The points shared in RG2
Reading and Stevenage played out a 1-1 draw at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, as the Royals made it ten unbeaten in the league.
The game got underway in the glorious sunshine of the Select Car Leasing Stadium, with the hosts shooting towards Club 1871 and guest drummer Amadou Mbengue!
Stevenage were first on the attack in the fourth minute when Dan Kemp won a freekick on the edge of Reading's box, he picked himself to shoot from the set piece, but he couldn't beat the wall.
On 18 minutes The Royals created their best opening so far. Some excellent interchange through the midfield found Knibbs on the edge of the box. Knibbs smart diverted the ball towards Chem Campbell who fired towards the near post but the Stevenage goalkeeper was equal to it.
On 31 minutes the action was down the other side. Stevenage attacked with patience down the right-hand side before hanging a smart cross up towards Dan Kemp at the back post. The forward struck the ball on the volley, with venom, but Joel Pereira stretched to his left hand side to divert the ball to safety.
Moments later, the Royals rushed down the other end and Wareham smartly laid the ball to Wing on the edge of the box, but he could only guide it over the bar.
After three minutes of additional time, the referee blew for half time with the game goalless.
Half-time: Reading 0-0 Stevenage
The game restarted with The Royals kicking towards the Eamon Dolan stand, and applying strong pressure to the Stevenage goal – and after just 5 minutes the deadlock was broken. An in-swinging Charlie Savage corner looked destined for Tyler Bindon’s head; however, his glance inadvertently hit the shoulder of Stevenage skipper Piergianni who deflected the ball in to the top corner. 1-0 Royals!
On 57 minutes Stevenage almost had themselves level. A long throw in to the Reading box was only half cleared and found the right foot of Dan Kemp. His volley pierced through the crowd but Pereira was able to palm the ball clear.
However, just a minute later Stevenage fired back. Butler forced himself down the left side and looped a cross in to the box, with Piergianni rising to meet – the header was accurate and nestled in to the bottom left corner. 1-1.
After some breaks in play, things livened up on 77 minutes as the Royals countered quickly. The ball was worked to Ehibhatiomhan in the box who was felled but the referee waved away penalty protests. The Royals kept the ball alive however and worked the ball to Knibbs who fired a half volley wide from the edge of the box. Just a minute later Stevenage also fired from distance, with Robert’s powerful low effort just evading the left post.
The referee signalled for eight extra minutes with both teams looking for a winner. Mamadi Camara tested the goalkeeper from distance shortly before The Royals were lucky to escape a goalmouth scramble down the other end.
Despite the efforts of both side there were no more goals and the game finished 1-1.
Full time: Reading 1 – 1 Stevenage
Reading: Pereira, Abrefa, Knibbs, Savage (Carroll 90+7’), Ehibhatiomhan, Yiadom © (Holzman 76’), Wareham (Camara 76’), Campbell (Akande 89’), Bindon, Wing, Garcia (Rushesha 76’)
Subs: Button, Bodin,
Goals: Piergianni OG (49’),
Yellows: Wing (59’), Savage (78’)
Stevenage: Cooper, Butler, Piergianni ©, Freeman (Freestone 44’), Kemp, Roberts, Goode, Reid (List 90+6’), Thompson (White 85’), King, Hanlan (Young 85’)
Subs: Ashby-Hammond, Sweeney, Appéré,
Goals: Piergianni (60’)
Attendance: 13,984 (visiting 343)