A cold windy Tuesday night under the lights on home turf saw the Cityzens look to open April with a positive result after three wins from six from March. Ahead of the game Simon Johnson opted to make four changes from the side’s 3-1 defeat to local rivals Wokingham Town in the RGClasico at Lowther Road. These changes meant that Josh Baines, Lamin Sankoh, Alfie Grant and Ben Holder made way for Pele Hagger, Ellis Cowd, Jay Herbert and Harvey Collins coming into the side. 

KICK OFF: Reading City 0-0 Milton United 

The first half began with both teams getting a feel for each other with a series of long balls to test each other’s defences early on with Reading City being the first to put the ball into the box and work the keeper leading to Timmy Mungall in the Milford goal colliding with one of our own. City were unlucky not to find a breakthrough when a free kick from the right hand side was swung in leading to City hitting the bar before Milton managed to bundle the ball clear.  A rare chance for Milton United led to a Harry Thomas header that should have worked Dan York harder.

A first half scarce of chances in front of goal with City working the ball up with Charlie York being allowed to go long, with Milton being happy to drop off the Cityzens when the ball was in our defensive third. With the half coming to a close a special mention has to go to Nathanael Boayke for his positive ball progression through the middle of the park for the Cityzens and to right back Jay Herbert for his defensive work in the first half not allowing Milton 11 Adam Smith any joy or freedom, however the referee would blow for half time with the game still goalless. 

HALF TIME: Reading City 0-0 Milton United 

Back underway in the second half, with Milton being the first to conjure up any effort at goal getting on top for period pushing Reading CIty back leading to a Cam MIlls cross being headed back across by Noah Parsons hitting the bar before bouncing clear. 

The frustration grew for Milton United with Harry Thomas managing to talk himself into a sin bin early on in the second half, however the Cityzens would be unable to gain any advantage despite pressure form a number of deep crosses that were defended valiantly by Milton restricting City to half chances and slices towards goal.  

Reading City would make the first change of the night taking Harvey Collins off an hour in with Joel Valentin being the man tasked with helping push the Cityzens into a breakthrough. However it would be Milton United who would break the deadlock through Ollie Nadin blasting the ball past Dan york after getting on the end of a Harry Thomas flick on, having an instant impact on his return to the field. 

The Cityzens would pile the pressure on Milton with more deep crosses and a number of corners deep into the Milton box. This pressure would see Seth Humphries see red after receiving his second yellow of the night due to a mistimed challenge. After the red Simon would make three changes to add fresh legs and fresh ideas to the pitch in search for an equaliser with Lamin Sankoh, Declan Joyce and Ikon Ward coming on for Jay Herbert, Luke Donville and Joe Pilling before a fourth change with just minutes to go was made with the decision to take Liam Baker off for Josh Baines. Despite pressure late on Reading City were unfortunate to not find an equaliser with the referee blowing his whistle signalling full time here in RG30.

FULL TIME: Reading City 0-1 Milton United 

A tough fought evening here in RG30 for our first team, with the 68th minute strike from Ollie Nadin being the only way to separate the two sides. This win tonight would mean that Milton United will be celebrating their fifth win on the spin. We wish last night’s visitors, Milton United , all the best for the rest of the season! Thank you to our supporters for coming down this evening and backing the team. 

Johnson’s side will now have three days of rest before we will be on our travels to face a playoff chasing Harefield Town at Preston Park as we look to avenge a 2-3 defeat last month.