By Reading FC

Royals make it three wins in a week 

A Sam Smith goal was enough to seal a dogged 1-0 win against Bristol Rovers at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, making it a perfect three wins from three for Rubén Sellés' side. 

The visitors got the game underway with the Royals attacking the south end of the stadium in usual fashion, and it wasn't long until the first chance of the game fell the way of the hosts. Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan fashioned an opportunity to shoot on his left foot as the clock ticked onto the 41 second mark, but the early effort went over the bar.

Ten minutes seemed to go in flash, and despite a lack of goals, both teams were looking to create free-flowing football to unlock the opposition's defence. Harvey Knibbs was close to breaking the deadlock on 19 minutes when he rifled a fierce right-footed half volley goalwards, but it was well saved by Taylor Griffiths in the Rovers goal.

In the aftermath of that chance, Ben Elliott was fouled on the edge of the area whilst trying to make space to shoot. Lewis Wing stepped up to strike at goal, but the effort was blocked by the wall. The match reached the halfway point of the opening period with the teams level.

After missing last weekend's match with Crawley due to suspension, Ehibhatiomhan looked up for this one. His fast footwork and pace were causing issues to Rovers right back Taylor Moore, and our big number nine almost bagged himself an assist through his trickery. With his back to goal on the sideline, he shimmied one way and the next to get round Moore and square to Knibbs, however his shot was blocked at close quarters.

At the half hour mark, the visitors had their first chance of the opening period, and the best chance of the game up to that point. Ruel Sotiriou was able to latch onto a ball forward and fired a low left footed strike goalwards with just Joel Pereira to beat, fortunately the effort went a whisker wide of the far post.

The Royals were close to opening the scoring themselves in the 35th minute with some sublime and patient football around the Rovers box. Neat interplay from the likes of Elliott, Ehibhatiomhan and Garcia saw the latter exchange a one-two with Wing on the edge of the box, but our captain's effort was straight Griffiths in the Pirates' goal.

On the stroke of half time the Royals had the ball in the net, but the linesman swiftly raised their flag for offside. A pentrating run from midfield by Ben Elliott saw Sam Smith find space to slot into the net, but he was adjudged to have timed his run slightly too early.

Moments later a huge chance fell the way of the Royals. Great work from Harvey Knibbs saw the forward dispossess Connor Taylor, which allowed him a free run on goal, but his strike went straight at Griffiths.

A third chance went the way of the Royals when Smith had a free header on goal from the resulting corner, but Griffiths was able to gratefully catch and the ref blew to end the opening period.

A cagey half came to a close with Reading perhaps rueing missed chances at the end of the opening period, but with a full 45 minutes of football ahead, it was time to regroup and come out stronger.

Half-time: Reading 0-0 Bristol Rovers

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With no changes made at the break, the early exchanges of the second half saw both teams jostling for position and cancelling each other out. 
 
Ehibhatiomhan had a big opportunity to put the Royals into the lead following an exquisite ball into the box from Lewis Wing. The forward tried to settle himself to shoot from eight yards out, but a combination of Taylor Moore and Connor Taylor were able to crowd him out at the vital moment.
 
The home side were given a man advantage in the 55th minute when Shaq Forde was given a second booking for kicking the ball away, and that incident really injected the noise of the Royals fans in the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
 
A stoppage in play for an injury to Josh Griffiths gave Rubén the opportunity to regroup with his players, and the time with his players paid off. Shortly after the restart the Royals had the lead courtesy of Sam Smith - two goals in two Select Car Leasing Stadium appearances. A special mention must go to Ben Elliott, whose sublime through ball found the run of Smith, who dispatched as he so often does.
 
Tyler Bindon was cautioned by the referee following a a foul on Bryant Bilongo in the 74th minute, the only blot on a faultless performance by the Kiwi. 
 
The Royals were content keeping the ball around the defence to invite the pressure from Rovers, and in doing so they could exploit space that was created. One such instance came in the 78th minute when Amadou Mbengue sent a superb ball forward in the direction of the recently introduced Chem Campbell. The new arrival was able to find the on-rushing Wing, whose shot went over the bar from 20 yards out.
 
With the rain starting to drop in RG2, Rovers threw everything at getting a way back into the game, and they nearly did so courtesy of former Royals Clinton Mola. The full back was able to control a cross into the box at the back post and send a half volley in the direction of Joel Pereira's goal. The Portuguese had to stretch using all of his frame to finger tip the ball away with his left hand, with the Royals fortunate there was a defender on hand to clear.
 
It kick started a nervous spell of pressure for the ten men, who bombarded the Royals goal with a series of corners, often with Sam Smith on the end of them to clear the danger - our number ten making an impact at both ends of the pitch.
 
Mola once again looked as though he may have rescured a point for Rovers in the fourth minute of added time. Picking up the ball from 25 yards out, he struck goalwards with an effort that looked destined for the top left hand corner - but Pereira thwarted his former teammate once more with strong finger tips.
 
From the resulting corner Pereira saved once more on his line from a point blank header, and he was able to gamely follow up with Taylor Moore ready to stab in from close range. Our Portguese keeper making a late claim for the Man of the Match award with heroics in the final stages.
 
Rovers threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Royals goal but were unable to find an equaliser, as the referee called an end to the tie with the ball safely in Pereira's hands.
 
Not the prettiest of performances from Rubén's Royals, but his dogged players were able to cap off a perfect nine point week, with attention now turning to Tuesday evening's long trip to Stockport County.

Full-time: Reading 1-0 Bristol Rovers

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Reading: Pereira, Elliott (Savage 74'), Craig, Knibbs, Ehibhatiomhan, Smith, Bindon, Mbengue, Camara (Campbell 64'), Wing ©, Garcia
Subs: Button, Wareham, Holzman, Akande, Ahmed
Goals: Smith (66')
Yellow: Bindon (74')

Bristol Rovers: Griffiths, Moore, Wilson, Mola, Sinclair © (Bilongo 67'), Ward (Lindsay 67'), Omochere (Hutchinson 43'), Sotirou (Hunt 60'), Taylor, Conteh, Forde
Subs: Thomas, McCormick, Forbes
Yellow: Omochere (21'), Forde (32'), Hunt (89'), Moore (90+3')
Red: Forde (55')