Reading progress in the Bristol Street Motors Cup

Reading 3 – 0 Newport County

Bristol Street Motors Cup
Tuesday 12th November 2024

Reading marched on in style as they secured a well-deserved 3-1 victory over Newport County in front of a buzzing crowd at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Tuesday evening. This win not only sealed their spot in the knock-out stages of the Bristol Street Motors Cup but also gave fans a thrilling night to remember, with an intense, action-packed game from the first whistle.

Right from the start, it was clear that Reading meant business. With Newport kicking off in this crucial winner-takes-all match, the Royals quickly asserted their dominance. Just two minutes in, skipper Lewis Wing almost set the stadium alight with an audacious volley from the halfway line, catching Newport’s young goalkeeper, Jacob Carney, off guard. Carney managed to recover in time to gather the ball, but it was a sign of things to come from a Reading side hungry for victory.

The Royals kept up the pressure, with Adrian Akande’s relentless pressing setting up Ben Elliott for a golden opportunity on nine minutes. Akande expertly dispossessed Newport’s Kyle Jameson, setting up Elliott to shoot from the edge of the box. The fans held their breath as the ball struck Carney’s upright, narrowly denying Reading the lead.

Reading’s skipper, Wing, was relentless, trying his luck again shortly after, only to see his effort blocked by Newport’s resolute defence. Newport responded with a long-range free kick from Bobby Kamwa that whistled just past the post in the 13th minute, giving the Royals a reminder of the threat the Exiles could pose on the counter.

As the first half progressed, Reading continued to create chances. Jayden Wareham broke through on the right, beating the offside trap, but his shot from a tight angle went wide. Moments later, Akande went close with another effort that brushed past the post. Despite Reading’s 59% possession and an impressive 27 shots by the end of the match, Newport held firm in the first half, with the scores still level at 0-0 when the whistle blew.

Half-time: Reading 0-0 Newport County

With the manager’s words ringing in their ears, the Royals came out for the second half fired up and ready to push for the goal they deserved. Just a minute in, Wareham tested Carney again, pouncing on a loose ball and firing a left-footed shot that Carney saved. Newport tried to respond, but Andre Garcia was solid at the back, blocking a shot from Oliver Greaves in the 47th minute.

After an early substitution for Reading, with Louis Holzman replacing an injured Amadou Mbengue, Newport briefly threatened through their number nine, Courtney Baker-Richardson, who forced a save from David Button in Reading’s goal. But the Royals soon regained control and kept pressing forward, eager to break the deadlock.

Their patience paid off in the 72nd minute, when one of the fresh substitutes, Harvey Knibbs, finally put Reading ahead. Lewis Wing, ever the playmaker, found Knibbs with a deft flick, and the substitute forward slotted the ball calmly into the bottom corner, sending the home fans into a roar of celebration.

Before Newport had a chance to recover, Reading struck again. Just two minutes after the opener, Chem Campbell danced past his marker on the wing and delivered a pinpoint cross into the box. Jayden Wareham was there, ready and waiting, tapping it in from close range to make it 2-0. It was a well-deserved goal for Wareham, who had worked tirelessly all evening, and Reading looked firmly in control.

Wareham came close to adding another goal, hitting the side netting with a thunderous drive from a tight angle, while Campbell also tested Carney again with a powerful shot in a one-on-one situation. Reading’s pressure and determination were relentless, and with just three minutes left, they made it three. A lucky ricochet fell kindly to Knibbs, who didn’t need a second invitation, guiding the ball into the bottom left corner to complete his brace and seal the victory.

Newport did manage a late consolation goal in the dying moments, but it was too little, too late to spoil Reading’s evening. With this 3-1 win, Reading showcased their quality, patience, and drive, progressing confidently into the next round.

The Royals’ performance was dominant, with 59% possession and a barrage of 27 shots compared to Newport’s 8, underlining their control of the game from start to finish. Fans left the stadium buzzing, thrilled by an electric night in RG2, with Reading proving they are a force to be reckoned with as they continue their journey in the Bristol Street Motors Cup.

Full-time: Reading 3-1 Newport County

Team Lineup

Reading: Button, Dorsett (Kanu 81′), Elliott, Wareham, Mbengue (Holzman 52′), Wing ©, Garcia, Akande (Campbell 63′), Ahmed (Craig 63′), Spencer (Knibbs 63′)
Subs: Boyce-Clarke, Rushesha
Goals: Knibbs (73′, 87′), Wareham (75′)
Yellow: Mbengue (11′), Garcia (28′)

Newport County: Carney, Baker, Kamwa, Baker-Richardson, Greaves, Thomas (Spellman 75′), Whitmore (Antwi 63′), Evans, McLoughlin (Evans 63′), Jameson (Clarke 46′), Wildig © (Morris 75′)
Subs: Townsend, Jephcott