Kyreece Joshua Lisbie's second-half brace secured a vital 2-1 comeback win for Reading against Barnsley in League One on Saturday. The victory lifts the Royals to sixth place in the table on 18 points from 11 games, with a record of five wins, three draws and three losses, just four points behind leaders Stockport County.
Barnsley took a shock early lead in the seventh minute when Vimal Yoganathan found the net. Reading, who had won their previous two league matches as part of a recent form of three wins and two losses in the last five, responded with purpose after the break. Lisbie levelled the scores in the 54th minute before completing the turnaround fourteen minutes later, finishing from a Josh Stokes assist. This result followed a 1-0 win over Leyton Orient on Wednesday 21 October, where P. Lane scored the decisive goal.
Match statistics
Reading had less of the ball with 44% possession but were more clinical, registering 12 shots with five on target. Barnsley managed 11 attempts but only forced two saves from the Reading goalkeeper. The team's overall defensive record this season remains strong, having conceded only 12 goals.
Squad changes
Jamie Reid and Daniel Kyerewaa were introduced later, with Kyerewaa coming on for the two-goal hero Lisbie in the fourth minute of added time. The win continues a strong run of form that has seen Reading score 23 goals in 11 league games this season, giving them a goal difference of plus eleven. The club's top scorer this season remains J. Marriott with eight goals in seven appearances.
Reading now prepare for a significant test away at fifth-placed Plymouth Argyle on Saturday 31 October. The squad sits on 18 points from 11 matches, firmly in the playoff conversation as the season progresses.
Barnsley defender Ziyad Larkeche confirmed he used his recent spell on the sidelines to analyse the game. The left-back, who came on at half-time in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Luton, said, "I like to improve so when you can't play, it's by watching other players." His return came ahead of facing Reading, who have since moved to fifth in League One with 21 points from 12 games. The Royals' 2-1 win over Barnsley on Saturday was their second consecutive victory.
