It’s widely known within football that some managers see league cups as a distraction from their primary focus on league performance. Not for our Under 18s however as Johno’s side are on course to win the Allied Counties Youth Football League Central Division and now have their sets sight on the double as they look to clinch the Subsidiary Cup.

Having opened their cup campaign with a 1-3 win away to Ash United on Thursday 13th March. Our youngsters returned to cup action tonight when they faced North Leigh. Having already dumped our Oxfordshire counterparts out of the FA Youth Cup and Allied Counties Youth Football League Cup this season. Johno and his youngsters had every reason to be optimistic ahead of kick-off.

Ahead of kick-off there was lots of excitement with the news that new signing Frankie Fulbrook would be making his full debut, being assigned the number 6 shirt. He featured for 90 minutes helping to secure a win on his debut for the Cityzens.

Our youngsters got off to a flying start with Adam Goodwin finding the first goal of the evening within the first fifteen minutes.

City unexpectedly had to call on their bench with twenty minutes on the clock following Reiss Baker taking a knock he was replaced with Lucas Taplin.

Goodwin’s early goal meant that City went in at the break a goal to the good.

HALF TIME: North Leigh 0 v Reading City 1 

City decided to change things up at half-time and replaced first half substitution Lucas Taplin with Archie Simpson. With our Under 18s in action again in 48 hours along with our First Team. Taplin’s early exit is clearly a tactical decision.

With the second half underway, City started brightly and with the hour approaching we were awarded a penalty. Adam Goodwin stepped up and calmly converted from 12 yards to earn his brace and put us two goals ahead.

With just two minutes of normal time remaining, Louis Eade notched the third goal of the evening to wrap-up a flawless display from our youngsters, with Leo Wilkinson also securing a clean sheet.

The referee called time on proceedings and City can celebrate their ninth consecutive game unbeaten in all competitions.

That’s also three wins against North Leigh this season who are partnered with locally based academy Procision. A great showcase for our player pathway here at Reading City Football Club.

FULL TIME: North Leigh 0 v Reading City 3

Johno’s youngsters are back in action on Wednesday evening as we welcome Wokingham Town to the Rivermoor in Allied Counties Youth Football League Central Division action. A win will put us top with two games left.

All support appreciated. You can read Wednesday nights preview here.