Starting the New Year with three points
A brace from Knibbs before a special Smith effort sealed all three points to make it three wins on the bounce, and the best way to start 2025.
The hosts burst out of the blocks, with Joel Pereira forced into action within the first 30 seconds. The Royals' keeper reacted quickly to smother the ball at the feet of Cambridge forward Smith, denying him an early chance to strike.
Cambridge continued to apply early pressure, with Smith testing Pereira from the edge of the box. However, the Reading stopper was equal to the effort, standing firm to keep the scores level.
Reading's first opportunity came moments later when Mama Camara laid the ball off cleverly to Charlie Savage, who tried his luck from distance. Unfortunately, his shot sailed over the bar. Another half-chance followed for the Royals, as Lewis Wing fired a low effort, but Cambridge's Michael Morrison threw his body in the way to block the attempt before it could trouble keeper Jack Stevens.
After a frantic start, the match began to settle, with both sides battling for control in midfield. Cambridge remained a threat, with Nlundulu cutting in from the right and unleashing a shot that Pereira comfortably gathered. Smith, lively throughout the half, continued to pose questions of the Royals' defence, forcing another smart save from Pereira with a low drive from the edge of the box.
Five minutes before the break, Reading struck. A high turnover in possession earned a corner, which Savage delivered low to Harvey Knibbs. The initial attempt was recycled, as Holzman and Wing combined before Holzman whipped a ball into the six-yard box. The delivery found its way to Knibbs, who turned it home to give the Royals the lead.
Cambridge nearly found an immediate response, with Stokes' effort deflected onto the post by Chem Campbell. From the resulting corner, Reading broke quickly in a six-on-two counterattack. Campbell carried the ball forward and played in Camara then on to Smith, but the forward couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet, and the chance went begging.
As the half drew to a close, Cambridge delivered a couple of dangerous balls into the Reading penalty area. However, the Royals' defence stood strong, ensuring they carried a slender lead into the break.
Half-time: Cambridge United 0-1 Reading
The second half began with a lightning-fast response from the hosts, who drew level just two minutes after the restart. From a corner delivery, Kachunga capitalised on loose marking at the back post to slot into an empty net, bringing the Abbey Stadium to life.
Buoyed by their equaliser, Cambridge looked to press for a second. However, it was the Royals who regained the lead with their first real attacking move of the half. Chem Campbell delivered a dangerous, fizzed cross into the box that was partially cleared by a defender. The loose ball fell to Charlie Savage, whose driven effort deflected into the path of Harvey Knibbs. The midfielder made no mistake, finishing clinically to put Reading back in front.
The contest remained scrappy throughout, epitomised when Camara went down injured, briefly leaving the Royals a man short. A miscued clearance from Garcia nearly allowed Nlundulu to capitalise, but after a moment of chaos in the Reading box, Knibbs eventually cleared the danger.
With Camara unable to continue, Kanu came on and immediately adjusted to the pace of the game. He made a vital contribution with a goal-saving challenge at the back post, denying what looked like a certain Cambridge equaliser.
Reading almost added a third from a set-piece. Knibbs found space at the back post and nodded the ball across goal, where Sam Smith came agonisingly close to turning it in. Unfortunately, the ball just evaded the Royals’ number 10.
As the match entered the final stages, Cambridge threw everything forward in search of another equaliser. The Royals, however, held firm, defending resolutely and looking dangerous on the break.
With ten minutes to go, Reading sealed the win in spectacular fashion. A long ball forward from Lewis Wing found Smith running away from goal. On the bounce, Smith unleashed an audacious strike that looped over the keeper and nestled into the net, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch and in the dugout.
The third goal completely knocked the wind out of Cambridge’s sails. Reading took control of the final minutes, dictating play to see out a hard-earned victory and kick off 2025 with three crucial points.
Full-time: Cambridge United 1-3 Reading
Cambridge United: Stevens, Bennett, Andrew, Morrison, Brophy (Richards 85’), Nlundulu, Kuchunga (Loft 72’), Smith (Barton 78’), Okedina, Stokes, Cousins
Unused subs: Reyes, Watts, Iben Rossi, Nyoku
Goals: Kachunga (47’)
Yellow: Brophy (70’)
Reading: Pereira, Dean, Knibbs, Savage (Rushesha 87’), Smith (Wareham 87’), Campbell, Bindon, Camara (Kanu 59’), Wing, Garcia, Holzman (Abrefa (85’)
Unused subs: Button, Sackey, Osho
Goals: Knibbs (39’, 52’), Smith (83’)
Yellow: Holzman (80’), Wing (90+2')