Under 18s
Allied Counties Youth Football League Central Division Tue 17 December The Rivermoor
Reading City
  • Taplin (3', 51')
  • Own Goal (41')
  • Baker (45', 85')
  • Goodwin (57')
  • Friday (76')
  • Corker (87')
8
Windsor & Eton
1
8-1

Coming into this game our Under 18s would be hoping to not only do the league double over our Royal visitors having won 1-4 at Stag Meadow earlier in the season, but also end 2024 which has been a memorable year for our youngsters both on and off the pitch on a high!

There was excitement ahead of kick-off with new signing Szymon Koscielniak coming in for the suspended Leo Wilkinson, having picked up a red card last time out.

City started the game brightly as Lucas Taplin found the opening goal with three minutes on the clock.

As we approached half-time, Windsor gifted us a second goal as they put the ball into the back of their own net.

The referee called time on the first half and our youngsters went in two goals to the good, a very strong start for on derby night.

Just like the first half, city had a fast start to the second as Reiss Baker made it 3-0 in the forty sixth minute.

The goals kept coming and with Lucas Taplin made it 4-0, earning himself a brace with fifty one minutes on the clock.

Derby nights tend to bring drama, and tonight was no different. With fifty one minutes on the clock, there was a pause in play as the referee pulled a muscle, as a result a change of personnel was required. The linesman replaced the referee and Simon Eade, a member of our coaching team was drafted in to replace the linesman.

With the game back underway, Reiss Baker would earn himself a brace as we extended our lead to 5-0 with fifty seven minutes played.

City then made a triple substutition with Charlie Gmiterek, Keigan Allen and Joe Corker replacing Finley Meikle, Louis Eade and Lucas Taplin.

With sixty four minutes played, there was another change to personnel as Jay Herbert and Archie Simpson replaced Sam Waller and Will Norton. Jay Herbert took the armband from Sam Waller.

As we moved into the final fifteen minutes, city continued to be rampant in front of goal as Archie Friday made it 6-0.

With five minutes of regular time remaining, city were still looking dangerous and Adam Goodwin found the back of the net to make it 7-0.

With just three minutes of regular time remaining, Joe Corker extended our lead to 8-0, ensuring this will be a derby night that lives long in the memory.

In the final minute of the game, Windsor & Eton unexpectedly pulled one back to earn themselves a consolation goal.