change, with Kelvin Abrefa limping off to be replaced by Andre Garcia at left back.

The hosts looked for a way back into the game, and shortly after the half hour mark they created their best chance of the game. The ever dangerous Clarke-Harris was able to find space to head goalwards, and whilst the effort looked destined to find the net, David Button expertly diverted over.

Down the other end, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan's quick feet caused enough trouble to the Rotherham defence to allow him a chance to shoot goalwards from a narrow angle. Unfortunately for the Royals, the forward's left footed effort went just over the upright.

Referee Toner called an end to the opening period with the Royals leaving the field having put in a solid display up to this point, conversely, the hosts were booed off the pitch by their supporters. With 45 minutes of the game left to play however, there was still plenty to do for Rubén Sellés and his team to do.

Half-time: Rotherham United 0-1 Reading

ROTHERHAM_READING_068.jpg
As you would expect from a Steve Evans side, the Millers came flying out the traps at the start of the second period, and they were level just four minutes into the half. Sam Nombe was able to convert from close range to put us all square.
 
The Royals responded well and almost regained the lead two minutes later. Lewis Wing found the forward run of Sam Smith, who was able to win the race for the ball against McCart, but the defender recovered well and block our strikers effort from the edge of the area.
 
It went from bad to worse for the Royals when Rotherham took the lead for the first time in the 56th minute. A ball into the box from the right hand side in the direction of four waiting Millers players, and it was Hakeem Odoffin who rose highest to head home from close range. 
 
Things could have got worse but for an exceptional save from Button in the 58th minute. Goalscorer Nombe was able to take aim from all of 25 yards, but our number one was able to use all of his large frame to tip the ball away when it looked destined for the back of the net.
 
What was becoming a difficult task became more difficult in the 68th minute when Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan received a red card after a second yellow card. 
 
Following the dismissal, Rubén Sellés was quick to make a double substitution with Chem Campbell and Ben Elliott making way for Jayden Wareham and Charlie Savage respectively. The change almost reaped an immediate reward, with Wareham latching onto a dangerous Sam Smith cross but seeing his effort deflected wide for a corner.
 
With plenty of work to do and the numbers against them, the Royals tried to throw everything into getting an equaliser, and we were so close to doing so with Wareham once again. The lively substitute was able to carve out a chance, but his connection from a low Harvey Knibbs cross would go agonisingly wide.
 
In injury time the Royals threw absolutely everything forward in the hunt for an equaliser. An Mbengue long throw into box saw the ball ricochet like a pinball in the area before a shot goalwards was deflected out for a corner. David Button went forward to try and cause havoc in the box, and was able to get his body onto the ball but it was deflected back out wide to Lewis Wing. A further ball into the box could not be cleared by the Millers, Sam Smith hit a cross come shot into the box, and a richochet l,ooked to be heading into the back of the net, but it was smothered by a grateful Dawson in the host's goal.
 
An afternoon of 'what could have been' in South Yorkshire came to a close with the sound of the referee's whistle straight from the goal kick. The Royals would rue a slow start to the second half and come back to Berkshire empty handed. 

Full-time: Rotherham 2-1 Reading

ROTHERHAM_READING_085.jpg

Rotherham United: Dawson, Rafferty, James (Bramall 64'), Powell, Nombe, Clarke-Harris © (Hugill 82'), Wilks (Holmes 88'), Odoffin (MacDonald 88'), Humphreys, Tiehi (McWilliams 82'), McCart
Subs: Phillips, Hungbo
Goals: Nombe (49'), Odoffin (56')
Yellow: James (59'), Dawson (77')

Reading: Button, Abrefa (Garcia 28' (Akande 90')), Elliott (Savage 72'), Craig (Dean 90'), Knibbs, Ehibhatiomhan, Smith, Campbell (Wareham 72'), Bindon, Mbengue, Wing ©
Subs: Rowley, Tuma
Goals: Wing (26')
Yellow: Garcia (44'), Ehibhatiomhan (47' & 68'), Smith (57'), Craig (83')
Red: Ehibhatiomhan (68')