U18 Report: Reading 1-3 Saints

Paul Hardyman’s side continued their excellent recent form, as they picked up another three points, thanks to goals from Taymar Fleary, Sean Brennan and Enzo Robise.

They got off to the perfect start, with Fleary putting them ahead within the opening two minutes.

A strong start led to a corner, which Allan Tchaptchet headed onto the post, with Fleary on hand to coolly slot home the rebound from 12 yards.

The hosts then came back into the game and won a penalty when Thierry Nevers was brought down by Oludare Olufunwa, but Jack Bycroft made a brilliant save from the spot kick, diving to his right and tipping the ball over the bar.

Reading did draw level after 36 minutes, though, as a switch in play found Nevers in space on the edge of the box and he curled a shot into the top corner.

The second half saw Saints largely on top, although Bycroft still had to make a good double save to keep the scores level.

The game was still finely balanced as it entered the final 15 minutes, but it was Saints who then tipped it in their favour.

Benni Smales-Braithwaite found Will Ferry before sprinting past him and receiving the return pass, unselfishly squaring to Brennan to finish from six yards out.

From then on, the Royals never really threatened, and Saints finished things off in the 90th minute as Robise fired a low shot from the edge of the box past the keeper to make it 3-1.

Attention now turns to the Under-18 Premier League Cup for the youngsters, as they prepare to host Stoke City next weekend, at Staplewood Campus.