Mycampusplug
Reading FC Fans Overjoyed with GOOD NEWS: We Are Getting there
In an authoritative and commanding first half, Sam Smith and Lewis Wing both scored goals, and in the second half, the defense came to the fore to reject a resurgent Gas team.
Less than ten minutes passed before the first goal found its way into Jed Ward’s net, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Smith was jogging on the spot to tip the ball over the goal-line and into the net after Amadou Mbengue set up his signature long throw and Tyler Bindon assisted it into the six-yard box. It seems as though there would only be one winner after that.
Even though they didn’t create many opportunities, Reading maintained complete control and humiliated Rovers on their home ground. Harvey Knibbs received the ball in the area, lined up a shot that was deflected out for a corner, and the home crowd booed as Wing attempted to surprise the hosts with a rapid free kick.
After another ten minutes of deft play and Rovers shadow-chasing, Knibbs was dragged down on the edge of the box to signal the end of the half. Wing moved forward, taking in the sorry-looking wall of the Gas, and curled a strong effort past Ward, nestling in the net before the goalkeeper could try to block the goal-bound effort on his line.
Aside from the small group of traveling Royals fans who had witnessed a commanding and effective display from their team, there were yet more jeers echoing throughout the Mem as the two teams went off for their halftime orange portion.
Manager Matt Taylor must have given Bristol Rovers a hard lecture at halftime, for the hosts turned the game into a true tussle with the triple replacement, which featured Chris Martin, a former Royal.
Before kickoff, Anthony Evans’ long-range shot elicited the biggest ovation of the evening from the home crowd, despite the fact that Evans had not scored in six games.
Inside three minutes of the restart, Smith connected with Azeez’s cross to give Reading the lead, but Ward made a great stop. After a sustained period of Pirates control, Martin headed wide.
Scott Sinclair’s volley had a great chance to cut the lead in half, but Bindon stooped low to head the goal-bound attempt over the line. Wing and Azeez both had a couple attempts at trying their luck, but they were unable to duplicate their strong first-half performances.
With a significantly better goal differential, Reading pulls nine points clear of the drop zone after pulling off a crucial victory. The matches are getting closer to official survival, with just three matches remaining and nine points to be earned.
