Reading FC Match Report: 2024/2025 Season - League One
READING 2 HUDDERSFIELD 1
Reading: H Knibbs (30), B Elliott (57)
Huddersfield: M Pearson (21)
Superbly taken goals from Harvey Knibbs and Ben Elliot either side of half time gave
Reading a morale-boosting win and three valuable points at the end of yet another turbulent
week off the pitch for Reading Football Club. Having made a bright start to the season, both
teams were eager to end a run of two defeats their previous games. Huddersfield will be
disappointed to come away with nothing to show for their endeavours after dominating
possession and taking a deserved lead midway through the first half.
One of several clumsy and unnecessary free-kicks conceded by Reading contributed to the
opening goal. Elliott, the culprit on this occasion, receiving a yellow card accordingly. Button
pulled off a good save to keep out Evans' kick but Pearson, one of the four Town players
following up, headed past the unprotected Button from close range, while a statuesque
Reading defence looked on, rooted to the spot. Nine minutes later Reading were level, when
Knibb's sharpness and persistence on the edge of the box earned himself a sight of goal of
which he took full advantage finding the net with a ferocious strike giving 'keeper Chapman
no chance.
Reading struggled to retain possession and escape from their own half, and apart from
Ehibhatiomhan's pace taking him past Spencer on the left wing, rarely threatened the
visitor's goal. Spencer earned an early yellow card for his efforts to contain the Reading
striker. In contrast on the other side of the pitch Campbell turned in another disappointing
low impact performance and was later replaced by Akande who also struggled, but at least
brought a bit more energy to the attack late in the game. Elloitt was clearly identified as a
creative threat and was always quickly and robustly challenged in midfield.
Reading started the second half on the front foot and Huddersfield looked uncomfortable at
the back for the first time in the match. A sharp exchange of short passes from a corner after
fifty-seven minutes resulted a precise and composed strike from Elliott which put Reading
ahead. Huddersfield responded by replacing virtually half their outfield players (including
three already on a yellow card) making four substitutions.
Injury to Arbrefa forced Ruben Seles to bring on Dean and switch Mbengue to left back for
the last ten minutes (plus seven minutes stoppage time) as Reading 'managed' the game
with some blatant, and unpunished time-wasting. Ehibhatiomhan sat down to be treated for
cramp, Mbengue taking a ridiculous amount of time over taking throw -ins, and then doing
his share of sitting down for treatment. How on earth he got away without receiving a yellow
card only the referee will know. Reading had chances to hit Town on the break as they
pushed up in search of an equaliser, but Reading could not take advantage and kill the
game off.
Interesting statistics for the game. Huddersfield registered nineteen attempts on goal with
only seven on target. Reading had six, all on target, four of which were blocked.
Huddersfield's 'keeper didn't make any saves. By comparison Button made six saves (all the
other attempts on target were blocked) and has every reason to be satisfied with his
performance today.
As mentioned previously Reading scored two cracking goals, worked very hard without the
ball, and can justifiably claim to have earned their three points. There may be huge problems
off the field, but it is a pleasure how Selles is increasing responding and engaging with the
fans, and showing tremendous commitment to our club.
John Wells
Post Match Fans' Opinion
Hendo
» 30 Sep 2024 08:48
Would've hooked Elliott at HT, but he grew into the game and capped it off with a goal.
Saw a few people on SM criticise Button for the goal, which is quite frankly :| - he made an amazing save, tipped it onto the bar and then his defenders rewarded him by playing statues and letting Huddersfield get to the ball first. That said, I thought the back 5 had pretty decent games overall, especially Button who should 100% play whilst JP is out.
Knibbs is so crucial to everything good that we do. Just drives the team forward and if he plays well, we play well.
Still think Wing is much less effective playing deep, but I guess it's more needs must right now.
Snowflake Royal
» 30 Sep 2024 08:52
I thought Button has played extremely well in his two games back, despite conceding 5 at Bolton, but that wasn't really his fault. My MotM on saturday.
Elliott took his goal really well, but he was giving the ball away far too much early on. I think he needs to develop more before starting regularly with other fit options.
Knibbs was also great, so good at stealing the ball and crucial to a high press.
Abrefa similarly struggled with closing his man, just like Dorsett, which makes me think its a Selles problem, and he's setting his fullbacks too narrow. He did play better though.
Midfield really needs Savage in it. Or Wing higher and Craig sitting maybe. But that would be less good for a high press.
Dim and Mick continue with their conspiracy theory that Selles hates Kelvin despite starting him every week.
