In the spring sunshine of RG2, the game got underway with both sides looking to get on the front foot early in the game.
The home side started brightly, with Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan testing the waters against former Academy product Gabe Osho. Jeriel Dorsett came close first, launching a header that hit the post during a corner’s chaotic aftermath, though it would not have counted due to an offside flag. Leam Richardson’s side appeared to enjoy the early momentum, with Daniel Kyerewaa particularly influential down the right flank as they applied pressure on their visitors.
In the 15th minute, Cardiff created a dangerous opportunity from a free kick just outside the area. Unfortunately for the visitors, the set piece yielded no threats as goalkeeper Joel Pereira comfortably dealt with it. The Royals continued pressing, as Dorsett was again near the net, spinning onto his left foot but failing to get his shot on target after a well-constructed move into the box.
Kyerewaa demonstrated his attacking potential with a dynamic run, attempting a left-footed shot that narrowly grazed the outside of Nathan Trott’s post. Cardiff’s first in play chance came in the 25th minute from Ollie Tanner, whose effort was saved by Pereira, with El Gato and Andy Rinomhota later clearing away Chris Willock’s shot at the second attempt.
Pressure mounted and the visitors opened the scoring five minutes before halftime, courtesy of captain Rubin Colwill. Ryan Wintle found space on the right to deliver a cross, and Colwill rose above the home defence to head it past Pereira straight into the far corner. Just moments before the interval, Reading’s Paddy Lane nearly levelled the match with a powerful left-footed effort that was deflected by Osho, forcing a near-miss over the bar as the whistle blew with Cardiff in front.
HALF TIME – Reading 0 – 1 Cardiff City
The second half brought a cruel twist for the Royals just ten minutes in when Cardiff doubled their lead. A miscue from Lane deflected into a Bluebirds defender’s path, leading to Omari Kellyman receiving the ball and advancing unchallenged before slotting it past Pereira.
On the hour mark, Reading could have reduced their deficit. Ehibhatiomhan nearly capitalised on a loose ball from a Lewis Wing corner, but Cardiff’s defence managed to deflect his close-range effort wide. Pereira then kept the Royals in the contest with a remarkable save from a half-volley by Wintle, which took a suspicious deflection on its way.
Reading finally found a glimpse of hope in the form of a goal with 17 minutes plus stoppage time remaining. A superb free-kick from Lewis Wing from thirty yards was parried by Trott directly into the path of Kyerewaa, who fired a powerful shot past the Bluebirds’ keeper to reignite hope for the home fans.
With renewed energy following their goal and the introduction of Jack Marriott, the atmosphere in the stadium lifted. It nearly turned into a fairy tale for the returning striker, who latched onto a long ball from Pereira but was thwarted by Trott, who smothered the ball as Marriott attempted a delicate chip.
However, the visitors put the game to bed in the 87th minute with a decisive third goal. Perry NG cut in from the right wing and dispatched a left-footed shot that curled past Pereira into the back of the net, sealing the win for Cardiff.
Ten minutes of added time was indicated at the end of the match, but the Bluebirds were able to hold on to take the spoils on the day.
FULL TIME – Reading 1 – 3 Cardiff City
FULL MATCH ATTENDANCE – 13,938 (2,935)
Reading: Pereira; O’Connor; Rinomhota (Fraser 88′); Wing; Burns; Nyambe (Abrefa 88′) ; Kyerewaa; Roberts (Ritchie 88′) ; Dorsett; Lane (Marriott 74′); Ehibhatiomhan.
Not Used: Norcott; Patton; Stickland
Cardiff City: Trott, Ng, Osho, Lawlor (Fish 82′), Bagan, Wintle, R. Colwill (Colwill 82′) (C), Robertson (Turnbull 67′), Tanner (Robinson 90′) , Willock (Salech 82′) , Kellyman.
Not Used: Turner; Scanlon.
Goals: R. Colwill (40′), Kellyman (55′), Kyerewaa (73′), Ng (86′)