READING FC UNDER 21s crashed out of the Berks & Bucks Cup in the semi-finals after a penalty shootout defeat to Marlow.
Striker Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, who scored a goal for the Royals’ senior side earlier in the campaign in the EFL Cup, got the under 21s off to the perfect start when he opened the scoring after just four minutes.
After being played through on goal, Ehibhatiomhan was taken out by the Marlow goalkeeper and Reading were awarded a spot kick that was dispatched by the forward who took responsibility after being fouled.
The hosts went in search of a goal to try and level the tie and they were eventually rewarded just after half an hour when Simmo latched onto the rebound of Rogalski’s shot that cannoned off the post and put Marlow back on terms.
10 minutes after the restart, the game took a turn when both sides were reduced to 10 players.
After a scuffle ensued, Matty Carson for Reading and Soares for Marlow were both given their marching orders.
With 15 minutes left to play, Ehibhatiomhan put the Royals on the brink of the final when he netted his second goal of the game.
But with time running out, Marlow grabbed a dramatic leveller in the final minute of the match when Ovenden profited from a scramble in the box and scored.
The match was to be decided from the penalty spot and it was Marlow who held their nerve to progress.
Louie Holzman missed with Reading’s first spot kick, but hope was not lost when Marlow failed to score their second penalty.
Ehibhatiomhan, Adrian Akande and Nahum Melvin-Lambert converted to take the shootout to sudden death, but Jack Senga missed before Marlow took advantage to score their crucial spot kick and progressed.
Reading: Boyce-Clarke, Abrefa, Holzman, Abbey, Carson, Green, Senga, Akande, Scott, Okine-Peters, Ehibhatiomhan
Goals: Ehibhatiomhan 4’ (pen), 74’, Simmo 32’, Ovenden 90’
