Despite constant late pressure from the home team, Reading held out to secure three more points at Exeter City and climb to seventh place in the League One - just outside of the play-off positions on goal difference. The Royals opted for several changes after the weekend's 4-1 home victory over Crawley Town, which included swapping the front three and handing Jayden Wareham his first league start for Reading after 13 appearances from the bench. From kick-off, and after 45 seconds of Exeter playing the ball around in their defensive third, Wareham made the perfect start when Knibbs stole the ball from the defender and passed to Wareham who fired across the goalkeeper, putting the ball inside the post to put Reading ahead inside the first minute.
Reading had been the better side in the first half and extended their lead with nine minutes left to play of the first half, again scoring inside the box with Exeter failing to deal with Reading pressure close to goal. Michael Craig took full advantage after a shot came back out to him to make it 2-0 at half time.
After the break, Exeter improved and Reading were forced to go on the defensive. After failing to take advantage moments before when they should have scored, Exter finally pulled one back on 58 minutes to set up a very nervous last 30 minutes for the travelling Reading fans. The final 10 minutes of the game Exeter dominated and it felt like it was just a matter of time before the equaliser came, but somehow Reading held out thanks to some determined defending, the post, and Exeter's inability to take advantage of a string of decent chances.
Exeter City 1 Reading 2
Despite constant late pressure from the home team, Reading held out to secure three more points at Exeter City and climb to seventh place in the League One - just outside of the play-off positions on goal difference. The Royals opted for several changes after the weekend's 4-1 home victory over Crawley Town, which included swapping the front three and handing Jayden Wareham his first league start for Reading after 13 appearances from the bench. From kick-off, and after 45 seconds of Exeter playing the ball around in their defensive third, Wareham made the perfect start when Knibbs stole the ball from the defender and passed to Wareham who fired across the goalkeeper, putting the ball inside the post to put Reading ahead inside the first minute.
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Reading had been the better side in the first half and extended their lead with nine minutes left to play of the first half, again scoring inside the box with Exeter failing to deal with Reading pressure close to goal. Michael Craig took full advantage after a shot came back out to him to make it 2-0 at half time.
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After the break, Exeter improved and Reading were forced to go on the defensive. After failing to take advantage moments before when they should have scored, Exter finally pulled one back on 58 minutes to set up a very nervous last 30 minutes for the travelling Reading fans. The final 10 minutes of the game Exeter dominated and it felt like it was just a matter of time before the equaliser came, but somehow Reading held out thanks to some determined defending, the post, and Exeter's inability to take advantage of a string of decent chances.
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<a href="https://www.royals.org/matchreport/221024/Exeter_1_Reading_2"><strong>Exeter City 1 Reading 2</a></strong>
Discussion On This Story:
Sutekh
» 20 Oct 2024 09:50
When : Tuesday October 22 2024, 7.45pm
Where : St James Park, Stadium Way, Exeter, EX4 6PX
Capacity : 8,197 Reading take their cr@p away record down to Exeter, looking to do better than the last league visit there just over a year ago. Not only do Reading have to cope with the usual cr@pness that away visits inflict on the club but also the miserable midweek away league record of 6 wins in 58 attempts in the last 10 years and without the apparent boost of facing a team beginning with B. Exeter are in the play off places so getting anything out of this game will be a real achievement for Reading and certainly the result of the season thus far. However, thanks to Reading’s excellent home form, the club can go equal on points with Exeter if it can somehow wangle a win, though a win by two clear goals would be required to actually get above them in the table. The Grecians have only lost one home game so far this season (1-2 to Peterborough back in August) while winning all remaining games at St James Park. They have not lost a game since being beaten at Blackpool over a month ago which gives them an unbeaten run of five games (W4 D1). In addition Exeter have not conceded a goal since Blackpool’s 90th minute winner so that’s five games unbeaten and no goals conceded. However if Reading could score twice then they should get at least a point out of the game as Exeter have not scored more that two goals in any home game since beating Morecambe 3-2 back in May 2023. Threats are the forward line with both Kamari Doyle and Josh Magennis being very difficult opponents. Kamari (Brighton) is one of five loanees acquired in the summer while Josh is one of the seven permanent acquisitions made. Reading should see WiFi return for the game but Camara, Pereira and Dorsett remain on the injury list. In addition Yiadom, Clarke and Ryan remain long term casualties. After a good win over Crawley it will be interesting to see whether Selles puts Kelvin straight back in the team or selects an unchanged line up. Referee Sam Purkiss Previously 30 Sep 23 > Reading 0-0 Burton Albion Historically Exeter have been very regular opponents of Reading. In all there have been 82 league games between the sides. St James Park hasn't been too bad for Reading down the years with 16 wins achieved which is only 3 less than Exeter themselves have managed and leaves just 6 draws amongst the 41 games played. Reading have only won one of their last 4 league visits to Exeter. How to follow the game
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Mid Sussex Royal
» 20 Oct 2024 10:25
Assuming the Shrewsbury game is cancelled due to the next international break, this game starts a run of 5 away games out of the next 6 in the league.....this could define how our season will pan out. After Bristol next week we are not at home again in the league until December.
