Reading's under-21 side suffered a 4-3 defeat at Exeter City after twice surrendering a lead, a result that leaves them without a point in the Premier League Cup group stage. The young Royals led 2-0 and 3-2 at St James Park but conceded a late winner to George Williams.
Michael Bampoh gave Reading the lead after 18 minutes, with Emmanuel Osho doubling the advantage a quarter of an hour later. Exeter hit back before the break through Ethan Sutherland and Ajay Matthews. Sutherland put the hosts ahead early in the second half, but Jerae Jones levelled for Reading with 15 minutes to play. Williams then struck the decisive goal for Exeter three minutes from time.
Disciplinary issues
The match was a scrappy affair, with the visitors picking up four yellow cards. Kian Harrison, Divine Mfuamba, Jerae Jones and Harvey Logan were all cautioned. Exeter received three bookings of their own.
Reading's senior side, who sit sixth in League One with 22 points from 14 games, will be looking for a response after their own 2-0 loss to Oxford United last time out. That defeat on 4 November was part of a recent run of two wins, one draw and two defeats. The senior team has scored 25 goals and conceded 15 this season, leaving them seven points behind the league leaders. Their next challenge is a trip to second-placed Stockport County on Saturday 14 November, a key fixture in the standings race.
For the under-21s, the focus now shifts to ending their winless run in the competition. They have conceded 11 goals in their four group matches so far. The first team's top scorer this season is J. Marriott with eight goals in nine appearances, a benchmark the academy will hope its forwards can one day match. Reading used three substitutes in the match, while Exeter made four changes.
Exeter City U21 said the "late winner from George Williams saw Exeter City U21 see off Reading U21 4-3 in a thrilling encounter at St James Park." The senior Royals squad now prepares for its away day at Edgeley Park.
The report in full is at exetercityfc.co.uk
