Reading 3-2 Blackpool: Curtain Call

Reading conclude their 2023/24 season with a win, thanks to goals from Sam Smith, Harvey Knibbs and Femi Azeez.

That’s what an afternoon of football should be like. A largely stress-free and certainly entertaining game with a hyped-up, bumper crowd in place to enjoy the experience. This 3-2 win over Blackpool was far from perfect, either in scoreline or performance, but that’s not the point.

Following this club, even at its best, isn’t about perfection. It’s not about grandeur. It’s about being able to get behind a team because you want to. And this afternoon was a reminder of how enjoyable it is to be invested in this side.

A young, likeable, committed, talented team under a young, likeable, committed, talented manager. Not getting everything right, but playing with passion, enjoying its football - and winning too! You can’t fake the passion that erupted on the pitch and in the stands when Sam Smith drew us level, Harvey Knibbs put us ahead, Femi Azeez extended the lead, or when the entire group shared in Club 1871’s love during the post-match lap of appreciation.

Yep, this was a lovely resolution for an emotionally draining season. And, like the best season finales, this game left me eager for more. I can’t wait to see the next chapter in this team’s development, I can’t wait to see this team take to the field in a competitive game again. Subject to the takeover being finalised, of course. There’s always that caveat.

But this team, this manager and this fanbase have earned themselves enjoyment without caveats. And we got that today.

The afternoon started with Selles making one change to the side that lost 3-2 at Burton Albion a week earlier. Out went Kelvin Abrefa at right-back, replaced by Clinton Mola. There was also room for Mamadi Camara and Tom Holmes to make the bench, at the expense of Paul Mukairu and Tivonge Rushesha.

Reading (4-1-4-1): Pereira; Mola, Mbengue, Bindon, Dorsett; Wing; Azeez, Elliott, Knibbs, Ehibhatiomhan; Smith

Subs: Button, Abrefa, Holmes, Craig, Savage, Camara, Wareham

Most match reports at this point turn to, well, the match, but there was plenty going on before kick-off. Around a quarter of an hour before the game, Selles came out onto the pitch to reciprocate some well deserved, hearty applause from around the ground. Soon after, an El Jefe banner made its way across the Eamonn Dolan and Sir John Madejski stands.

It looked fantastic when seen from distance...

...albeit a tad more comical when you’re underneath it. This is the only time I’ll describe Selles as big-headed.

Suspicions of a new kit being worn had been raised when the players warmed up in new-look shorts. These were noticeably darker, with red lettering. And those suspicions were proven correct just before kick-off when Reading walked onto the pitch wearing a new home shirt - next season’s in fact! Though that might irritate the purists, it was a nice twist at the conclusion of a season that’s been full of nasty surprises.

In keeping with much of the rest of the season however was some poor defending in the early encounters. Just four minutes in, Reading struggled to deal with a low cross from the right wing, the ball was set up for Karamoko Dembele, and he duly tucked it into the far side of the goal for 1-0.

Reading were the better side for the rest of the half though, bar the visitors’ only other shot before the interval. Joel Pereira had to be alert shortly before half-time for a one-on-one stop after Jeriel Dorsett had lost the ball cheaply.

Down the other end, the Royals had been creating some decent chances. Knibbs had the pick of the bunch, somehow fluffing his lines at the back post when found by a low cross by Azeez. Otherwise Azeez should have done better himself with a right-footed effort that he pulled wide, while Smith, Amadou Mbengue, Ben Elliott and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan also tried their luck.

The equaliser eventually came on the stroke of half-time through Smith. Showing some nice variety to his play for a left-footer playing on the right wing, this time Azeez swung in a right-footed cross from the left. It found the head of Smith, who nodded home cutely for 1-1.

Both sides looked fairly dangerous in the first quarter of an hour after the break. Dorsett had the best chance for Reading in that period, rising high to meet an inswinging Azeez corner but failing to get over the ball. He met it well, but too well, clearing the bar with his header.

Blackpool were improving going forwards notably too though. They’d only mustered two shots before the interval, but looked more cohesive soon after the restart. Hayden Coulson should really have put his side 2-1 up around 10 minutes into the half, found in space on the edge of the area, but unable to keep his shot down.

Selles switched things up in the 66th minute by introducing Camara for Ehibhatiomhan, and it soon paid dividends. A long ball was well met by Smith and guided to Knibbs, who fed Camara on the left wing. The substitute could have gone for goal himself, but opted to return the ball to Knibbs, who took a touch and slotted home.

Just three minutes later it was 3-1. Camara and Knibbs were involved again, combining on the left before the latter sent a cross in for Smith. He flicked the ball on for Azeez at the back post, who fired home - seemingly via a deflection.

On paper it was a redundant goal in a dead-rubber. But did it feel like that in the moment? Not at all. Not judging by the jubilation from the players celebrating it on the pitch, or from the fans lapping it all up.

That goal also made it party mode for the final 20 minutes or so. Reading had their tails up and were clearly keen to get a fourth, looking far more spirited than a Blackpool side that now needed three goals to get into the playoffs. For a while it was entirely stress-free viewing.

There was also time for some more substitutes to enter the fray. Tom Holmes came on for his final Reading appearance in place of Tyler Bindon, and clearly fancied a goal himself, judging by how keen he was to stay up for set pieces. Charlie Savage also replaced Ben Elliott at the same time (76 minutes). Eight minutes later, Clinton Mola and Femi Azeez were taken off for Kelvin Abrefa and Jayden Wareham in straight swaps on the right flank.

We weren’t quite done there for match action. Pereira handed Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel the easiest goal he’ll ever score, skewing a kick straight to the onrushing Blackpool man, who instinctively knocked it home for 3-2.

That was an annoying final action, given how careless and needless it was, even if it wasn’t consequential. Wareham could well have made it 4-2 in response however, only to blast over from close range when found by Smith’s low cross from the left.

You can tell a lot about the connection between team and fans by how many people stay behind for the lap of honour. It’s been sparsely attended in recent years, but this time a huge number stuck around - most supporters stayed to see the Player of the Season and Goal of the Season awarded, at least.

Congratulations to Lewis Wing who won the former award (60%), ahead of Tyler Bindon (16%) and Harvey Knibbs (11%). We’ll be running our own vote soon, with some of our writers making the case for the leading candidates. Congratulations also to Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, who took the latter award, thanks to his incredible strike against Cambridge United.

It really is remarkable just how well, and just how organically, a great culture is being built at this club - despite all the problems that have come up this season. And everyone is buying into it. The post-match scenes today were testament to that.

There’s more to come. Watch this space. See you next season.