A young Reading FC side impressed again as they broke a run in the league of 15 games without a win by defeating Cheltenham Town.
The only goal of the game was scored after Reading profited from Caylan Vickers’ driving run which ended with the ball looping up off a Cheltenham defender and over the head of Luke Southwood.
Ruben Selles made some bold selection calls which saw the youth given their chance to impress once again after their dazzling away display at Millwall in the EFL Cup last week.
There were seven changes from the defeat at Port Vale which included a starting role for centre back Nelson Abbey, who was named as captain in the absence of Andy Yiadom.
David Button 6.5: Rarely tested as the Royals defence kept it tight at the back to protect their goalkeeper. Clean sheet.
Amadou Mbengue 7: Used his pace to good effect on a number of occasions at both ends of the pitch. Sometimes wayward with his passing and crossing.
Nelson Abbey 9 (Man of the match): A sumptuous display from the captain on the night who played like a player far beyond his years. Composed in possession and strong at the back.
Tyler Bindon 8: Had a shaky start when his back pass almost resulted in a calamitous own goal, but recovered brilliantly. Put in some excellently timed tackles.
Matty Carson 7.5: An impressive display from the full-back who helped Knibbs in attack on the left and stood strong in defence.
Lewis Wing 7: The most senior outfielder of the starting eleven. Stung the gloves of Southwood with a sweetly struck low drive in the first-half.
Charlie Savage 7.5: Tidy in possession to keep things ticking over in midfield. Did a good job to protect the back four to work in tandem with Wing.
Mamadi Camara 7: Some nice moments of link up play with Vickers and Ehibhatiomhan. Tried hard to create for the forwards.
Harvey Knibbs 6.5: Made some surging runs into the box, just had a few moments where the run of the ball didn’t go for him in the final third.
Caylan Vickers 8: Looks to be a young star in the making. Always looked to get forward and create on the ball and was rewarded as his driving run ended with the ball looping up over Southwood into the net.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan 7: Worked hard to press up top and used his frame to battle with the defenders. Set up Vickers for a chance at the end of the first-half that should have ended with a second goal.
SUBS
Femi Azeez 5: Part of a triple change and took the place on Knibbs
Andy Yiadom 5: Replaced Mbengue for the final 30 mins at right-back
Tom McIntyre 5: Came on at left-back to replace Carson for the final 30 mins.
Sam Hutchinson: n/a
Basil Tuma: n/a
