By Reading FC

A MAIDEN WIN ON THE ROAD IN THE SOUTH WEST

A gritty and hard fought display full of character saw Reading secure victory against Exeter City in Sky Bet League One.

The Royals got the game underway backed by an away contingent of over 800 supporters, and they didn't have to wait long to get off their feet. Within the first minute Harvey Knibbs used all his strength to turn his marker and feed into Jayden Wareham, who kept his composure to slot into the bottom corner - 1-0 to Reading in the first minute!

After such a frantic start, the remainder of the opening ten minutes passed with both sides exchanging corners, however neither team were able to create a chance of note. Rubén Sellés' side looked up for this one, harrying the Grecians at every opportunity to qwell any potential attacks.

On 21 minutes a disposession of the ball in the Grecian's defence allowed Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan the chance to fire goalwards. The effort went over the bar but was deemed to have taken a deflection, and from the resulting corner Tyler Bindon had the opportunity to shoot from 12 yards out on the half volley. The strike evaded the legs of multiple players in the area, but a grateful Joe Whitworth in the Exeter goal was able to smother the strike.

Half the Exeter faithful thought their side had levelled on 26 minutes, when a teasing Mustapha Carayol cross was deflected behind by Andre Garcia. The youngster was closely marshalled by Ilmari Niskanen at the back post, but our full back showed experience beyond his years to deflect to safety under so much pressure.

The hosts had half a sight of goal in the 34th minute with Jack Aitchison pulling a tame effort wide from 20 yards out. The Royals responded immediately with a fluid move down the other end of the pitch. Garcia surged forward with intent, releasing Ehibhatiomhan who in turn fed the ball to Savage. The Welshman's cut back was so close to finding one of a number of expectant Reading players in the area.

Just moments later however, the Royals had a second. Good work from Knibbs to pick up a forward ball saw him pass inside to Lewis Wing shot goalwards, his effort was blocked but the rebound fell to Michael Craig who coolly slotted into the near corner with Whitworth stranded. 

Niskanen was inches away from halving the deficit as the game edged towards the interval. With space opening up in front of him the Finn shot goalwards from all of 20 yards, fortunately for the Royals, he could only graze the top of Joel Pereira's bar.

Rubén's Royals saw out the rest of the half in relative comfort, as they headed into the dressing room with a lead to hold onto and a strong half under their belt.

Half-time: Exeter City 0-2 Reading

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The Grecians made a double substitution at the break to try and find a way back into the game, bringing on the attack minded Millenic Alli and Josh Magennis.
 
Despite the changes it was the Royals who had the first chance of the half however, thanks to strong wing play from Chem Campbell. The attacker ran forward at pace and sent a bouncing ball into the box that caused trouble to both defence and attack. Charlie Savage was able to pounce and fired goalwards from 18 yards, but it was well saved by Whitworth down to his right hand side.
 
The lively Niskanen had another chance to get his name on the scoresheet down the other end. Latching onto a ball into the box, his connection was far from sweet and it tamely bounced into Pereira's arms. 
 
The Finn wouldn't have to wait long for another chance, and in the 58th minute he found a way back into the game for the Grecians. A wicked ball into the box from substitute Alli was met at the far post by Niskanen who fired a vicious half volley into the back of the net - the arrears halved.
 
The Royals bench responded with a double change for the final half an hour, goalscorer Wareham and Chem Campbell made way for Sam Smith and Adrian Akande respectively.
 
Exeter full back Jack McMillan found himself in unfamiliar territory just after the hour mark, firing a low right footed effort past Joel Pereira's right hand post - the momentum at this point well and truly with the hosts.
 
With pressure building, Exeter went so close to an equaliser in the 65th minute. Substitute Alli jinked inside from the right and shot, after perhaps being guilty of dribbling too far, the deflected effort fell into Pereira's arms.
 
A rare Reading foray into Exeter territory this half gave Lewis Wing an opportuntiy to send one of his trademark long range efforts goalwards. The on target strike gave Whitworth problems, but after initially parrying the shot upwards he was able to gather the ball at the second attempt on his own goal line.
 
The Grecians had enjoyed almost all the play this half, and came a whisker away from an equaliser in the 73rd minute. It was Niskanen the instigator once more, latching onto a looping ball forward after beating Craig to the bounce. From the corner of the box the Finn struck the inside of the post, and fortunately for the Royals, the rebound evaded the on-rushing Exeter players.
 
As the game entered the final 15 minutes, the Royals managed to dig deep to impose a more attacking threat on the hosts. A series of corners took some of the pressure off the game, whilst another long range effort from Lewis Wing was repelled by a strong block in Exeter's backline.
 
The final ten minutes saw the introduction of Mamadi Camara in place of Ehibhatiomhan, and the returning winger would have to be at his defensive best with his temmates to deal with the ongoing attacks by the goal hungry hosts.
 
The Royals defence stood firm to the onslaught from the Grecians, and secured a first win on the road this campaign in gritty and hard fought style. Celebrations between the players and Royals faithful alike showed just what it meant to all involved with the club, as focus now turns to Saturday's home game with Bristol Rovers.

Full-time: Exeter City 1-2 Reading

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Exeter City: Whitworth, McMillan, Crama, Woods (Bird 86'), Francis (Doyle 54'), Aitchison, Niskanen, Yfeko, Cox (Magennis 46'), Sweeney, Carayol (Alli 46')
Subs: MacDonald, Purrington, Fitzwater
Goals: Niskanen (58')
Yellow: Woods (55')

Reading: Pereira, Craig, Knibbs, Savage (Elliot 69'), Ehibhatiomhan (Camara 82'), Wareham (Smith 60'), Campbell (Akande 60'), Bindon, Mbengue, Wing, Garcia (Dean 69')
Subs: Button, Ahmed
Goals: Wareham (1'), Craig (36')
Yellow: Mbengue (77')