Last Saturday, with the return of the gaffer, Simon Johnson’s side went head-to-head against sixth place side Virginia Water down at the Rivermoor in what could only be described as challenging conditions.

Ahead of the game, the City management implemented five changes, with Liam Baker, Joel Valentin, Alfie Grant, Joe Pilling and Charlie York all returning to the side. Defender Declan Joyce took a place on the bench for this fixture, alongside returning forwards Harlen Lewis and Lucas Wynn, Archie Denton and Reiss Baker.

Luke Donville, Phil Veal, Lamin Sankoh, Josh Baines, Sacario Waugh and Harvey Collins all retained their places in the starting XI, with Baines leading the squad out once again.

Kick-Off: Reading City 0-0 Virginia Water

The visitors earned the first chance of the game, as a long ball took a slight deflection, before being driven into the box from the left. Veal and Pilling made a lovely link-up play on the edge of the area to clear. Moments later, a menacing ball from Virginia Water found its way into the penalty box, but Donville charged forward to dispossess and knock it back upfield.

Continuing their high press, the Waters sent a powerful effort in from the left, but it just drifted over the crossbar, dipping in flight in its final moments.

A round of head tennis in the midfield stole possession for the home side, with Waugh claiming on the right wing. He switched to Baines, who crossed a fantastic ball towards Sankoh, but the midfielder narrowly missed his headed chance.

Baker darted a loose ball into City’s attacking half, but a touch from the opposition knocked it out for a throw-in in a crucial position. An interception from the visitors led to the start of a counter attack, but the City backline applied pressure, earning their first goal kick of the afternoon for their efforts.

A fantastic link-up between Pilling and Collins set up Baker, who laid off a great ball for Waugh out on the left. He charged into the final third, but the linesman raised his flag.

An excellent cross from Sankoh to Baker saw a key pass knocked towards Baines. The skipper was taken down at the edge of the area and City were awarded a free kick. An inviting curled effort whipped in towards the far post was palmed away by the visitors’ shot-stopper.

A close one for Virginia Water as the clock ticked over into the 40th minute, with a soaring effort skimming the heads of two players rooted in the box. York was called into a quick save, going to ground to end the attack, with assistance from the City defence.

A fantastic tackle from Baker pushed a vital ball into the path of Collins, who pressed forward, until a deflected shot rolled out for a throw for the home side.

An end-to-end first half soon came to an end, with only three added minutes before the referee called time on a competitive 45.

Half Time: Reading City 0-0 Virginia Water

Kicking off after the interval, and a headed clearance from the visitors saw City awarded their first corner of the game. The resulting set piece was curved in, flying over the box with slightly too much power, going wide and missing a City player.

A free kick in dangerous territory was aimed towards Waugh, who unleashed his shot in an attempt to slot it home, but a touch from Virginia Water tapped it out for a set play. Donville intercepted the ball, but ‘keeper Matt Jones sprinted to claim off his line.

Johnson rang in his first substitution of the game, exchanging Sacario Waugh for Lucas Wynn. An almost instant impact from the forward, as he evaded defenders to reach the box, but the visitors made a clearance at the edge of the area.

A strong ball from Virginia Water came close to breaking the deadlock. The visiting team drilled a shot towards goal, aimed towards the top right corner, which narrowly drifted wide, flying past the top corner of the crossbar in a moment of relief for the home side.

Shortly after, City searched to find some momentum, with Wynn having another near effort stopped by the ‘keeper. A long ball from Donville reached Baines in the midfield, who controlled the ball and volleyed towards Wynn, but Jones was there to claim slightly ahead of the forward.

A second swap for City as Reiss Baker entered the fray in place of Lamin Sankoh as we entered the final fifteen.

A series of back-to-back shots for City, with Reiss Baker, Wynn and Pilling all attempting to net the opener, with the latter’s shot whistling just inches wide.

York was called into action in the final five, with a crucial block followed up by a clearance from Valentin to keep the scoreline goalless.

Tensions began to spill somewhat in the final minutes of the match, with players and managers alike receiving yellow cards. Johnson had his name put into the book, alongside Veal, who was met with the sin bin for dissent. City were temporarily down to ten men with this short dismissal, and it was all to play for heading into stoppage time. 

A spectacular clearance from Grant saw a potentially game-changing effort cleared off the line! The City defender sprinted to the goalline as a dangerous fast ball was darted towards York’s left-hand post, flashing across the face of the goal as a result.

For the final action of the game, a near effort for the home team as Wynn drilled a ball towards goal. He attempted to poke his effort home, but the visitors made a headed clearance in the last seconds, and the whistle was blown to signal the end of a tough 90 minutes.

Full Time: Reading City 0-0 Virginia Water

A tough game overall, with both sides showing the desire for all three points. A good showing from each team, with near efforts not quite enough to secure the win. Thank you to everyone who came down to support the team, and we wish our visitors, Virginia Water, all the best for the rest of the season.

Johnson’s side now face three away matches on the trot, with the first only days away. We hope you can join us down at the Runnymede Stadium as our Cityzens are set to face second-place Egham Town this Saturday.