Tough Battle for Young Royals Ends in Defeat

Reading’s youth squad put up a solid fight but fell 1-0 to Cheltenham Town. Although Pett’s impressive shot gave Cheltenham the win, there were plenty of positives for Reading to take away, with the young players showing loads of promise and resilience.

Strong Start for Reading

The Royals kicked off with a bang! Osho took the first shot after Button launched a long pass his way. Osho made a clever move inside and tested the Cheltenham keeper with a low shot. It earned a corner, but Rushesha’s cross flew over everyone’s heads in the box.

After that, Cheltenham started to get more control and didn’t give Reading much space. Their first chance came from a corner towards the far post, but Norkett’s header missed the mark.

Defensive Battles and Near Misses

Cheltenham kept coming at Reading, pressing hard and putting pressure on the defence. The Royals held their ground well, staying strong as the game reached the 20-minute mark. Cheltenham kept pushing forward, sending crosses into the box, but Button and the defenders were up for the challenge.

Around halfway through the first half, Reading had a nice bit of play, moving the ball up the field. But with Cheltenham pressing hard, they had to pass back, and Button ended up clearing to avoid any risks.

The biggest scare for Reading came when Button’s mis-hit clearance landed right at Pett’s feet, about 30 yards out. Pett attempted a lob over Button, but it bounced wide, giving everyone a bit of relief.

Best Chance for Reading

Reading had some bright moments too. Rushesha and Osho combined well on the left side, with Osho whipping a cross into the box. Akande got himself into a good spot near the penalty area, but Cheltenham’s defence closed him down before he could shoot. Just a few moments later, Akande showed some skills, slipping past two defenders and passing to Tuma in the box. Tuma tried to cross, but it deflected out for a throw-in.

Reading had their best spell just before half-time, keeping Cheltenham pinned back. Spencer had a go from outside the box, but his shot went just over the bar.

Cheltenham nearly took the lead just before the break when Bowman found space and hit a shot that beat Button, but it bounced off the post. That was close!

Half-Time Score: 0-0

Second Half Pressure

Cheltenham came out firing in the second half, sending balls into the box straight away. Reading struggled a bit to keep possession, but they didn’t back down.

Akande nearly broke through when he sprinted past his marker and found himself one-on-one with the Cheltenham keeper. He took his shot, but the keeper managed to tip it behind for a corner, which got cleared.

Taylor from Cheltenham was causing problems for Reading. He had another shot on target after Ahmed set him up, but Button saved it comfortably.

Reading’s Flurry of Chances

Reading had a burst of chances shortly after. Rushesha took a free-kick just outside the box, but Day punched it away. The ball stayed in play, and Ahmed’s cross took a deflection, almost sneaking into the far corner.

Substitute Wellens tried an ambitious volley from Rushesha’s chipped pass, but he couldn’t quite get the connection he wanted.

Button made an incredible save when Bowman’s close-range header seemed like it was going in. Button’s reactions were spot-on, denying what looked like a certain goal.

Cheltenham Take the Lead

With time ticking down, Cheltenham finally broke the deadlock. A loose ball bounced to Pett at the edge of the box, and he hit a powerful half-volley past Button to put Cheltenham ahead.

Final Push

In the last few minutes, an injury break gave Reading a chance to regroup. Beacroft nearly caught Cheltenham’s keeper off guard with a cross that almost crept in at the back post.

Reading went all out in added time, pumping long balls forward, hoping for an equaliser. Cheltenham had one last chance with a free header at the far post, but Button was in the right place to save it.

Despite a brave performance, the Young Royals couldn’t find a way back, and Cheltenham held on to take the victory.

Full-Time Score: Cheltenham Town 1-0 Reading

Team Lineups

Cheltenham Town: Day, Taylor (Thomas 64’), Norkett (Jude-Boyd 64’), Bowman, Dulson, Bakare, Sohna (Colwill 64’), Shipley, Willcox, Pett, Liggett
Subs: Diallo, Payne, King, Tustin
Goal: Pett (78’)
Yellow: Colwill (70’), Liggett (90’), Shipley (90+4’)

Reading FC: Button, Rushesha, Tuma, Holzman, Akande, Stickland, Ahmed (Beacroft 73’), Sackey (Wellens 59’), Spencer, Osho (Okine-Peters 73’), Barough (Senga 74’)
Subs: Boyce-Clark, Borgnis, Duah
Yellow: Akande (46’)

Up the Ding!