Derby day was finally here, and the much-anticipated RGClásico was set to go ahead down at Lowther Road, as Simon Johnson’s side made the short trip to near-neighbours Wokingham Town.

Four changes were made to the lineup that started out at Bulpit Lane midweek, with Tristan Campbell, Riley Denny and Ousman Darboe making up the bench alongside Ben Holder and Mckoy Palmer, while Emil Mursalov just missed out. Jenson Mansel, Hamish Thomson, Joe Pilling and Stefan Brown all made their returns to the starting eleven, with the latter donning the armband once again.

Kick-Off: Wokingham Town 0-0 Reading City

The action began almost immediately, and the visitors earned the first chance of the game. A quick effort from City narrowly skimmed the bar, and a slide in the buildup by Dan Davies saw the midfielder require treatment. He sadly couldn’t continue, and Johnson and his management team had to configure their team early on, as an enforced change saw Riley Denny replace Davies; we wish him the best in his recovery.

Skipper Brown unleashed a half-volleyed effort from about twenty yards out in an attempt to sneak it past the goalkeeper, but shot-stopper Jake Simpson kneeled to claim the shot.

Back-to-back set pieces just missed Mo Ceesay, Pilling and Brown in the box, with a direct free kick darted out for a corner, but the chance sadly amounted to nothing.

With twenty five gone, a somewhat controversial tackle saw tensions rise and shouts ring around the ground, and manager Simon Johnson received a yellow on the touchline.

Defender Jay Herbert lofted a tidy ball into the area, and Ceesay latched on to it, heading towards Brown. A round of head tennis limited the ball in flight, and was subsequently picked up by Simpson

With all still to play for, a dangerous corner unleashed by the home team was defended well by Ellis Cowd, with the second ball cleared by Ceesay. City began a counter attack, weaving through the midfield, but were stopped just inside the defensive half.

A final shot of the half fell to early-substitute Riley Denny, who attempted to poke home a near ball at the back post, but the Wokingham Town goalkeeper went to ground to block his chance, and the referee blew his whistle to signify the end of a tight 45.

Half Time: Wokingham Town 0-0 Reading City

City began on the front foot and almost immediately scored the opener, as a dangerous ball switched into the box was narrowly knocked over the top with a bit too much power and behind by Cowd.

Pilling played a sublime ball to Ceesay, who attempted to sneak a ball past, but his strike was deflected, but only as far as the edge or the box. City earned a free kick from the second ball, and an inswinging effort from Ceesay was stopped down the middle.

Play was paused shortly after as Cowd was seen to by the physio, and he was deemed unable to continue, with Tristan Campbell entering in his place – we wish him a speedy recovery.

A tactical switch in personnel also followed, with Ben Holder and Ousman Darboe replacing Jenson Mansel and Riley Denny

Once again the architect, a great run from Herbert played in the City frontline of Ceesay, Brown and Pilling, alongside defender Hamish Thomson, and a close effort was agonisingly dragged wide.

Fifteen to go, and the deadlock was broken! A foul on Ceesay in the area saw the referee award a spot kick, and Stefan Brown stepped up to the spot and slotted home a clean ball with composure to put us ahead.

A free kick for the hosts whistled wide of the post, with Thomson supporting to ensure it rolled out of play. A counter attack saw Brown lay off a ball to Joel Valentin, and Ceesay netted a strike, but he was adjudged to have been offside in the buildup, and the goal was unfortunately ruled out.

Charlie York between-the-sticks was called into action yet again, preventing a menacing strike from crossing the line with a sublime save at his right post.

Just as the half began to draw to a close, a set piece for Wokingham darted just behind, hitting the back of the net. Defender Oli Bourne made a brilliant block at the edge of the area, and Thomson and Herbert linked up to get the ball back downfield. As a result of this, Darboe played a one-two with Herbert, before unleashing a shot from outside the eighteen-yard-box, but his effort flew just out of play and over the crossbar in its final seconds in flight.

In a moment of heartbreak for Johnson’s side, with less than a minute to go, Sam Lynskey found the equaliser after a scramble in the box following a corner. The referee soon called time on the end-to-end derby, and City left feeling as if they had dropped two points rather than gaining one.

Full Time: Wokingham Town 1-1 Reading City

A tough fought game saw a last-minute winner share the spoils at Lowther Road. A performance for both sides to be proud of, with positive individual spells for many. We would like to wish Wokingham Town all the best for the rest of the season!

Thank you, once again, to all supporters who made the trip! We go again in less than a week as Johnson’s side meet with Baffins Milton Rovers, as part of the First Round of the FA Vase, in RG30.