Reserves at Reading - Match Report

Reading Reserves 5 Aldershot Town Reserves 1

Pontin's Holidays Combination Central Division

Shots Reserves started brightly but were comprehensively beaten by a very talented Reading outfit at Didcot Town's round. Aldershot lined-up with Dan Weait in goal, the same back four (Salmon, Winfield, Elphick and Milletti) that started against QPR Reserves, Sean Ridgeway and former Oxford trainee Liam Malone in centre midfield, Hassan Sulaiman on the left and trialist Darren Campbell (formerly with Tamworth and Reading) on the right. In attack Kirk Hudson was partnered with Watford trainee Kyle Matthews. Reading's side included rising star John Halls and Simon Cox who'd scored four in a 7-0 win against Woking the week before.

Reading threatened from the start down the left-wing, Jonathan Hayes electric pace causing problems for Salmon, an Elphick tackle and a close range save by Weait ending the forward's efforts. In the ninth minute Shots created an excellent move, Sulaiman crossing from the left and Ridgeway at the far post powered a header across goal which Young did well to save.

Whilst Reading looked dangerous on every attack the Shots were enjoying more attacking moves than in some recent Reserve matches, Kyle Matthews looked tricky whilst Darren Campbell worked well down the right. In the 27th minute sustained Aldershot pressure saw Campbell and Ridgeway's shots beaten out but with Young still rising Gary Elphick fired in the opening goal.

Elphick was performing heroically in defence, leading his line a making a number of imperious tackles and blocks, surely putting himself in the frame for a first team recall. Shots nearly doubled their lead when Hudson collected the ball deep inside Shots' half to dribble 50-yards before releasing Campbell down the left, as Shots attacked the back post Campbell's cross was too high and eluded all.

Reading equalised in the 35th minute. Simon Cox slipped past Liam Malone and struck a fierce drive from the edge of the area. Weait beat the ball out but Cox beat Winfield to the loose ball and buried the rebound. Further Reading pressure saw Weait make a reaction conceding the corner. From Ryan Crockford's corner Michael Dobson rose highest to head the ball home. Terry Brown's shout from the bench was 'there's loads of red shirts but no-one attacking it'.

Didcot's pitch was in excellent condition in the first half but shortly after the resumption rain started to hammer down. On 56 minutes Reading scored again, Conor Sinnott headed Long's cross in off the post. In the 63rd minute Hayes eluded Salmon and drilled a low shot in the Reading's fourth. Shots beleaguered defence was breached again four minutes later when Long's drive went in off a post.

With twenty minutes to go a neat passing move set Sean Ridgeway in space, his shot was well placed but saved by Young ' his first meaningful action of the half. Second half substitutes were Wingate & Finchley trialist Anthony Limbrick who performed reasonably at left-back, former Farnborough player Nicholas Theophanides who found it hard to make an impression in attack and youth-team forward Danny Hylton who battled gamely in right midfield.

A tough game for Shots against strong opponents, Shots' fullbacks had a torrid time particularly from Jonathan Hayes. After beating Reading 3-2 in the reverse fixture this was a disappointing result in the final 'derby' game - Reading's Reserves will compete in the FA Premier Reserve League next season. Gary Elphick was Shots best performer, Sean Ridgeway gave a strong showing, as did Dave Winfield, and Kyle Matthews (pictured right) will be worth a further look.

Aldershot: Dan Weait, Will Salmon (Danny Hylton 69), Jason Milletti (Anthony Limbrick 53), Dave Winfield, Gary Elphick, Hassan Sulaiman, Liam Malone, Sean Ridgeway, Darren Campbell (Nicholas Theophanides 58), Kirk Hudson, Kyle Matthews. Unused subs Rob Symes and Greg Farrell.

Reading: Jamie Young, John Halls, Scott Golbourne, Michael Dobson, Alex Pearce, Adam Bygrave, Ryan Crockford, Conor Sinnott (Jem Karacan 61), Shane Long, Simon Cox, Jonathan Hayes. Unused subs Gylfi Sigurdsson, Simon Church, Pierre Joseph-Dubois, Scott Rendell.

Report: Martin Gooday
Photos: Ian Morsman
Shots defend in depth
Sean Ridgeway's header is saved
Kirk Hudson
Gary Elphick celebrates with Sean Ridgeway
Liam Malone and Dave Winfield try to stop Reading's attack
Kyle Matthews
Darren Campbell