Our final game of 2024! Simon Johnson’s side were back in action down at the Rivermoor last Saturday, ready and raring to go against near-neighbours Wallingford and Crowmarsh. Following a historic year, this fixture was crucial for our City first team to sign off the year with a bang.

Ahead of the match, Johnson’s team underwent three changes from the side named for our clash with Ascot, which ended in a narrow victory for the hosts. Lamine Sankoh, Liam Baker and Declan Joyce entered for Bobbi Emery and Archie Denton, whilst Ellis Cowd began as a substitute. The bench also consisted of Harlen Lewis, Jamie Barker, Joe Pilling and Phil Veal.

Kick-Off: Reading City 0-0 Wallingford and Crowmarsh

Skipper Josh Baines got us underway, and the match began with a high intensity from both sides. 

Wallingford were awarded the first set play of the game, with a long throw from the visiting side entering the area and ricocheting, before drifting towards the goal line. City ‘keeper Charlie York was on hand to clear the danger, and pushed back to prevent the chance.

A dangerous cross from the right was brilliantly defended by forward Pele Hagger, who knocked out the effort for a corner. The resulting set piece swung into the box, only narrowly missing the intended target, and a header on the rebound was calmly palmed out by York.

City’s first corner of the game fell minutes later, taken from the right, falling to the head of one of the visiting backline. Hagger attempted to recover the loose ball, but it was unfortunately cleared.

As the clock ticked over to the twelfth minute, Captain Baines curled a direct free kick towards goal from the edge of the eighteen yard box, dipping over a wall of three Wallingford defenders. Sadly, his effort couldn’t reach a player in blue, and the visiting side reclaimed possession.

A short break in play followed as Wallingford’s Higgs went to ground with a knock to his leg. Once play resumed and treatment had been completed, a City goal kick – taken short – saw the home side continue to press forward.

A sublime link-up in play sees Baines drive a loose ball up the pitch, cutting a ball through the midfield before crossing to Hagger on the wing. He darts the ball into the area, but his effort was stopped at the edge.

Moments later, a fantastic ball from Lucas Wynn was sent across the face of goal towards Joel Valentin, with the midfielder looking to take a touch and tap it in at the near post. His effort just went wide and the ball rolled out of play.

Half an hour gone, and the visitors got the ball into the back of the net, following a battle in the box and a side-footed shot, but the linesman had his flag raised before it crossed the line. With the scoreline remaining equal after an intense period, it was still anyone’s game.

Piling on the pressure further, an indirect free kick soared from twenty yards out from the visitors, hovering dangerously. Defender Luke Donville and Lucas Wynn paired up to block the shot, with Donville making the initial clearance, and the forward further ridding the danger.

On the counter, Baines nicely sets up Ewan Lynch, however Wallingford’s defence surrounded the ball in an attempt to contain. A round of touches in the area almost sees the ball cross the line, but City’s efforts were stopped mere moments before. 

Before the break, a brilliant run from Baker rid a threatening ball from Wallingford’s Hamilton in the penalty box. A pause in action followed as the opposition’s Bestley received treatment for a knock.

Goalless at the break, the next 45 was crucial in securing the points for both teams.

Half Time: Reading City 0-0 Wallingford and Crowmarsh

A double substitution at the break for Reading City, and both Ellis Cowd and Joe Pilling entered the fray in place of Lamine Sankoh and Declan Joyce.

It took a few moments for both teams to settle back into the game, with the occasional fight for possession in the midfield, with few clear-cut chances for either side.

A Wallingford throw-in taken near the corner flag headed centrally into the area. A curving effort cruised towards the top corner, but York punched the menacing ball away.

The deadlock was broken by none other than Josh Baines, who smashed the ball into the top of the net from distance after a lovely link-up with Hagger, giving City the lead. Wallingford’s Lynn was the first player to have his name put in the book following a foul challenge in the midfield.

Back-to-back corners for Wallingford were sent in towards the area from the left. The first was knocked off the pitch and out for the following at York’s near post, whilst the second rebounded around the box. Play was stopped as the City shot-stopper went to ground after a late challenge from Hercules, who was subsequently awarded a yellow for his foul.

Entering the final ten, Eddie Lazarczuk fired a powerful throw into our attacking half. A scramble for possession ensued, and a light header almost tapped the ball past the ‘keeper, but Wallingford’s Pratt claimed on his line and secured the ball.

A powerful bending shot from Hagger reached the six yard box, but Pratt punched the danger back upfield, with Wallingford working hard to clear it further up the pitch.

The opposition’s Aitchinson found the back of the net in the final minutes of the match, leveling the scoreline to one apiece.

Johnson turned to his bench for inspiration in an attempt to steal all the points. Lucas Wynn exited the field of play in exchange for Harlen Lewis.

City were later awarded a free kick at the edge of the final third for a handball by the opposition. The effort was drilled into the box, but dipped in flight and out of play for a Wallingford goal kick.

In the final moments of the match, a challenge on Valentin saw Wallingford’s Haye receive a yellow card, and City were handed a free kick. Hagger took, and the ball flew through a swarm of Wallingford defenders and out of play.

The whistle blew seconds after, signalling the end of an intense and hard-fought match, with both sides deserving of the point. 

Full Time: Reading City 1-1 Wallingford and Crowmarsh

A fast-paced game, with the scoreline the same as last time out against Wally, with Euan Aitchinson netting against City once again. A tough game, but ultimately one which both sides should be proud of. All the best to Wallingford and Crowmarsh for the rest of the season!

We go again in the new year as we hit the road to face Wokingham Town down at Lowther Road on the 4th of January.