Cambridge United were consigned to a comprehensive 3-0 Sky Bet League One defeat against in-form Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium…
Following a closely-fought first half, the U’s were on the receiving end of a devastating 15-minute spell from the hosts after the break, who cruised to victory courtesy of Mamadi Camara’s goal either side of a well-taken brace from Lewis Wing to consign United to a fifth league match without a win.
In reaction to the last-gasp FA Cup defeat to Wigan Athletic three days earlier, Garry Monk opted to name three changes to his XI as Michael Morrison, Korey Smith and Shayne Lavery were all chosen from the get-go. Elsewhere, 18-year-old Peter Holmes earned a place in the matchday squad for the first time in a league game.
An industrious and alert start to proceedings saw United spur an excellent opportunity within the opening minute. A loose pass in midfield was intercepted by Elias Kachunga, who drove into the danger zone and allowed both Jordan Cousins and James Brophy to fire attempts from outside of the area. Invitingly, the ball soon found its way to Korey Smith, who lashed a snapshot high and wide from about 12 yards.
The U’s had a lot fall to them on the edge of the box early doors as they continued to capitalise and pen in an extremely youthful defence. Liam Bennett was next to exploit space down the right on the 10th minute, where he picked out a speculative shot which was meat and drink for Joel Pereira.
Garnering six wins from their opening seven at the Madejski, the hosts started to find their feet from here by effectively building up play. First, Ben Elliott tested his luck from 25 yards, which was a simple stop for Vicente Reyes, before the Chilean was tested in the next counter as Wing played in Sam Smith, who raced into a tight angle and therefore couldn’t generate enough power.
Deadlock was very nearly broken on 13 when Chem Campbell jinked his way inside the box and picked out Jeriel Dorsett with a point-blank cross, but the full-back diverted his header off target from a matter of yards.
Enjoying the possession and clocking up the attempts, tricky winger Campbell forced a really good diving save for Reyes, who unleashed a fizzed curler which the goalkeeper was at full stretch to claim.
It was all about soaking up the pressure for the men in green now, who at the other end of the pitch were still lacking that movement to progress the ball.
On the half an hour mark, the Royals let a golden opportunity go begging when an inch-perfect, threaded pass from Elliott released former U Smith in a one-on-one position – but the deadly transition was denied a goal by an excellent Reyes stop, who stood strong to keep the hosts at bay.
The half petered out from here, although that perhaps suited Monk’s side. In the final moments, Dan Nlundulu connected well with Bennett’s cross – their most dangerous asset – but the ball took a deflection on its way out. After this, Lavery had a chance to roll his strike partner in behind, but got his angles wrong with the pass, which frustratingly for United could have resulted in the perfect conclusion to the first 45.
Ruben Selles’ team talk proved to be influential as Reading took the lead on the 48th minute. After failing to clear their lines, an unmarked Wing pounced by pulling the trigger from 20 yards out, which drilled into the bottom corner.
In response, United’s livewire Bennett cut in on his left and embarked on a run where he weaved past two men and picked his spot, but Pereira reacted with a stern stop.
Probing, another teasing delivery from Bennett on the 58th minute bounced across the face of goal and was on a plate for Lavery, who lunged but just couldn’t get a boot on it to direct it home.
A clinical counter-attack seconds later helped double Reading’s advantage. Advancing play rapidly, Campbell played it to Elliott, who in turn supplied Camara in acres of space down the left, who showed quick feet to skin his man and fire into the net.
On the 62nd minute, it was game over as Wing popped up with a first-time curler from long range which sensationally nestled into the top corner – the pick of the bunch and further damage inflicted for the U’s.
Hunting a consolation, a low cross from Bennett was scuffed at by Cousins, which as a result fell to substitute Brandon Njoku, who shot on the turn, but it was blocked and the danger was cleared.
Ten minutes from time, the U’s got men in the box and crafted a chance for Ryan Loft, who leaped well to meet a deflection but couldn’t grab the power on it as Pereira matched to preserve his clean sheet.
On 82, Amaru Kaunda was handed his league debut for the Club, but ultimately they couldn’t conjure any fluidity in the final third as they were soundly beaten in Berkshire.
Up next, Cambridge return to CB5 this Saturday (7th December) as Gareth Ainsworth’s Shrewsbury Town make the journey – be sure to back the boys.
Reading: Pereira, Craog, Mbengue (Dean, 84’), Bindon, Dorsett, Elliott, Wing, Savage (Knibbs, 55’), Campbell (Osho, 88’), Camara (Wareham, 88’), Smith
Subs Not Used: Button, Ahmed, Sackey
Goalscorers: Wing (48’, 62’), Camara (59’)
Bookings: Camara, Elliott
Cambridge United: Reyes, Ibsen Rossi, Morrison, Andrew, Bennett, Smith, Cousins, Brophy (Watts, 67’), Kachunga (Kaunda, 82’), Nlundulu (Loft, 68’), Lavery (Njoku, 61’)
Subs Not Used: Stevens, O’Riordan, Holmes
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Cousins
Referee: Sam Allison
Attendance: 8333 (258 away fans)
