Last night Simon Johnson’s Cityzens made the short journey over to our local rivals Wokingham Town to contest the RGClásico at Lowther Road.

Derby Night’s are typically memorable, but last night’s was especially interesting as prior to kick off First Team Manager, Simon Johnson turned line-painter ahead of kick-off.

City almost fell foul of the curse of the former player as former Cityzen, Connor Richardson had the first chance of the game for the Suma’s but his shot was over and away from danger.

In a closely fought battle, there wasn’t much to report on in the first half with both sides unable to break the deadlock with all play in the middle of the park, with the hosts looking dangerous.

With 34 minutes played. Joao Jardim broke the deadlock for the Suma’s to take the lead in the RGClásico.

City fought back however and with 45 minutes on the clock were awarded a penalty, which Natty Boakye calmly slotted past Emilio Fantocchio.

On the cusp half-time, the Suma’s once again found themselves as former Cityzen Connor Richardson got the better of Charlie York.

After a flurry of goals, the referee called time on the first half of the RGClásico and it was the Suma’s who led at the break.

HALF TIME: Wokingham Town 2 v Reading City 1 

With proceedings back underway. City went looking for a way back into the game and as things heated up on the pitch, Luke Donville became the first name to enter the referee’s book having been cautioned.

With an hour played, Johnson called upon his bench, making his first substitution with Lamin Sankoh being replaced with Pele Hagger and Josh Baines being replaced with Harvey Collins. .

With seventy eight minutes on the clock, the Suma’s replaced Dontae Hamblin with Alfie Young.

With just the one goal between the two sides, Simon Johnson once again called upon his bench with just ten minutes of regular time remaining as he looked to get something out of the game with Bobbi Emery replaced Ben Holder in midfield.

With eighty two minutes on the clock, Thomas Jordan was replaced by Alfie Johnson for the Sumas.

City decided to make another change to personnel with five minutes of regular time remaining with Liam Baker replaced by Archie Denton.

With eighty nine minutes on the clock, Wokingham swapped Ornildo Shehu for Jaden Odama.

Odama made an instant impact for the Suma’s with a powerful shot that luckily smashed off the bar.

In the fourth minute of added time. The Suma’s launched one final attack as former Cityzen Conor Richardson bursting through. The initial shot was blocked but Jaden Odama was able to convert to make it 3-1.

The referee then called time on proceedings and it was unfortunately a rare Derby Night defeat against our local rivals Wokingham Town. One which they would celebrate having last beaten the Cityzens in an RGClásico on the 20th November 2021.

City however can breathe a sigh of relief as they are mathematically safe from relegation.

FULL TIME: Wokingham Town 3 v Reading City 1