Simon Johnson and his Cityzens made the short trip to South Oxfordshire to face our near neighbours Wallingford & Crowmarsh and City youngster Harlen Lewis was handed his full debut.

There was an early break in play after the linesman pulled his hamstring on the far touchline.

In an uneventful game, there wasn’t much action. With half hour gone Wally almost found the opener after a long throw from Ryan Sheppard was flicked on by Ellis Hercules before being finished off with an overhead kick from Aiden Higgs which past the post rather than troubling Charlie York.

Liam Baker was the first player in the referee’s book having been shown yellow with forty five minutes played.

The referee called time on the first half and it was goalless at the break. A big forty five minutes to follow.

HALF TIME: Wallingford & Crowmarsh 0 v Reading City 0 

With the game back underway, frustration began to boil as both teams fought for an opening goal and with fifty minutes played, Ellis Hercules was booked for our hosts.

City youngster Harlen Lewis making his full debut this evening was replaced by Luke Donville with fifty three minutes played.

City then grew into the game and began to apply pressure on Wally. Ellis Hercules made a great block for our hosts. The City bench also shouted for a penalty but that was waived away by the referee.

With sixty five minutes played, Simon Johnson once again called upon his bench in the hope of breaking the deadlock, replacing Eddie Lazarczuk with Lamin Sankoh.

With sixty nine minutes played, Alfie Grant was shown yellow. Rob Gerrard then replaced Liam Baker as Simon Johnson continued to ring the changes.

Our hosts made a substitution with twenty minutes to go as Luke Hayward replaced Caelan Isaac.  This was immediately followed by a change of personnel from City as Ellis Cowd replaced Alfie Grant.

City who had grown into the game this second eventually got the opening goal from Ellis Cowd, making an instant impact from the bench.

Our hosts continued to ring the changes as Ty Hamilton replaced Tom Carter.

Unfortunately our lead was short-lived as our hosts found an equaliser with six minutes of regular time to go after Ewan Atchinson got the better of Charlie York with a powerful and guided shot on goal.

Our hosts made a final change following the goal with Lewis Carrigan replacing Ryan Sheppard.

City then made their final change with two minutes to go as Daniel Smith replaced Archie Denton.

FULL TIME: Wallingford & Crowmarsh 1 v Reading City 1

The referee called time on proceedings and both sides would have to settle for a point in what finished up being an entertaining game.

Johnson’s Cityzens are back in action on Saturday when we welcome Berks County to the Rivermoor in our first ever competitive meeting.