Reading U23s beaten by late City flurry

Three goals in the final ten minutes gave City a welcome first pre-season victory against a Reading U23 side at Twerton Park this evening. The first half saw the visitors – with last season’s loan cult hero Axel Andresson in their line-up – pass the ball around confidently, although this approach did lead to a few nervous moments at the back as City looked to press high up the pitch. It was Reading who struck first just before the half-hour mark. A ball forward had City vainly appealing for offside as Regis took full advantage of the space to lash a shot past Matt Cafer into the roof of the net. The closest City came to levelling before the interval was when Harrison Bennett’s low free-kick was pushed out by Rosario only for Nat Jarvis to slide the rebound the wrong side of the post. The break saw City make eight changes – just Cafer, Dan Ball and Naby Diallo staying on the pitch – and the opening exchanges of the second half were more even. Reading changed their entire XI on the hour and, whilst still a threat going forward, looked more vunerable at the back. And with eight minutes left City took advantage to net their first goal of the close season, Lucas Capoue shooting home after Frankie Artus’ corner had picked him out at the far post. Cafer produced a great double stop from House to prevent the Royals restoring their lead almost immedidately but Marvin Morgan should have put City in front moments later when a wayward pass sent him clear on goal. He rounded Harris but then shot against the post with the goal gaping. However on 88 minutes another poor clearance fell to Capoue and he set up Jamie Lucas to beat Harris from eight yards. And the turnaround was completed in the last minute when Reece Misso tried his luck from 25 yards and saw a deflection wrong-foot the unfortunate keeper.