Really good result in a scrappy game that keeps us midtable and pauses some of the despair for a while. Really need to find or pick a LB so Abrefa can get on the right side and we can stop making do with Craig out of position.
Campbell is looking decent.
Snowflake Royal
» 30 Sep 2024 08:55
That'll probably be Dim and Mick saying he should have done better and just palmed it into danger, because they've got terrible eyesight and will never ever correct anything they get wrong.
Completely agree with your view of the goal. He did brilliantly to tip it onto the bar. And he wouldn’t have needed to make a save if Elliott hadn't made a moronic challenge to give away the freekick. Nice of the defence to just stop and watch as four Udders players ran in to tuck it away.
Orion1871
» 30 Sep 2024 08:58
Sat right behind the goal and said to one of the people who sit next to me as it was being lined up that I thought Button had left too much space to aim at for the free kick. A step further to the left, even half a step, and I think he'd have tipped it over the bar instead of onto it.
That said the defenders definitely didn't react well and have to take most of the blame.
Snowflake Royal
» 30 Sep 2024 09:48
Think he was one of the weakest of the team on Sat.
I'm mindful of giving him time. He's not really delivered any end product yet, but he does often seem to put a shift in and be involved.
Now you mention it I'm not sure how much he helped Craig out.
He feels a more mature footballer than Akande, but maybe less impactful. I at least feel he's not unjustifiably blocking anyone's progress, which is a positive compared to many of our loanees previously.
leon
» 30 Sep 2024 09:54
Think he was one of the weakest of the team on Sat.
not been massively impressed so far I'm afraid. He was too far away from Craig in possession and no where when out of. There's an enormous hole in midfield between the defence and the front 3 that means we just give possession away with long clearances. That's where Wing should be but he's playing (not effectively) as a sweeper. We need to move Craig into shielding the defence and Wing into a more creative role in MF. But who plays RB? Dean? :shock:
Hendo
» 30 Sep 2024 09:59
Think he was one of the weakest of the team on Sat.
not been massively impressed so far I'm afraid. He was too far away from Craig in possession and no where when out of. There's an enormous hole in midfield between the defence and the front 3 that means we just give possession away with long clearances. That's where Wing should be but he's playing (not effectively) as a sweeper. We need to move Craig into shielding the defence and Wing into a more creative role in MF. But who plays RB? Dean? :shock:
Would agree with this, but I think with the injuries we have right now it's a needs must.
I'd rather keep it as it is for now, than play Dean at RB - thought he looked on the weighty side when he came on at the weekend.
Snowflake Royal
» 30 Sep 2024 10:01
Think he was one of the weakest of the team on Sat.
not been massively impressed so far I'm afraid. He was too far away from Craig in possession and no where when out of. There's an enormous hole in midfield between the defence and the front 3 that means we just give possession away with long clearances. That's where Wing should be but he's playing (not effectively) as a sweeper. We need to move Craig into shielding the defence and Wing into a more creative role in MF. But who plays RB? Dean? :shock:
Also noticed the front 3/4 all push high leaving a gaping midfield void as we try to pass out from the back.
We need some to push high and some to drop deep and then switch to try to create space and break the defensive line.
Agree Wing isn't in the right position, but I'm not sure he fits our style higher up. What would your midfield be?
Craig
Wing, Knibbs
?
Not sure Wing has the legs for the high press.
Few options to cover RB.
Abrefa - Garcia or Osho LB
Bindon - Dean CB
Mbengue - Dean CB
Rushesha
None great options. I'd choose the first one.
Hound
» 30 Sep 2024 10:14
I didn’t think we played very well tbh, but a superb result in the circumstances
Crowd felt quite subdued, still seem to be quite affected by the takeover disaster which is understandable
I thought Huddersfield looked a good side but lacking a bit of urgency in the final third. I imagine they’d be extremely frustrated to lose the game
Selles continues to do very well with what he has available. Agree Elliott had a poor game bar the goal, whilst I thought Savage was excellent when he came on. I’d swap those two for the time being. Craig is doing well at RB. LB is an issue, but I’d give Abrefa a few more games there.
Mbengue was very good, Bindon also. Knibbs arguably our most impt player. Kelvin E was quality, looked our biggest threat by a mile. Smith and Campbell worked hard but didn’t offer too much
Didn’t come away feeling particularly enthused. It’s great to see the lads work so hard and earn the result but I’m very concerned about losing players due to injuries/Pang. We’re really stretched thin
WestYorksRoyal
» 30 Sep 2024 10:26
Clyde1998
» 30 Sep 2024 11:17
I also said to the people next to me before the free-kick was taken that Button looked too far to his right - leaving too much space for them to aim at. I understand the wall is supposed to cover that side of the goal, but Button seems to be leaving himself a bit too much in the event the ball gets past the wall (as it did here). Perhaps he used to be able to cover that distance, but can't anymore due to his age?