themwasthedays
» 20 Oct 2024 10:31
Any idea if it's possible to buy tickets on the day at the ground?
Snowflake Royal
» 20 Oct 2024 11:17
I don't expect Exeter to maintain their position, even though they improved towards the end of last season. But the away conditions are always pretty tricky there because of the weather and lack of shelter in the ground. They're in very good form, both at home and in general, which should be a worry, and maybe I'm underestimating their quality, but that just makes me think they're due a road bump and we could be it. Equally, our away form is pretty bad, despite some very narrow margins, so I fancy a result as I don't see us going on as long and awful an away run as we have in recent years. I'll say a pleasantly surprising 1-2 win to us. Be interesting to see what Selles does with Kelvin following the big win. I'd be inclined to bring him strraight back in, but I really want to see Savage get a run now. Akande is the obvious junior player... maybe Knibbs could work on the right, but I think the better team fit is Elliott out. I'd rather not start Garcia in two games in four days, especially away at a team in good form, but I'm not sure what our option is, short of disrupting the whole.of defence putting Mbengue out there and Dean in the middle. Maybe Abrefa will be back? Or Rushesha maybe?
WestYorksRoyal
» 20 Oct 2024 11:52
I don't feel like we can play Garcia twice a week; it's too much to demand of a 16 y/o. Not sure what the solution is if Dorsett and Abrefa are unavailable. I feel Savage should keep his place after another goal. Could Knibbs drop to the bench? I'd also rotate Campbell and Akande. We haven't been as bad as away results suggest. I'm with IR that we should do better than last season. Problem is we seem to have been dealt a bastard away hand at the start of the season. We've been to Brum, Wrexham, Bolton and Rotherham. Now it's Exeter (5th), Stockport (9th and strong at home), Stevenage (10th), Wycombe (3rd) followed by Peterborough, Barnsley and Lincoln who are all accomplished L1 sides who are a tough trip whatever the table says. We need to get some wins; the hard fixture excuse doesn't last forever. Plus, Exeter, Wycombe and Stevenage are 3 teams I would expect to fall down the table as the season goes on. We must be due a very favourable run of away games at the end of the season.
Snowflake Royal
» 20 Oct 2024 12:23
Late season CHAAAARRGE!!
Royals and Racers
» 20 Oct 2024 12:47
Slightly unfortunate that Exeter last played on Thursday and us yesterday and we have to travel as well.
RG30
» 21 Oct 2024 07:52
Nothing on the OS about it being all ticket so I would assume it is likely.
tidus_mi2
» 21 Oct 2024 09:51
I feel weirdly optimistic about this one, I think their recent form has been inflated by playing 3 of the bottom 5, while our away form has had the opposite effect after playing 3 of the top 6. Is a bit frustrating that they get 2 more days of recovery though, didn't even realise they played on Thursday.
Wycombe Royal
» 21 Oct 2024 11:31
I believe, in this great run of form they've had, they have conceded more shots than their opposition in all of those clean sheets, which is largely down to the performances of the young on loan keeper from Palace. That is some record that surely must come to an end soon. I'm not saying they have been fortunate but they aren't a great attacking team. They soak up pressure and sneak tight wins.
Snowflake Royal
» 21 Oct 2024 12:31
Ah, well we will almost certainly concede at least 1.
