Our City Youngsters came into this game full of excitement, having won earlier in the week in the Allied Counties Youth Football League Subsidiary Cup on the road to North Leigh they were looking to end the week on a high with another win against local rivals Wokingham Town.

Having already beaten the young Suma’s 0-3 on the road back in February, Johno’s side had every reason to be confident that they’d do the double over our local rivals as we looked to close in on the top spot.

On a lovely spring evening a fairly decent sized crowd had amassed at the Rivermoor to cheer on our youngsters. Before a ball was kicked however City had an all-important photoshoot as we unveiled our brand new away kit ahead of next season, which was kindly and generously provided by Under 18s Sponsor, Risby Air Conditioning Co Ltd who we thank for their ongoing support.

Following Monday night’s win on the road to North Leigh we were unfortunately without our topgoalscorer Lucas Taplin along with Rhys Baker and Charlie Johnson after the trio unfortunately picked up injuries. We wish them all a speedy & full recovery and hope to see them back out on the pitch soon.

City started the game brightly and with just two minutes on the clock, opened the scoring. Following some good work from Adam Goodwin to press the keeper, Joe Corker scored from the edge of the area, the shot had real finesse as initially it looked like it was going over but it sailed nicely under the crossbar giving the keeper no chance.

City continued to dominate proceedings and with thirteen minutes on the clock we were awarded a free kick after Harlen Lewis was fouled. Archie Simpson whipped in a great free kick but sadly comes to nothing.

With quarter of an hour played, we witnessed some great football from Louis Eade as he danced his way goalwards with some intricate footwork, unfortunately however the Suma’s defence comfortably dealt with any possible attack as there was no one in support.

Wokingham Town gave us a scare with seventeen minutes on the clock as  a powerful shot from range cruised towards goal, thankfully however it didn’t trouble Leo Wilkinson as it was just wide.

As the half hour mark approached there was a pause in play as Leo Wilkinson received treatment following a knock.

On the half hour mark the game got underway and Leo the Lion carried on.

With half-time approaching Louis Eade was once again causing problems for our visitor’s defence and was rewarded with a goal to make it 2-0.

After a couple of minutes of added time following the earlier stoppage, the referee called time on the first half proceedings and city went in two goals to the good.

HALF TIME: Reading City U18s 2 v Wokingham & Emmbrook U18s 0

Johno made one change to personnel at half-time with Archie Friday replacing Charlie Mills.

City started the second half in the same fashion as the first and with fifty four minutes gone, found the back of the net for the third time this evening with Joe Corker earning himself a brace.

With the hour mark approaching, Adam Goodwin was replaced with Frankie Fulbrook who made his league debut from the bench.

With sixty five minutes on the clock, Archie Simpson was replaced by Charlie Gmiterek who was temporarily assigned the number 11 shirt in Taplin’s absence.

With sixty eight minutes on the clock, Keigan Allen was brought on for the final twenty in place of Harlen Lewis.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, Joe Corker bagged himself a hat-trick with yet another great goal from the edge of the area.

In the final minutes of the game, Keigan Allen also found himself on the scoresheet to make it five.

The referee called time on proceedings here at the Rivermoor and City could celebrate not just doing the double over our local rivals in the RGClásico this season but also going top of the league with just two games left to play.

FULL TIME: Reading City U18s 5 v Wokingham & Emmbrook U18s 0

Johno’s youngsters now take a break from league action as they return to their cup campaign in which they face Yateley United on Wednesday 2nd April at Sean Devereux Park in the Allied Counties Youth Football League Subsidiary Cup.

We’ll have more information on that game in the coming days, so keep an eye out for our match preview and thank you for your continued support.