Completely agree with the point about following in, they had three of four players anticipating a rebound compared to our zero. That was a much bigger issue when it comes to that goal.
Agree with this. Ideally, I'd have a similar shape in midfield to how we finished last season:
I think that would allow Wing the licence to get further up the pitch, into areas where he'll be more effective; would get Knibbs closer to Smith and allow Craig to cover defensively in midfield.
The problem at the moment is obviously the full-back positions, where Craig is needed at right-back and Abrefa is currently needed at left-back. The only potential alternative I can think of, which I wouldn't want to see unless absolutely required, would be moving Mbengue to full-back and having Dean at centre-back.
leon
» 30 Sep 2024 11:20
I also said to the people next to me before the free-kick was taken that Button looked too far to his right - leaving too much space for them to aim at. I understand the wall is supposed to cover that side of the goal, but Button seems to be leaving himself a bit too much in the event the ball gets past the wall (as it did here). Perhaps he used to be able to cover that distance, but can't anymore due to his age?
Completely agree with the point about following in, they had three of four players anticipating a rebound compared to our zero. That was a much bigger issue when it comes to that goal.
Agree with this. Ideally, I'd have a similar shape in midfield to how we finished last season:
I think that would allow Wing the licence to get further up the pitch, into areas where he'll be more effective; would get Knibbs closer to Smith and allow Craig to cover defensively in midfield.
The problem at the moment is obviously the full-back positions, where Craig is needed at right-back and Abrefa is currently needed at left-back. The only potential alternative I can think of, which I wouldn't want to see unless absolutely required, would be moving Mbengue to full-back and having Dean at centre-back.
this crossed my mind but that implications of Dean at CB was too much to consider. Especially as Bindon/Mbengue I think is a very strong pairing.
Whore Jackie
» 30 Sep 2024 13:15
Kudos to Craig, think he's had a pretty decent stint at RB. Certainly not an area that the opposition target given our first-choice RB is missing. Huddersfield seemed to target Abrefa on the left early on, but he definitely grew into the game. Having Knibbs fit though makes such a difference to the whole team's defence. His pressing was exceptional on Saturday.
Snowflake Royal
» 30 Sep 2024 13:16
I also said to the people next to me before the free-kick was taken that Button looked too far to his right - leaving too much space for them to aim at. I understand the wall is supposed to cover that side of the goal, but Button seems to be leaving himself a bit too much in the event the ball gets past the wall (as it did here). Perhaps he used to be able to cover that distance, but can't anymore due to his age?
Completely agree with the point about following in, they had three of four players anticipating a rebound compared to our zero. That was a much bigger issue when it comes to that goal.
Agree with this. Ideally, I'd have a similar shape in midfield to how we finished last season:
I think that would allow Wing the licence to get further up the pitch, into areas where he'll be more effective; would get Knibbs closer to Smith and allow Craig to cover defensively in midfield.
The problem at the moment is obviously the full-back positions, where Craig is needed at right-back and Abrefa is currently needed at left-back. The only potential alternative I can think of, which I wouldn't want to see unless absolutely required, would be moving Mbengue to full-back and having Dean at centre-back.
this crossed my mind but that implications of Dean at CB was too much to consider. Especially as Bindon/Mbengue I think is a very strong pairing.
You 100% wouldn't want Bindon and Dean unless you had to, because it would be back to seriously lacking pace. Bindon's not glacial by any stretch, but he isn't quick like Mbengue.
WestYorksRoyal
» 30 Sep 2024 13:42
Garcia is 16. Bench appearances, pizza cup etc., is fine, but not the answer in the league..
Brogue
» 30 Sep 2024 14:05
Agreed on Craig. And if anything it gives a very promising academy player valuable minutes on the pitch to develop. even if it’s out of position, it’s going to benefit him in the long run - getting game time at such an early age. Which is what kinda annoys me about this cem Campbell signing. Just don’t see the point in him blocking the pathway of our academy products.
Snowflake Royal
» 30 Sep 2024 17:04
Agreed on Craig. And if anything it gives a very promising academy player valuable minutes on the pitch to develop. even if it’s out of position, it’s going to benefit him in the long run - getting game time at such an early age. Which is what kinda annoys me about this cem Campbell signing. Just don’t see the point in him blocking the pathway of our academy products.
