We had the pleasure of welcoming Young Royal Casey Harbor to the Select Car Leasing Stadium to capture all the action as the Royals took on Crawley Town.
Casey took in the action from the Press Box, and you can read his match report below:
A clinical Reading display at home secures 3 points
Goals from Amadou Mbengue, Lewis Wing, Charlie Savage and Sam Smith were enough to give the Royals all three points against Crawley Town.
The visitors kicked us off on another sunny day in RG2, and it didn’t take long for the Royals to surge forward. Amadou Mbengue played a cross into the visitors box, before it was cleared away on the 2 minute mark.
Crawley fought back, with a good chance leading to a corner 6 minutes into the game.
Shortly after in the 8th minute, an outstanding save by the visitors’ goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott, who cut out a great chance for Sam Smith.
A save by David Button from Will Swan made sure Crawley didn’t take the lead early on, and fortunately the rebound hit the side netting, keeping the game level at 0-0.
Reading were relentless leading to Wollacott having to claim yet another cross from Mbengue on the 14th minute mark. Shortly after, Smith used his flair to dance between two defenders before getting cut out.
Adrian Akande stole the ball off of Joy Mukena and shot goalwards, but his effort was saved by Wollacott in the 18th minute.
A free kick taken by Lewis Wing from the right hand side resulted in a scramble in the box, and a goal from Amadou Mbengue put Reading 1-0 up in the 20th minute.
Andre Garcia intercepted the ball and his attempt from close range sailed over the bar for a goal kick.
A super block from Mbengue stopped what looked like a certain goal and kept it at 1-0 in the 25th minute. Play was stopped following the incident for Mbengue to receive treatment.
A clearance made by Akande ensured no goal was conceded, with his clearance going over his own bar for a corner. From the corner, a shot by William Swan was deflected wide for yet another corner.
Goal for the visitors as Harry Forster puts one home after a dangerous attack to equalise in the 30th minute, 1-1.
A dangerous attack by Craig led to nothing after a few blocked attempts in the 32nd minute, and shortly afterwards, Max Anderson was booked for a challenge in the 35th minute.
Reading piled on the pressure in the 36th minute after an over hit cross by Craig, whilst down the other end a dangerous attack by Crawley is cut out by Reading at the 37th minute mark.
A super 30 yard goal rifled into the top corner by Lewis Wing in the 40th minute put Reading ahead, 2-1.
3 minutes additional time was signaled by the 4th official. In injury time, a shot by Akande was put over the bar from the right hand side and was the last act of the first half.
Reading 2-1 Crawley Town
A dangerous ball was played in Readings box before headed away by Tyler Bindon, before a 1 on 1 shot was taken by Will Swan, that was well saved by Button in the 50th minute.
Crawley continued to attack, as Anderson crossed into the box however it was cleared by the Reading backline.
Down the other end, Akande’s ball was deflected into the box before being cleared out of play. Soon after, Chem Cambell warmed up on the touch line before replacing Harvey Knibbs.
Crawley pushed forward in search of an equalizer, with Armando Quitirna shooting wide, before Mbengue needed to be at his best to block a shot after conceding possession.
The resulting corner created an opportunity for Crawley, which called Button into the action with two good saves.
A free kick for Crawley forced Button into another save, this time a shot from Bradley Ibrahim.
Crawley continued to be relentless with their chances, resulting in another shot, this time from Forster.
Despite Crawley’s dominant start to the half, it was the Royals who were next to find the back of the net.
Charlie Savage dinked home a 25 yard goal as a result of Wollacott coming too far off of his line to tackle Smith, it bounced right to his feet and allowed the Welshman to chip it home. 3-1 at the 67th minute mark.
Andre Garcia came off as Harlee Dean entered the field, the change meant Mbengue would then be playing at left back. Shortly after the change, Tyler Bindon blocked a point blank shot to keep it 3-1.
Sam Smith pounced on a ball and then played a one two with Lewis Wing before tapping one past Wollacot to make it 4-1.
A fired up Mbengue was booked for a late challenge on Quitirna, before Ruben Selles made a triple substitution. Basil Tuma on for Akande, Jayden Wareham for Sam Smith, and Shay Spencer for Ben Elliot.
A brilliant ball resulted in a goal for the newly introduced Wareham, but the linesman raised his flag signaling offside in the 81st minute.
Mbengue continued in his hunt for more goals with a good cross put into the box, however it was deflected into the path of a Crawley defender.
The 4th official signaled 6 minutes of added time before a great shot is taken by Chem Cambell which skims the side netting.
Reading continued to pile on the pressure before putting a good ball in but unfortunately being claimed by Wollacott.
The referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the game, another three points for the Royals at home!
Reading 4-1 Crawley Town
Reading: Button, Elliott (Wareham 80'), Craig, Knibbs (Campbell 55'), Savage, Smith (Spencer 80'), Bindon, Mbengue, Wing ©, Garcia (Dean 69'), Akande (Tuma 80')
Subs: Rowley, Rushesha
Goals: Mbengue (21'), Wing (40'), Savage (65'), Smith (73')
Yellow: Mbengue (78')
Crawley Town: Wollacott, Barker, Anderson (Camara 74'), Forster (Hepburn-Murphy 67'), Swan (Tanimu 83'), Darcy, Quitirna (Holohan 84'), Kelly, Mukena (Showunmi 83'), Ibrahim, Mullarkey
Subs: Bragg, Roles
Goals: Forster (30')
Yellow: Anderson (36'), Camara (87')