A final away trip of the season for Simon Johnson’s Cityzens under the baking hot saturday sun with our Cityzens trying to find their feet again after back to back midweek defeats. Reading City were looking to get their first away win in the league since November 9th at Vale Park beating Wembley 2-1. 

Simon Johnson opted for just the two changes from midweek against Milton United with Lamin Sankoh and Joel Valentin coming in for Lucas Wynn and Joe Pilling with the former dropping to the bench. 

Kick off : Harefield United 0-0 Reading City 

Harefield were off to the stronger start putting early pressure onto the City back line and forcing City deeper into their defensive third. The early pressure would bring the opening goal with Harefield’s number 11 Will Bailey getting on the end of a delicate through ball and flicking the ball pat Charlie York in the City goal. After the goal City would begin to find the footing getting touches and moving the ball, growing in confidence as Cty worked there first opportunity making an opening or Ellis Cowd who would fire agonisingly close to the top corner. This chance woke Harefield up as Harefield got back on top having a stranglehold on the ball. This pressure would inevitably lead to a Harefield second after a string of corners CIty were unfortunate as Liam Baker inadvertently turned the ball into the net leaving York rooted unable to react from a deep Lewis Cole corner. 

After the initial shock of Harefield’s electric start Cityzens did well to limit the hosts to half chances and shots from distance which were unable to test York in the city goal. The half would filter out with City struggling to work any real opportunities against a well trained and oiled machine of the Harefield defence

Half time : Harefield 0-0 Reading CIty 

Back underway in the second half with both times feeling the effect of being in the hot sun with the football being played clearly being affected as both teams struggled to get a foothold and take control with either team testing eachother out trying to make a breakthrough. 

Simon was the first manager to dip into his substitutes, bringing on Harvey Collins for Eddie Lazarczuk before shortly after pulling Lamin Sankoh for the fresh legs of Declan Joyce. The Hares would make subs of their own, bringing on Jake Sobalak for Liam Miller. 

In a half of few chances it was Charlie York who would pull out the spectacular making a wonderful one on one save, fully extending himself to deny Gareth Chendlik after he was played through on goal by the Hares number 8 Jack Hutchinson. As the clock wound down to the final moments there was enough time for another Hares corner which would be swung in again by Lewis Cole to meet the head of Harry Tamplin rising above the City defenders to head home to celebrate a goal on his 50th appearance for the Hare’s. Harefield would make their final two substitutions replacing striker Gareth Chendli and defender Alfie Tucker for Naz Miah and Leny Farhall respectively. There would however be time for one more goal as Josh Baines pulled one back for the Cityzens firing past Tom Clark in the Hare’s net. This however would prove to be nothing more than a consolation goal for the Cityzens as the referee would bring the game to a close with the hosts being victorious and getting another huge three points towards their playoff push.

Full time : Harefield United 3-1 Reading CIty

A hard fought battle under the sun this Saturday leaves CIty coming back from their travels empty handed once more, with Harefield’s quick start being the difference between the two sides as City were never truly ever able to recover from the opening minutes onslaught. We would like to wish Harefield United and everyone associated with the club a massive thank you for their hospitality as well as a huge thank you to every Cityzen fan that followed us on our travels this season.

Johnson’s side will now look ahead to  hosting Bedfont Sports this Tuesday evening, with the Cityzens looking to do the double over the Eagles. We look forward to seeing you there.