| Competition | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
| U-19 Friendly | Saturday, 18th August (11am) | Southampton | Away | Won 3-0 |
Match facts:
Reading goals: Scott Williams,
Adam Campion, Declan O'Hara
Assists:
Opposition goals: None
Half-time: Southampton 0 Reading 3
Gamebreaker:
Attendance:
Reading line-up: Simon Cox, Declan
O'Hara, Ricky Allaway, Alex Stanley, Justin Wilson, Adam Campion,
Steve Laidler, Jason Awbery, Matt Birnie, Scott Williams, Andre
Fashanu
Subs: Louie Soares, Joey Alcott, Nathan Stamp
Reading yellow cards:
Reading red cards:
Match report:
By a guest reporter:
This result was marred by a knee injury to Andre Fashanu, the extent of which is not known.
This friendly was played as if it was a Cup Final with Southampton seeking revenge for the two defeats inflicted on them by Reading last season. Admittedly, Southampton were for most of the match vastly superior in ability and technique but Reading again showed their Premiership rivals how to win matches. Reading were under pressure for the first 30 minutes but Simon Cox did not have to make a save. Then, from a long clearance from Cox, Adam Campion burst clear on the right and sent in an excellent cross. Scott Williams, the smallest man on the pitch, was able to power in an unstoppable header.
Three minutes later it was two. Given a free kick 25 yards out, Campion curled a beautiful shot over the wall to score. The home side were rocked but worse was to come - another long clearance from Cox, flicked on by Andre Fashanu, was turned aside by the home keeper. From the corner, Declan O'Hara rose unchallenged to head home. Half-time followed soon after.
After the break Southampton made four changes and soon had Reading on the back foot. Two of the players introduced were outstanding and instrumental in all pressure applied, but try as they may they could not score, hitting the bar twice and Cox saving a piledriver.
This was a Reading performance of grit and desire to match their Premiership rivals and as they did last year achieve a win. Kevin Dillon has installed in his players his hatred of defeat, and I am sure that as last year Reading will be a match for all-comers. They start their Under-19 League campaign against last year's beaten FA Youth Cup finalists Blackburn Rovers, with many of this side being in the reserve squad this season.
Match notes:
Justin Wilson is.a left-back trialist previously at Fulham. (I previously had his name down as Josh Adge.)
Later news - Andre Fashanu's injury was to his knee. Also, Jason Awbery picked up a hamstring injury and Matt Birnie injured his ankle.
Match preview:
None.
Ticket information:
None.
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