The Wild Lower West: At Long Last

Dixey’s take on two big wins for Reading: 4-1 at home to Crawley Town before a 2-1 win at Exeter City in midweek.

The wait is over: Reading have finally won an away game!

More in hope than expectation, that opening line has been auto saved on my column template for such a long time, only this week I do not have to go anywhere near my delete key, and the words can sit proudly at the top of the page.

But before we delve into the demolition in Devon (it really wasn’t by the way), it’s easy to forget that just a few days earlier we had witnessed yet another home win, courtesy of Lewis Wing’s Magic Right Boot, which I think is an excellent name for a children’s book by the way, with the storyline based on how Wing’s right boot can do things which other boots can only dream of.

His right boot could launch rockets into space, carry kids to school when they have missed the bus, and clear snow from driveways during the winter. OK so I’m getting a bit carried away, but if there are any children’s authors reading this, I’d be happy to talk.

Winning 4-1 would normally mean match analysis would be simple, but the fact is that we didn’t play that well and Crawley Town didn’t play that badly, so 4-1 was not really the scoreline that befitted the game itself. In the early moments, Crawley looked lively and confident going forward, and were prepared to take risks. Maybe that was their downfall come the end of the game.

Amadou Mbengue notched his first goal of the season to give Reading the lead, with a finish that would have been admired by many of our strikers and prompted a “surely that wasn’t Mbengue?” reaction from those seated around me. I’m also going to be kind and give Charlie Savage the assist, even though his attempted shot was going nearer Club 1871 than it was the goal.

When Crawley equalised shortly afterwards, you could be forgiven for thinking the old Reading may well have retreated and surrendered the game, but the togetherness and will to win within this squad gets better and better every week.

A couple of last-ditch tackles prevented Crawley adding to their goal tally before Lewis Wing did Lewis Wing things and launched an absolute rocket into the top corner, resulting in entries for goal of the season now being closed.

Two more goals in the second half, courtesy of a clever Charlie Savage lob and a fine finish from Sam Smith, saw Reading claim all three points, although the 4-1 scoreline was harsh on Crawley, who were naïve rather than awful.

I’m really pleased Smith got his goal as he seems to have taken some stick lately, which for me is unjust, although everyone is entitled to their opinion. Smith does a lot of the ugly stuff that often goes unnoticed, and I thought his hold-up play and ability to pull defenders out of position were often the catalyst for our attacks. It’s also not easy to be an effective forward when you are being wrestled to the ground every five minutes.

Tuesday October 22, 2024

I have started with the date so that everyone can remember where they were when Reading won an away game. I was in The Nevada Construction Main Stand, Row K, seat 38, sat next to a gentleman who informed me that he had just eaten the biggest ******* pasty he had ever seen. I’m not sure whether he was telling me because he was genuinely impressed, or whether it was a subtle warning that I shouldn’t sit too close.

At this point I would like to thank the Exeter City stewards (who were very friendly, as were the home supporters) for the delivery of the most confusing message regarding seating that I have ever heard.

When I asked if it was reserved seating, I was informed that “it is reserved seating sir, but you can sit where you like, as long as it is in your own seat”. I did of course smile sweetly and thank the young lady for making everything so much clearer for me.

What was clear though was the fact that Reading started the game with attacking intent, and our press in the first half was up there with the best this season. Before I could get settled in my “sit where you want as long as it’s your own seat”, Jayden Wareham had held off his marker on the edge of the box and drilled in a low shot to give Reading a 1-0 lead. Not only was his finish full of composure, but his all-round play on the night was superb, and he ensured that Exeter’s back line was kept busy while he was on the pitch.

Reading then dominated the first half, with the only surprise being that it took until the 36th minute for us to double our lead, with the excellent Michael Craig following up Wing’s deflected effort to slot home for 2-0. For me, Craig has been a big part of our success this season, and he once again gave a performance that was mature and belied his inexperience in a right-back role.

For all of Reading’s first-half dominance, this really was the proverbial game of two halves, and Exeter showed intent straight from the kick-off, with Millenic Alli in particular proving to be a nuisance with his direct style of play and pace to run at defenders. It was of little surprise then that Exeter equalised shortly after the break, after some excellent work and cross by Alli, who I can’t help but think could have been a major problem had he started the game.

Exeter continued to press after their goal, and only the ever-impressive Mbengue prevented them from equalising, with a block in front of the returning Joel Pereira, followed by a last-ditch tackle that had red card written all over it, had it been mis-timed.

One of the things I’ve criticised this season is our substitutions and the timing of them away from home, although I have to say I thought Ruben Selles got both spot on against Exeter. Not just because we won the game, but also because he made them early enough to make a difference, utilising the players coming on in positions that were inviting pressure.

For all his obvious potential, Andre Garcia was suddenly being asked serious questions defensively, and Wareham was starting to tire after leading the press for most of the evening, so the introduction of Smith and Harlee Dean a little later was for me the right call.

Dean made a real difference when he came on and used his experience to marshal our back line, throwing himself in front of two goal-bound efforts, the second of which had many Exeter supporters behind the goal celebrating as if the ball hitting the back of the net was a formality.

The remainder of the second half saw me counting the pixels on the scoreboard above the away supporters. This is not because I was bored, but more because I looked at the clock so often until the final whistle, which, when it arrived, prompted a combined sigh of relief from 700 or so from The Ding and saw the cue for the customary Mbengue celebration.

And so my evening in Exeter was complete, and we had at last won an away game. I had managed to combine a scheduled work assignment with an overnight stop in Exeter, staying at the same hotel as the Reading team, sat in a seat that was reserved - but I could sit where I wanted, and witnessed the sheer joy of a man who had just eaten the biggest ******* pasty he had ever seen, so thanks again Exeter.

This Saturday we once again return to the SCL for yet another 12:30pm kick-off. I will never stop questioning the benefits of early kick-offs, especially when we have been subjected to three on the bounce. What I am hoping though is that we see a few more bums on seats, together with a large away following that will add to the atmosphere.

My prediction this week:

Reading 3-2 Bristol Rovers

Wing, Knibbs, Smith

12,867

I am replacing my dilemma this week with a final thought. While football is so important to all of us, there is always a moment to remember that there really are more important things in life. A very good friend of mine has recently discovered that his mum is terminally ill, and it has served as a reminder that we should enjoy every moment: good, bad or indifferent.

Thinking of you Mrs B.

Much love and c’mon URZZZ!

Dixey