Reading's Under-21s snatched a dramatic late point against Newcastle United's youngsters on Friday night. Substitute Matteo Dashi scored a 96th-minute equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in the Jersey Mike's Trophy.
Vakhtang Salia had put the visitors ahead three minutes after half-time, finishing a neat exchange with Kyran Thompson. The Newcastle striker's evening turned sour later on when he received a straight red card for violent conduct after a duel with Philip Duah, forcing his side to play the final 25 minutes with ten men.
Reading pressed for a leveller against the depleted opposition. Goalkeeper Roman Dowell, who was aiming for a third consecutive clean sheet, made an impressive stop to deny Joe Barough. Henry Johnson also produced a key goal-line clearance to keep the hosts at bay. The breakthrough finally came in the sixth minute of added time. Dashi, who had replaced Callum Cliff, found space on the left. "Arriving onto a low cross from the left flank before bending a powerful effort into the far right-hand corner," Dashi said of his decisive finish.
The result provides a positive note for Reading's academy as the senior side prepares for a key League One fixture. The first team, sitting sixth in the league table with 22 points from 14 games, face a tough trip to second-placed Stockport County on Saturday in their next fixture. Their recent form shows two wins, two draws and one defeat from the last five outings, having scored an average of 1.6 goals per game while conceding 1.2. The senior side's last result was a 2-2 draw at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday 10 November, a match that featured a remarkable sequence of late penalties. That result leaves the club with a record of six wins, four draws and four losses this season, having scored 25 goals and conceded 15. They currently trail the league leaders by seven points.
Several Reading prospects impressed in the youth clash. Michael Bampoh injected vibrant energy from the bench, while Luke Howard operated effectively as a number ten. Howard provided an assist for the senior team in their recent 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers. The senior side's top scorer this season is Jack Marriott, who has eight goals in nine appearances, including one in the 5-0 win at Peterborough on Saturday 7 November. The draw demonstrated the young side's resilience, refusing to panic even when time was running out. Their next challenge is to build on this result as the development pathway continues.
The report in full is at newcastleunited.com
