On Saturday, 15th March 2025, Reading FC hosted Stevenage at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in a Sky Bet League One fixture. The match concluded in a 1-1 draw, extending the Royals’ unbeaten streak in the league to ten games. The attendance for the match was 13,984, which included 343 away supporters.
I was luck enough to invite my Hook United U10 coaches to the trophy room hospitality, as well read out the safety announcement before the match, but more about that on a separate article in the week.
First Half
The game commenced under bright sunshine, with Reading attacking towards the Club 1871 stand, accompanied by guest drummer Amadou Mbengue. Stevenage initiated the first significant attack in the fourth minute when Dan Kemp earned a free-kick on the edge of Reading’s penalty area. Kemp took the set-piece himself but was unable to bypass the defensive wall.
In the 18th minute, Reading crafted their first notable opportunity. A series of precise passes through the midfield culminated with Knibbs receiving the ball at the edge of the box. Knibbs cleverly redirected it to Chem Campbell, who aimed for the near post, but the Stevenage goalkeeper was well-positioned to make the save.
Stevenage responded in the 31st minute with a patient build-up down the right flank. They delivered a well-placed cross to Dan Kemp at the back post. Kemp struck a powerful volley, but Reading’s goalkeeper, Joel Pereira, made an impressive save, diving to his left to parry the ball away.
Shortly after, Reading countered, with Wareham setting up Wing on the edge of the box. However, Wing’s attempt sailed over the crossbar. The first half concluded goalless after three minutes of additional time.
Second Half
The Royals began the second half attacking towards the Eamon Dolan stand and applied immediate pressure. Just five minutes in, they broke the deadlock. Charlie Savage delivered an in-swinging corner targeting Tyler Bindon. Bindon’s glancing header inadvertently deflected off Stevenage captain Piergianni’s shoulder, sending the ball into the top corner and giving Reading a 1-0 lead.
Stevenage nearly equalized in the 57th minute. A long throw into Reading’s box was partially cleared, landing at Dan Kemp’s feet. His volley through a crowd of players was met by Pereira, who managed to palm the ball away. However, just a minute later, Stevenage leveled the score. Butler advanced down the left wing and delivered a looping cross into the box. Piergianni rose highest to meet it, directing his header into the bottom left corner, making it 1-1.
The match experienced several stoppages, but action resumed in the 77th minute when Reading launched a swift counter-attack. The ball found its way to Ehibhatiomhan in the box, who was brought down, but the referee dismissed appeals for a penalty. The Royals maintained possession, and Knibbs attempted a half-volley from the edge of the box, which went wide. A minute later, Stevenage’s Roberts unleashed a powerful low shot from distance, narrowly missing the left post.
The referee indicated eight minutes of added time, during which both teams sought a winner. Mamadi Camara tested the Stevenage goalkeeper from distance, and Reading survived a goalmouth scramble at the other end. Despite these efforts, the match concluded without further goals, ending in a 1-1 draw.
Match Highlights
Match Statistics
Managers Reaction
Reading FC
Via BBC Berkshire
Stevenage
Players Reaction
Tyler Bindon
Via BBC Berkshire
Analysis
Reading controlled much of the game, enjoying 57% possession and creating more chances than their opponents. Their expected goals (xG) tally of 0.39 compared to Stockport’s 1.28 highlights that Stockport, on paper, were the more threatening side. However, both sides inability to convert more than one of their shots into goals proved costly.
Defensively, Reading struggled in aerial battles, winning just 45% of their duels compared to Stockport’s 67%. The visitors capitalised on this, with their equaliser coming from a header. On the positive side, Reading’s passing game was strong in midfield, though their accuracy (75%) was slightly above Stockport’s 69%.
Despite dropping two points at home, the Royals remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, sitting 8th in League One with 59 points. Their unbeaten run continues, but they’ll need to find a ruthless edge in attack if they want to climb higher in the table.
Reading now have a 2 week break to rest the legs having had a high number of games in a short space of time. the next game in 13 days time against 18th place Peterborough United, Reading will be hoping to be able to regroup and come back strong for their final 9 games of the season as they continue their playoff push.
