Reading FC under 21s fell at semi-final stages in the Premier League 2 play-offs with an extra-time defeat to Graeme Murty’s Sunderland.
Having scored in the 99th minute to take the game to extra-time, Sunderland struck in the final minute of extra-time to book their place in the final.
Noel Hunt made three changes from the side that won the Berks & Bucks Cup last Wednesday as Coniah Boyce-Clarke was restored in goal, Matty Carson came in at left-back and Jayden Wareham started up top.
After a quiet opening 10 minutes, it was the Black Cats who drew first blood as their captain Ellis Taylor seized his chance.
He was afforded space to cut in from the right wing and hit a curling beauty into the top left hand corner which left Boyce-Clarke helpless.
A swift attack from the visitors saw Caden Kelly have a strike at goal that was bravely blocked behind by the head of Michael Stickland.
Sunderland created another chance to double their lead but were denied by Boyce-Clarke who rushed out to make an excellent stop from Timur Tutierov before Stickland got his body in the way of Trey Ogunsuyi’s follow up.
The Royals took their time to find their feet as John Ryan’s whipped cross was collected by goalkeeper Adam Richardson with Warheam lurking at the back post.
Wareham levelled up in the 24th minute when Stickland headed down MAtty Carson’s free-kick delivery and the forward was on hand to stretch and apply the finish at the back post from close range.
Boyce-Clarke was required to make another vital stop on the half hour mark, saving from a powered down header before his defence eventually scrambled the ball to safety.
Sunderland restored their lead in the 33rd minute as Taylor crashed a shot into the top corner to once again leave Boyce-Clarke with no chance.
Hunt was forced into a switch before half-time as Jack Senga-Ngoyi replaced the injured Charlie Wellens.
Sunderland started quickly in the second-half in search of a third when Stickman turned a drilled cross behind for a corner.
Reading search for a leveller came close when John Clarke’s header from a corner was cleared off the line.
Another Carson set-piece delivery caused danger as Louie Holzman met with a header which brushed the side netting.
Hunt made his second switch just after the hour which saw Basil Tuma replace Jeremiah Okine-Peters.
After a spell of pressure, Reading were rewarded as they struck twice in quick succession.
Adrian Akande levelled the game Adrian Akande kept his footing in the box, got past the keeper and tapped into an empty net.
Carson then came up with a perfectly placed free-kick which he expertly dispatched into the corner just moments after the equaliser.
But Reading’s celebrations were cut shprt in the ninth minute of added time as Taylor completed his hat-trick to take the game to extra-time.
The Royals were reduced to 10 men in extra-time as Jacob Borgnis was sent off after picking up a second booking.
There was more late hearbreak for the Royals as Ogunsuyi popped up with a goal in the final minute of the game to book Sunderland’s place in the final.
Reading: Boyce-Clarke, Ryan, Carson, Borgnis, Stickland, Holzman, Akande, Wellens, Wareham, Okine-Peters, Clarke
Subs: Collins, Paul, Senga, Sackey, Tuma
Sunderland: Richardson, Taylor, Bell, Fieldson, Bainbridge, Middlemas, H Jones, Tutierov, Kelly, Watson, Ogunsuyi
Subs: Chibueze, Lavery, Ryder, J Jones, Chung
Goals: Taylor 11’, 33’, 90+9′, Wareham 24’, Akande 75’, Carson 77’, Ogunsuyi 120′
