In a three-way title race, both our youngsters and Binfield knew that a win was the only thing on the agenda as in the event points were shared the title would of gone to Buckinghamshire outfit Penn & Tyler’s Green.

Johno has previously told our youngsters to treat every game as a cup final, and last night’s didn’t get much bigger.

In front of a season-record crowd here at the Rivermoor, our youngsters were keen to ensure that Binfield didn’t upset the party atmosphere.

The visitors caused pressure early on with a clear cut chance coming for the Moles in the sixth minute, but Sam Waller & Finley Meikle cleared at the edge of the area.

Binfield would again knock on the door, as with eight minutes on the clock. The Moles were awarded a free-kick. A well-delivered set piece from twenty yards fell into the box, but the chance was headed over and away from danger.

With twelve minutes on the clock. Binfield were awarded a goal kick. As the Moles went on the counter, Captain Jay Herbert dispossessed a midfielder to cross a through ball to Lucas Taplin. City subsequently earnt a throw-in in their attacking half. However Binfield reclaimed in the middle third and pressed forward.

With eighteen minutes on the clock, City were awarded a penalty and up stepped Lucas Taplin who made no mistake from twelve yards to open the scoring on a massive night for the club, whilst earning his twentieth goal of the season.

It wasn’t long until City would double their lead, unfortunately however the linesman flagged for offside with twenty minutes on the clock.

As we hit the half hour mark, Lucas Taplin chased a loose ball fed through by Louis Eade. Having sent a long range effort in from the right, it was cleared.

Goalkeeper Leo Wilkinson made a brilliant save with thirty two minutes on the clock, and switched the direction of play allowing City to press forward. Joe Corker saw his powerful strike flash across the face of the goal, before going out of play.

With thirty-three minutes on the clock, this time Corker was in. After a brilliant ball was played into the area, he was waiting at the near post to smash it into the net.

City were very much on top now and continued to pile on the pressure, forcing Binfield into a clearance. The visitors were able to reclaim, but their charge ended with an offside call.

City had another chance with seven minutes of the first forty-five remaining.  Lucas Taplin pushed the ball into the area for Adam Goodwin, but his chance went out of play at the back post.

With three minutes of the half remaining, Goodwin had another near chance with a powerful shot ricocheting out of the area.

On the stroke of half time, Will Norton unleashed a throw as we searched for a third. What followed was a brilliant team effort from Lucas Taplin, Louis Eade, Joe Corker and a final shot from the skipper, Jay Herbert which curled just wide from a distance, what a goal that would’ve been!

The referee called time on the first forty-five and City would go in at the break with one hand on the trophy.

HALF TIME: Reading City 2 v Binfield 0 

The teams returned to the pitch for what would be a big forty-five minutes.

City started the second half in the high-tempo that they’d ended the first in and it wasn’t long until they found their third with Archie Simpson slotting the ball into the top corner from six yards out, earning his first goal of the season with forty eight minutes played.

Joe Corker made a brilliant clearance with fifty-two minutes on the clock, Binfield were able to apply pressure in their attacking half and was assisted by Leo Wilkinson who sprinted off his line in support.

There was a scramble in the box following a City corner with fifty-three minutes played. A shot ricocheting off the post was enough for City to reclaim possession. A link-up between Aam Goodwin and Frankie Fulbrook, saw us reach the area but the shot didn’t result in a goal.

As we approached the hour mark, City came close to a fourth! Unfortunately a deflection sent the dangerous ball out for a corner and the resulting set piece whistled past the post after a Sam Waller header.

With three minutes to play until the hour, Johno decided it was time for some fresh legs and in a double substitution, Joe Corker and Frankie Fulbrook exited the pitch in place of Archie Friday and Charlie Mills.

Just after the hour mark, Binfield earnt themselves a free-kick just outside the area, which was swung towards goal but the strike was dragged just wide.

With sixty three minutes played, City decided to make a further change and Adam Goodwin was replaced with Reiss Baker.

As the clock hit the sixty sixth minute, we witnessed a fantastic effort from Louis Eade, who controlled the ball with his chest and attempted to volley a strike past the visitors keeper, but the chance was pushed away.

With twenty minutes remaining, Reiss Baker was played in by Taplin and despite a brilliant first touch, knocked the ball out of play for a  Binfield goal-kick.

With seventy three minutes on the clock, Johno would once again call upon his bench and replaced Louis Eade with Harlen Lewis.

With twelve minutes left on the clock, Lucas Taplin was replaced with Charlie Johnson as City continued to pile on the pressure.

With ten minutes remaining, Harlen Lewis chased a long-ball but couldn’t reach it before the visiting shot-stopper claimed it at the edge of the box.

In the eighty second minute, against the run of play Binfield very nearly pulled one back but Leo Wilkinson intent on keeping a cleansheet went to ground and claimed consecutive shots from inside the box.

As we entered the final minute of the game, Charlie Johnson delivered a beautifully-placed corner kick to play in Sam Waller outside the six yard box. Unfortunately however the strike unleashed flew over the bar.

The referee then called time on proceedings here at the Rivermoor, confirming our status as League Champions.

FULL TIME: Reading City 3 v Binfield 0 

The Celebrations however will have to be short-lived (for now at least) as Johno’s side are back in action on Thursday 15th May in the Champions Cup, which is where we will compete against other divisional winners to become the overall Allied Counties Youth Football League Champions.

We have been drawn away to  West Division Champions Camberley Town and it will be no easy feat as the Krooners are in sensational form.

We’ll have more information on that fixture soon, so please do keep an eye on our website and social media feeds for our official match preview.