U23 Report: Reading 2-0 Saints

Only their second defeat of an otherwise successful league campaign to date, Danny Loader and Ben House were on the scoresheet for the home side, who largely controlled the tie after taking the lead in the 65th minute.

The visitors weren't without their own threat, especially second half, but failed to test Liam Driscoll in the Reading upright, and didn't manage to impose themselves on the game as successfully as recent weeks.

Both sides were guilty of a little carelessness in possession in the first 45 minutes, meaning a first half of restricted goalmouth action.

Three chances of note came and went - two for the hosts, and one for Saints - but, fairly evenly matched, the sides appeared to be cancelling one another out.

Danger man House fired an early warning shot in the fourth minute, crashing a header off the crossbar, which was followed up by Loader, who gently nodded into the grasp of Rose.

Full-back Teddy Howe, who had earlier delivered a lovely cross for Loader's attempt, caused some defensive confusion in his own half in the 22nd minute, gifting Michael Obafemi a sight of goal.

A misplaced back pass was pounced on by the visiting striker, who bent a shot marginally wide from range, with Royals keeper Driscoll stranded.

Then Rose, a bystander after his fourth minute intervention, was forced into a superb double save, palming Callum Harriott's swerving drive, before smothering the impending danger from Loader, who looked odds on to find the net.

Again, Rose was Saints' saviour just after the restart. An in-swinging corner was whipped in from the left, catching most unawares, but the former West Brom man was across his line quickly, pushing to safety.

Saints livened up thereafter, much owing to the directness of Marcus Barnes down the right. Accompanied by youngster Kayne Ramsay, the duo fashioned a crossing opportunity on the hour mark, finding Rowthorn, whose shot was charged down.

The ball then landed at the feet of Will Smallbone, who volleyed off balance, and wasn't able to guide his effort on target.

Moments later, while the visitors had the momentum, it was Reading who broke the deadlock. Loader was the beneficiary, side-footing into Saints' net from eight yards after a quick breakaway.

One became two in the 80th minute, as Reading pressed their advantage home. House was left unmarked in the area, and was able to find the far corner from Loader's low cross.

On as a sub, Jonathan Afolabi had the chance to reduce arrears seven minutes from time, but side-footed agonisingly wide from close range.

Head to Head Stats

• Possession (%)
  56

  44
• Shots
  22

  9
• Shots on target
  8

  1
• Corners
  4

  0
• Passes Complete
  385

  284