Cambridge United became undone in their first Sky Bet League One outing of 2025 as Reading secured a 1-3 victory at the Cledara Abbey Stadium…
Despite an encouraging and front-footed first half, the U’s were made to fight back when Harvey Knibbs’ close-range effort broke deadlock. They did just that moments after the break when Elias Kachunga converted, but the Royals raced to three points with Knibbs grabbing his brace and fellow former U Sam Smith sealing it late on.
In response to the defeat at Leyton Orient three days earlier, Garry Monk named the solitary change to his XI as James Brophy replaced the injured Sullay Kaikai. Elsewhere, Dan Barton was included in the matchday squad following a brief lay-off.
An energetic, high-pressing start saw the U’s conjure up the first opportunity within the opening seconds when Josh Stokes wriggled into the box after being played in Korey Smith. The attacker got his shot away but was well denied by an onrushing Joel Pereira, who made himself big to claim.
Continuing in the ascendency, the men in amber continued to accumulate the attempts at goal early on with the ball falling to Jordan Cousins from outside the area, who had the time to touch and pull the trigger, before midfield partner Smith tested the keeper with a curler from a similar angle.
The hosts had turned defence into attack quickly in a pleasing, front-footed introduction, with the only attempt at the other end coming from Charlie Savage on the 7th minute – whose speculative shot from distance was high and wide.
Five minutes later, a penalty shout was ruled out by referee Jacob Miles, with Stokes – initially in a really good position in the six-yard box – was pinned down.
A smart quick free-kick from captain Michael Morrison on 21 was latched onto by Dan Nlundulu deep down the right, who took his time to cut inside and test his luck from 20 yards, which forced a strong catch from Pereira.
The Reading number one was tested once again in the next U’s break, with Stokes and Kachunga playing a one-two down the wing – the ball fell back to the former whose long-range shot was stopped low to the Portuguese’s left.
Overall, it had been all United throughout – who had enjoyed the majority of possession and asked questions with their deliveries into the box. The only thing missing was the opener.
Five minutes before the break, Monk’s side were made to pay as the Royals grabbed the opener. An intended strike from Louie Holzman caused a scramble in the box, with former U Knibbs tapping home.
In response, Cambridge went up the other end and went agonisingly close to a rapid leveller when Stokes touched the ball down from height and shot, which bounced awkwardly and grazed the post.
Straight from the get-go after the break, Stokes picked out Nlundulu on the right, whose venomous shot took a heavy deflection which looped and bounced on top of the crossbar.
The resulting corner produced the equaliser, which was no less than the U’s deserved. Danny Andrew’s sweet cross was flicked on by the head of Cousins and on a plate for Kachunga, who poked home at the back post for his fourth goal in six league games.
Just as they’d reclaimed momentum, Reading handed another sucker punch on the 51st minute when pinball in the penalty area saw Savage drill into the danger area where Knibbs was on hand to fire into the net.
Although their response was a fine one, the hosts were rueing that final killer touch to force the ball home, with a plethora of balls going into the box but none were able to test Pereira going into the hour mark.
With 67 minutes on the clock, Lewis Wing was handed a free-kick from just under 30 yards, with the long-range specialist hitting it over the wall and finding a good angle, but Jack Stevens was alert and dived to his right to paw away.
Ryan Loft and Barton joined the fray in the latter stages, but the encounter was put to bed on 82 when S. Smith got on the end of a long ball and hit an exquisite half-volley over Stevens from outside of the box to consign the hosts to a fourth consecutive defeat in the third tier.
Up next, it’s a quick turnaround at CB5 as Bristol Rovers make the journey this Saturday (4th January) – be sure to back the boys.
Cambridge United: Stevens, Okedina, Morrison, Andrew, Bennett, Cousins, Smith (Barton, 78’), Brophy (Richards, 85’), Stokes, Kachunga (Loft, 72’), Nlundulu
Subs Not Used: Reyes, Watts, Ibsen Rossi, Njoku
Goalscorers: Kachunga (47’)
Bookings: Brophy
Reading: Pereira, Bindon, Dean, Holzman (Abrefa, 82’), Garcia, Savage (Rushesha, 87’), Wing, Knibbs, Campbell, Camara (Kanu, 59’), Smith (Wareham, 86’)
Subs Not Used: Button, Sackey, Osho
Goalscorers: Knibbs (39’, 51’), Smith (82’)
Bookings: Holzman, Wing
Referee: Jacob Miles
Attendance: 6878 (1025 away fans)