Clyde1998
» 21 Oct 2024 15:20
Looks like north of 700 away tickets have been sold for this game so far.
tidus_mi2
» 21 Oct 2024 15:53
Solid effort for a mid-week ~3hrs away.
South Coast Royal
» 21 Oct 2024 16:26
They played on Thursday night away and we played at home on Saturday at lunchtime so not much over a day between the two fixtures.
Also Exeter is hardly a long trip for Reading. I did watch the game on Thursday night and Exeter started very well with 3 very quick forwards and the goal was very classy.
Shrewsbury gradually got back in the game and had a lot of the ball but much of it in non-threatening areas. Ryan Woods does for Exeter what Barry Bannen does for Sheffield Wednesday and at our level is still a very good player. It could be a good watch tomorrow , I wouldn't want to call the result but expect a few goals if not so many as the game there in October 1993 (just 3 days after playing Man City in the League Cup on the Wednesday evening and losing 2-1) when we won 6-4 and it could easily have been more (for us).
LUX
» 21 Oct 2024 20:02
I remember 4-3 to us in our 1975-76 promotion season. Iirc they had Beer and Bowker as scorers. Happy days.
AthleticoSpizz
» 21 Oct 2024 20:18
….and Bob Wilson in goal. (but not THE Bob Wilson obvs)
URZZZZ
» 22 Oct 2024 10:53
Wonder if Savage could do a job at LB? Solves the midfield conundrum of who to drop as Knibbs is extremely ineffective out wide and would presume Kelvin will slot straight back in Square pegs in round holes but we’re not exactly blessed with options. Wouldn’t be starting Garcia three times in a week and the alternative is bringing Dean back in and would rather not disrupt the CB partnership
Snowflake Royal
» 22 Oct 2024 12:44
Ye-es. Probably 'a job'. Only concern would be he is a bit of a terrier, so question mark over positional discipline back there. Would rather not resort to that though.
Clyde1998
» 22 Oct 2024 15:37
Ye-es. Probably 'a job'. Only concern would be he is a bit of a terrier, so question mark over positional discipline back there. Would rather not resort to that though.
I’d agree. He’d do a job, but it’s far from ideal when we’ve got alternative options who are more comfortable in that position. I expect we’ll see Dean at CB and Mbengue moved to LB from the start before we see Savage at LB.
Snowflake Royal
» 22 Oct 2024 17:22
Given our away form, we should definitely see a more defensive line up, set up to keep it tight and frustrate so we can hopefully nick a point or win. Just going out like we're at home doesn't really work.
Pepe the Horseman
» 22 Oct 2024 17:38
Watched Exeter against Shrewsbury and the Exeter keeper kept them in it with some ridiculous saves. Expect we'll win this comfortably.
Clyde1998
» 22 Oct 2024 17:41
We’ve won more points at home in our last nine (22) as we have in our last thirty-nine away matches (21) - going back to (and including) Birmingham in December 2022. The record being W4; D9; L26. Assuming I’ve worked this out correctly as I’m travelling down. A point here would be a good.
Clyde1998
» 22 Oct 2024 18:36
Apparently both Pereira and Camara have travelled. :? :)
CBC’s not in the squad, but is part of the warm up. So he’s likely available again.
Esteban
» 22 Oct 2024 18:59
I think Ehibatiomhan might go central and Wareham out wide. Or at least be quite fluid in that formation. Neither are particularly great at holding up the ball, unfortunately.
Pepe the Horseman
» 22 Oct 2024 19:01
Does Ruben think this is a Papa John's game?
Snowflake Royal
» 22 Oct 2024 19:08
No Smith? That's a surprise. Risky playing Garcia - that's a bit more exposure than is ideal imo. Looks like Selles may be thinking similarly to me about stiffening midfield, leaving out Elliott for Savage. I feel for Royals and Racers at this difficult time. Good to see Camara and Pereira back. That bench is very winger heavy.
SCIAG
» 22 Oct 2024 19:15
Smith maybe carrying a bug or seeming fatigued in training or something? Can't imagine it's form related. Hope Kelvin is wide to act as a sort of Meite type with Wareham waddling through the middle. Kelvin is a more natural target but I also think Wareham's pretty useless outside the box.
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