Stockport County 4-1 Reading: Player Ratings

Reading collapse away from home in an away performance reminiscent of previous seasons.

Joel Pereira: 5

Made some important interventions from early crosses and followed one in the first half with a great throw out to get Jayden Wareham running towards goal and earning a corner for Reading.

He could do nothing about the opener and, shortly after, made an absolutely sensational stop in the top-right corner to match the one he made in the top left on Saturday.

Again left with too much to do with an overload at the back post for Stockport’s set-piece- second. Then beaten by a penalty and another runner deep into the box for the third and fourth. Pereira made a few good saves but was simply left out to dry too many times.

Michael Craig: 4

Had a pretty tough night overall. Gave the ball away poorly in the middle of the field to reward Stockport’s press at one point in the early stages.

He struggles to help aerially with crosses delivered to the back post, and couldn’t help Bindon for the second. Did improve in the second half, but was unable to stop the run from his side for Stockport’s final goal, and couldn’t help out in the key moments tonight.

Amadou Mbengue: 4

Gave the ball away a little too cheaply a few times early on, though admittedly Stockport started well all round. Clumsily gave away a central free-kick outside of the box early on and was caught ball watching alongside Bindon for the first goal.

He was a part of the equaliser, driving the ball forwards well to find Knibbs on the edge of the box.

Went down painfully towards the end without much pressure, and was taken off for Harlee Dean shortly after with the game gone. He does appear to be struggling with a knock of late.

Tyler Bindon: 5

Faced a much higher press than he has in a few weeks. Mostly remained confident in retaining possession but wasn’t able to progress the ball as much as usual.

Left three-on-one at the back post for Stockport’s second, an unenviable task for any defender. Put in a really crucial block late in the first half but, alongside Mbengue, he was slower than usual to get out and challenge attackers tonight.

Andre Garcia: 5

Great going forward but made some unfortunate errors in the first half. Showed some lovely flashes of dribbling quality, at one point rolling the ball under his leg to wipe off a Stockport defender. Later on in the half he wriggled free of two defenders on the edge of the box to send in a dangerous cross.

Much more mixed on defence and gave away the free-kick Stockport scored their second from. Then went one worse, conceding the penalty for their third: beaten by the same seam ball he struggles with regularly. How much contact he really made is debatable, but it is something you risk with having a young defender in your team.

Lewis Wing: 5

Not his night. He was dribbled past way too easily in the build-up for Stockport’s opener, partially responsible for allowing the attack straight down the middle channel. A little slow to a lot of balls in the middle, and couldn’t stop the advance on Pereira for the Stockport fourth.

Got up the field for the first time shortly after the 30th minute and earned his own free-kick with what amounted to a cone slalom around Stockport defenders who eventually fouled him, but couldn’t find his target.

Became frustrated as the game slipped away from Reading and was booked for a nasty challenge when he had already squeezed his man into the sideline.

Charlie Savage: 5

Had a remit to get very far forward. Pressed energetically, getting all the way to Stockport’s corner flag early on to help Reading force the ball out of play and regain possession. Continued to run willingly just like that throughout the game, but didn’t find himself on the ball particularly often.

Taken off in the second half for Ben Elliott in the same substitution as last Tuesday.

Harvey Knibbs: 6

Diced Stockport’s defence up with some simple but effective running and went to the byline to cut back the ball for Campbell in a place where he could hardly miss.

Penalised unfairly by the referee a few too many times when he was pressing which led to a frustrating night all round for Knibbs, who went down with an injury late in the second half and had to be seen by the medical team.

Adrian Akande: 4

Did well to latch onto a searching ball behind the defence early on, but couldn’t quite get the first touch he wanted and was manoeuvred off the ball.

Helped get Knibbs to the byline with a give-and-go for the opening goal but overall struggled to get into the game, and still struggles with his defensive duties when in his own half. Taken off at the break.

Jayden Wareham: 5

Got a well deserved second start of the season after his good performance against Exeter City the week before saw him score his first League One goal. Unfortunately he couldn’t replicate that with another first-minute impact.

A little off it from that start, struggling to win the ball in the few times it was played forwards to him, though it was often long.

Chem Campbell: 6

Produced a lovely take-down off his high with his first involvement of the game, showing better command of his touch than he did last week vs Exeter.

Made a mistake and bit too hard onto a dribbling feint to allow Stockport to start barrelling forwards for their opener. Made up for it shortly after when he slammed home a Royal reply in the 30th minute, making no mistake from close range.

Earned a yellow card for Touray with his turns early on in the second half but didn’t offer enough to survive the changes and was switched for Mamadi Camara.

Subs

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 5

Brought on for Akande at half-time, and made an important headed clearance at the back post early, exhibiting one clear advantage vs Akande or Camara when in the XI. Other than that he was a bit off it, both with his defending and dribbling tonight, and struggles more when doubled up with a back three.

Ben Elliott: 6

Picked out in the box but failed to spot the man on the blind side and lost the chance for a good shot with the score at 3-1. Looked generally more comfortable in positioning and possession in a second half in which Stockport admittedly didn’t need to press forwards as much.

Mamadi Camara: 5

Came on with a half hour to go but failed to make much impact on the game.

Basil Tuma: N/A

Made a nice dribble on the ball and is physically skilled, winning duels as well. Could turn into a decent super sub for Reading if given more time.

Harlee Dean: N/A

Came on for the injured Mbengue towards the end. Delayed a dangerous attack well but was then turned for a shot that just went wide of the net.

Average: 5/10

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