It was a tough day at the office for the Royals as Wrexham dominated with a 3-0 victory on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Ollie Palmer, Elliott Lee, and Andy Cannon. Despite the energy from nearly 1,300 traveling Reading fans at the Racecourse Ground, Reading couldn’t find their way into the game.
The Royals started strong, with both teams eager to grab control. The first real chance came after 10 minutes when Ben Elliott fouled Ollie Palmer just outside the box, giving Wrexham a free kick. Fortunately for Reading, Elliott Lee’s attempt flew high and wide.
Reading’s first sight of goal came in the 14th minute with some slick play down the right. Michael Craig, Adrian Akande, and Ben Elliott combined beautifully before Elliott squared the ball to Charlie Savage. Savage’s shot was blocked at close range, but it felt like a goal could be coming. Reading had a good spell of possession, but Wrexham’s defense was solid, preventing any real chances.
Wrexham struck first, though, with Ollie Palmer rising high in the 23rd minute to head home. At 6ft5, Palmer was impossible to stop, meeting a cross from the right and nodding it past Joel Pereira to make it 1-0. The game came alive after that, with Reading looking to hit back immediately. The Royals had two half-hearted penalty appeals waved away before Wrexham countered, forcing a good save from Pereira.
Adrian Akande looked lively on the wing, breaking away from his marker, but his cross-shot flew harmlessly over the goal. Just when Reading seemed to be building some momentum, Wrexham doubled their lead. After James McClean’s shot hit the post, Pereira pulled off an incredible double save, but Elliott Lee pounced on the rebound to make it 2-0.
Reading kept pushing, with Tyler Bindon heading just over the bar and Ben Elliott firing over from the edge of the box before halftime, but Wrexham went into the break with a comfortable two-goal lead.
Half-time: Wrexham 2-0 Reading
The second half started disastrously for Reading. Just three minutes in, Andy Cannon unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box to make it 3-0. Pereira couldn’t keep it out, and suddenly Reading had a mountain to climb.
Charlie Savage had a chance to pull one back, meeting a Sam Smith header inside the box, but he couldn’t keep his shot down, and it sailed over the bar. Reading showed glimpses of promise, but Wrexham looked more likely to score a fourth. James McClean volleyed over, and Elliott Lee came close with a header.
In the 68th minute, Lewis Wing had a decent opportunity from a free kick, bending it towards the top corner, but the ball just skimmed over the bar. Jeriel Dorsett had Reading’s best chance of the half, bravely going in for a shot, but Wrexham’s keeper Okonkwo denied him at close range, even taking Dorsett out in the process.
Wing tried his luck again from 25 yards, but it flew over, summing up a frustrating afternoon for the Royals. As the game neared its end, substitute Tivonge Rushesha came closest, hitting the bar with a strike that bounced down but didn’t cross the line – a perfect reflection of how Reading’s day went.
After six minutes of added time, the final whistle blew, confirming a 3-0 defeat. It was a disappointing performance for the Royals, who will need to bounce back in the next game.
Full-time: Wrexham 3-0 Reading
Line-ups
Wrexham: Okonkwo, Cleworth, O’Connell, O’Conner, McClean (c), Cannon (Jones 81′), Palmer (Fletcher 66′), Marriott (Mullin 73′), Dobson, Barnett (Revan 81′), Lee
Subs: Burton, Bolton, Revan, Scarr
Goals: Palmer (23′), Lee (33′), Cannon (49′)
Reading: Pereira, Dorsett (Garcia 76′), Elliott (Abrefa 83′), Craig, Savage (Rushesha 76′), Ehibhatiomhan, Smith (Wareham 76′), Bindon, Mbengue, Wing (c), Akande (Tuma 76′)
Subs: Boyce-Clarke, Dean
Yellow: Smith (28′), Elliott (56′)