I don't think he's really blocking anyone. Who would that be?
Akande is still getting minutes and isn't what you'd want in a starter yet. Camara is injured. Ahmed is behind Akande. Sackey seems more a midfielder. Tuma has had a few minutes but doesn't seem ready to be starting regularly.
Brogue
» 30 Sep 2024 17:17
Agreed on Craig. And if anything it gives a very promising academy player valuable minutes on the pitch to develop. even if it’s out of position, it’s going to benefit him in the long run - getting game time at such an early age. Which is what kinda annoys me about this cem Campbell signing. Just don’t see the point in him blocking the pathway of our academy products.
I don't think he's really blocking anyone. Who would that be?
Akande is still getting minutes and isn't what you'd want in a starter yet. Camara is injured. Ahmed is behind Akande. Sackey seems more a midfielder. Tuma has had a few minutes but doesn't seem ready to be starting regularly.
Well personally I’d like to see knibbs moved onto the right so we can have a midfield 5 of WiFi on the left, wing, savage and Elliott in the middle and knibbs on the right. So yeh not an academy blocker, true, a savage blocker, we are a better side when savage plays.
Snowflake Royal
» 30 Sep 2024 17:49
I don't think he's really blocking anyone. Who would that be?
Akande is still getting minutes and isn't what you'd want in a starter yet. Camara is injured. Ahmed is behind Akande. Sackey seems more a midfielder. Tuma has had a few minutes but doesn't seem ready to be starting regularly.
Well personally I’d like to see knibbs moved onto the right so we can have a midfield 5 of WiFi on the left, wing, savage and Elliott in the middle and knibbs on the right. So yeh not an academy blocker, true, a savage blocker, we are a better side when savage plays.
I agree Savage should play, but Knibbs was poor when he started in the left last season and was a revelation in the middle. I wouldn’t want to push him out to the right and risk not getting the best out of him.
All opinions though
Snowflake Royal
» 30 Sep 2024 18:19
And the week before.
For me, Elliott is understudy to Knibbs. Savage is probably more understudy to Wing, but of those not currently in midfield most deserving to be there. And Craig is really the only senior player properly suited to screening defence.
But it would be a 'brave' manager that drops Wing for either Savage or Craig.
Hound
» 30 Sep 2024 19:21
And the week before.
For me, Elliott is understudy to Knibbs. Savage is probably more understudy to Wing, but of those not currently in midfield most deserving to be there. And Craig is really the only senior player properly suited to screening defence.
But it would be a 'brave' manager that drops Wing for either Savage or Craig.
Yeah didn’t see the previous week but thought he was pretty good in some earlier games
Big fan of Craig but realistically has to stay RB atm. The midfield is functioning ok and don’t fancy the other options at RB
Snowflake Royal
» 30 Sep 2024 22:04
And the week before.
For me, Elliott is understudy to Knibbs. Savage is probably more understudy to Wing, but of those not currently in midfield most deserving to be there. And Craig is really the only senior player properly suited to screening defence.
But it would be a 'brave' manager that drops Wing for either Savage or Craig.
Yeah didn’t see the previous week but thought he was pretty good in some earlier games
Big fan of Craig but realistically has to stay RB atm. The midfield is functioning ok and don’t fancy the other options at RB
I think Elliott copes a lot better against the better sides who play football. The more defensive, direct and physical sides he struggles more with. Looked very accomplished at the start of the season.
stealthpapes
» 01 Oct 2024 07:27
The biggest thing I've noticed is that Dorsett appears to have really dropped off the pace - out of position for at least one goal vs Wrexham (definitely the second) for a start. So with a right back injured (Yiadom played in 32 games last season), a left back out of form (Dorsett played in 23 games, with a spell out injured), the cover defenders released (Mola played in 30 games, Carson a further 10), its perhaps no surprise this is where we are showing the most cracks.
Match Stats
Full Time: 2-1
Half Time: 1-1
Attendance: 11181
Referee: Scott Oldham
[More]
Teams
Reading:
D Button, K Abrefa (H Dean, 80), A Mbengue, T Bindon, M Craig, H Knibbs, L Wing, B Elliott (C Savage, 79), C Campbell (A Akande, 70), S Smith, K Ehibhatiomhan.
Huddersfield:
Bookings / Red Cards
Reading: B Elliott
Huddersfield: --
League One on 28 September 2024
This League One game took place 538 days ago in the 2024/2025 season.

