On an unseasonably cold March evening the Cityzens faced promotion chasing Harefield United in the second of five consecutive home games! Despite it being a cold Tuesday evening there was a good turnout around the ground.

Our visitors started the game brightly and were rewarded with an early goal. With just three minutes on the clock, a free kick caused a scramble on the goal-line and despite York getting down to keep the ball out, he parried it to Harefield’s Harry Tamplin who found the back of the net.

With ten minutes approaching, Harefield earnt their second of the evening. After a fast break down the left by Lucas Miller having beaten his man, he cut the ball back to Ben Ward-cochrane who fired it past Charlie York.

With quarter of an hour played, Harefield continue to cause problems and were awarded a free-kick down the left, only for York to pick off the low shot.

City’s first chance didn’t come until twenty-five minutes, when a long city throw caused issues in the visitors box. Harefield however were able to clear and broke into the middle of the field. Ben Holder stops the break and picks up a card for the challenge in the process.

With half-hour played City had another long throw and once again it caused a scramble in Harefield’s box. The ball was cleared and picked up by Ben Holder who had a go from 25 yards, only for his effort to go high and wide.

With half-time approaching the visitors extended their lead to 0-3 after a dangerous corner was delivered by Lewis Cole, it found the head of Charlie Malin who powered home a header.

The referee called time on the first forty-five and City would’ve their work cut out if they were to get anything from this game in the second half.

HALF TIME: Reading City 0 v Harefield United 3

It’s an old Cliche, but football is certainly a game of two halves.

Simon Johnson introduced Phil Veal in place of Eddie Lazarczuk at the break in the hope of getting something from the game.

With sixty minutes gone, our visitors made their first change as Gareth Chendlik replaced earlier goalscorer Ben Ward-cochrane.

With sixty three minutes gone, our visitors once again rung the changes as Jack Hutchinson & Alfie Tucker replaced Lucas Miller and Lewis Cole.

City narrowly missed their chance to get back into the game with sixty seven minutes on the clock as Eddie Lee put the ball wide inside the 6 yard box.

Ellis Cowd’s initial low ball in from the right found Lee in the box, but his split reaction effort went just wide of the post.

With seventy three minutes gone, Johnson rang the changes with Josh Baines, Harvey Collins, Joel Valentin & Lucas Taplin being replaced with Joe Pilling, Lamin Sankoh, Bobbi Emery and Lucas Wynn.

Harefield then called to their bench again with fifteen minutes remaining as Lenny Farhall replaced George Nicholas.

With seventy-seven minutes played, Lucas Wynn made an instant impact as he got us back into the game.

City then scored a second with eleven minutes of normal time remaining as Ellis Cowd powered home a header. The comeback was well and truly on!

City continued to battle in the hope of being able to rescue something from this game.

With six minutes remaining Harefield made their final substitution of the evening as Steven Green replaced Max Holland.

With ninety minutes played, the referee advised there was four minutes of additional time left to play.

With ninety two minutes on the clock, City were still battling and a free-kick on the half way line was delivered deep but Trent Carter-Rogers was able to collect the ball and took his time to return to his feet in the hope of securing all three points for the visitors.

The referee then called time on proceedings and Harefield secured their first ever win here in West Reading, but what a performance from City in the second half to valiantly fight back against a strong side who are fighting for promotion, who secure their third win on the bounce here this evening.

FULL TIME: Reading City 2 v Harefield United 3

We will see you all again on Saturday as we host Broadfields United in our third consecutive home game.