Royals Stage Come Back on the Road at Wigan
Date: 1st March 2025
Venue: The Brick Community Stadium, Wigan
Attendance: 9,402 (526 away fans)
Match Overview
Reading FC orchestrated a remarkable comeback to triumph over Wigan Athletic with a 2-1 victory at The Brick Community Stadium. Despite trailing by a goal, the Royals showcased resilience and tactical prowess to secure all three points.
First Half
The match commenced under clear skies, with Reading asserting early dominance. Midfielder Lewis Wing attempted an ambitious 30-yard strike, which sailed over the crossbar. Moments later, Wing connected with Charlie Savage on a set piece, forcing Wigan’s goalkeeper, Sam Tickle, into a crucial save. The ensuing corner saw Savage’s effort narrowly miss the target, reflecting Reading’s strong start.
As the half progressed, both teams vied for control. Reading’s Andre Garcia unleashed a powerful volley from inside the box at the half-hour mark, compelling Tickle to make a vital save. Shortly after, Harvey Knibbs’ deflected shot grazed over the bar, and Tyler Bindon’s deft control led to an attempt that Tickle managed to parry. Wigan’s Jonny Smith posed a late threat in the half, but goalkeeper Joel Pereira’s timely intervention ensured the teams entered the break on level terms.
Second Half
The second half began with both sides probing for an advantage. Wigan broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Jason Kerr headed home from a corner, capitalising on a lapse in Reading’s set-piece defense. Undeterred, Reading sought an equaliser. A Lewis Wing free-kick narrowly missed the post, and tactical substitutions ensued, with captain Andy Yiadom returning to bolster the squad.
The equaliser materialised in the 71st minute. Charlie Savage delivered a precise pass to Jayden Wareham, who adeptly controlled and finished past Tickle. Buoyed by the goal, Reading intensified their assault. Amadou Mbengue’s header struck the crossbar, and the subsequent scramble led to a corner. From this set piece, Adrian Akande’s shot found Tyler Bindon, who, after an initial block, slotted the ball into the net, securing Reading’s lead.
Match Statistics
| Statistic | Wigan Athletic | Reading FC |
|---|---|---|
| Ball Possession | 44% | 56% |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.80 | 0.40 |
| Total Shots | 19 | 7 |
| Shots on Target | 7 | 4 |
| Big Chances | 3 | 0 |
| Accurate Passes | 379 (80%) | 274 (75%) |
| Fouls Committed | 8 | 10 |
| Corners | 7 | 8 |
Analysis of Key Statistics
Ball Possession: Reading’s 56% possession indicates their control over the game’s tempo, allowing them to dictate play and create opportunities.
Expected Goals (xG): Despite Wigan’s higher xG of 1.80 compared to Reading’s 0.40, the Royals’ clinical finishing proved decisive.
Total Shots and Shots on Target: Wigan’s 19 shots with 7 on target highlight their offensive efforts, but Reading’s efficiency with 7 shots and 4 on target underscores their effective chance conversion.
Big Chances: Wigan’s 3 big chances, contrasted with Reading’s none, suggest that while Wigan created more clear-cut opportunities, they struggled to capitalize fully.
Passing Accuracy: Both teams exhibited commendable passing accuracy, with Wigan at 80% and Reading at 75%, facilitating fluid play and retention.
Fouls and Discipline: Reading committed more fouls (10) than Wigan (8), reflecting their aggressive pressing strategy. Notably, Reading received one yellow card, while Wigan had none.
Corners: The closely matched corner count (Wigan 7, Reading 8) indicates both teams’ offensive ventures and set-piece opportunities.
Conclusion
Reading FC’s resilience and tactical nous were on full display as they overturned a deficit to claim a crucial 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic. Despite the Latics’ early dominance and higher expected goals tally, the Royals capitalised on their limited opportunities with clinical finishing and well-executed set pieces. Jayden Wareham’s equaliser shifted the momentum in Reading’s favour, while Tyler Bindon’s late strike sealed a hard-fought win.
Wigan, despite their higher shot count and greater attacking intent, will rue their missed opportunities. Their inability to convert big chances ultimately cost them, while Reading’s defensive organisation and decisive attacking moments proved to be the difference.
With this result, Noel Hunt’s side extends their unbeaten streak to six games, keeping them firmly in the hunt for a top-six finish. The Royals will look to build on this performance as they continue their push for promotion, while Wigan will need to regroup and find consistency to avoid slipping further down the table.
Overall, it was a well-contested match that highlighted the importance of resilience, tactical flexibility, and capitalising on key moments—an enthralling encounter that saw Reading emerge victorious in Lancashire, with the highlight of Captain Andy Yiadom returning off the bench after an 11 month absence due to injury.
