Reading secured a 2-1 friendly win at Swindon Town last night - but had to come from behind after the home side took a first half lead. The Royals fielded a very young side that was missing most of the first team and gave the impression that Reading had taken an under-21 side to the County Ground. Despite the game being nothing more than a friendly, Reading took nearly 1,500 supporters to their old rivals. Reading's late goals were a big bonus to the travelling fans to make sure we claimed a victory more important than the game's status might suggest.
There was plenty of opportunity to see some of Reading's new signings with new goalkeeper Jaakkola playing the full match, and John Swift and Mendes playing a half each. Jaakkola was beaten when the ball took a deflection on the way into the back of the net just before half time. Reading looked far from convincing at the back, but were brighter with their attacking play, although we needed to rely on goals from two substitutes to secure the win. Rakels replaced Samuel in the first half and Stacey replaced Barrett with just over quarter of an hour to go. Rakels made it 1-1 from close range after a cross from Tanner on the right, and Stacey made it 2-1 with 88 minutes on the clock when he made a cut run, cut into the area and placed the ball past the goalkeeper for the winner.
Reading Team: Jaakkola, Keown (Long), Dickie, Jules (Griffin), Campi, Kelly (Rinomhota), Barrett (Stacey), Swift (Evans), Tanner, Mendes (Fosu), Samuel (Rakels).
Pre-Season Victory At Swindon
From the Discussion
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AN Anonymous 19 Jul 2016 · 4:30pm
We all know they aren't really our real rivals but a good game to see never the less and we have a decent following going. I look forward to Stams system taking shape even though none of us know whether he or any of his new players will be a success yet. I guess we just have to go with it and be optimistic. Results aren't really important at this point but it would be nice to keep the run going. I hope he plays a strong team in the first half including most of the new signings with youngsters and fringe players coming in during the second half. Looking forward to it.
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JA Jagermesiter1871 19 Jul 2016 · 5:25pm
Who are our real rivals?
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SL sloughroyal123 19 Jul 2016 · 5:30pm
Aldershot
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AN Anonymous 19 Jul 2016 · 5:42pm
Swindon is local but they don't give a shit about us really. It's all about Oxford for them. Not saying there's nothing in the fixture just its not a game the Swindon fans really care about.
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MA ManchesterRoyals 19 Jul 2016 · 6:43pm
One man went to kill went to kill a swindon one man and his baseball bat went to kill a swindon
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IR Ian Royal 19 Jul 2016 · 6:56pm
In that case we don't really have any real rivals... because we don't care about Swindon, Oxford, Aldershot, etc etc.
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NE NewCorkSeth 19 Jul 2016 · 6:57pm
Cromwell.
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AN Anonymous 19 Jul 2016 · 7:01pm
Ian, living in Cambridge and listening on your radio I doubt you know very much about our rivals. One could call you a distant follower not a fan.
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NA Nameless 19 Jul 2016 · 7:02pm
Looks like we've sent an u21 side to Swindon. Interesting Campi is involved.
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CR Crowbar6753 19 Jul 2016 · 7:03pm
Back in the day when i was a young lad standing on the South Bank it was always Swindon, Oxford and Aldershot who were our rivals, and to a lesser extent both the Bristol teams. Personally i preferred Oxford as they always had a more hardcore set of fans and always brought more and it felt like a real derby game. I would say Aldershot are our biggest rivals, and games down at the Rec were always great fun, especially dodging the darts and bricks they always seemed to launch at us lol... Cardiff and Swansea were always fun affairs as well. :D :D Those were the days....
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NE NewCorkSeth 19 Jul 2016 · 7:03pm
Are you there?
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CR Crowbar6753 19 Jul 2016 · 7:08pm
Thought we would have put out a stronger side tonight? must be keeping the first teamers for Wimbledon on Saturday i guess. Not sure whether this team will be good enough to beat Swindon lol.