The Sky Blues recorded a dramatic 3-2 win over Reading, with goals from Hamer, Godden and McCallum ending City’s run of six games without a victory.
A pinpoint 20-yard drive from Gustavo Hamer opened the scoring against the league leaders with his first City goal on 23 minutes. Matty Godden restored City’s lead in the second-half with an instinctive finish, before Sam McCallum fired in a stunning goal from long-range.
Lucas Joao's earlier equaliser and a late goal from George Puscas put the Sky Blues under pressure in the final moments, but the team held on earn all three points.
It was an end-to-end start to the game under the Friday night lights. The first half-chance came Reading’s way inside 3 minutes, as Sone Aluko almost collected the ball 12 yards out, after Fankaty Dabo had played a loose pass across the box.
Forming close to a front four with Ryan Giles in the opening stages, Dabo sought to atone for his earlier mistake by feeding the ball to Hamer, who found Godden at a tight angle for the Sky Blues’ first chance of the game.
On 15 minutes, Ryan Giles beat his marker on the left flank to float in a cross towards Sky Blues captain Godden, whose header flew just under the crossbar as City continued to threaten the league leaders.
However, Reading responded six minutes later. Reacting to another defensive mixup, Marko Marosi stood strong to deny Lucas Joao, after the striker ran beyond the Sky Blues backline.
City took the lead midway through the first half through Gustavo Hamer’s pinpoint strike from 20 yards out. Smart interplay from Godden teed up the Dutch midfielder on the edge of the area, who slotted the ball away with a precise finish beyond Reading ‘keeper Rafael.
Mark Robins’ team pressed hard to limit Reading’s opportunities as the away side looked to grab an equaliser, producing a display that had the manager and his coaching staff cheering from the dugout before the break.
HALF TIME: SKY BLUES 1-0 READING
With the action back underway, Ryan Giles had City’s first chance of the second-half. Cutting in on his right foot, searching for the far corner, the wingback fired the ball narrowly wide.
In the 52nd minute, the Sky Blues attempted to double their lead, once more. Michael Olise’s pass was pounced upon by Matty Godden, who intercepted the ball just outside the box, before firing his shot over under pressure.
The Royals, looking maintain their unbeaten start to the season, threatened Marosi’s goal again on 59 minutes. Tomas Esteves whipped in a teasing cross from the right that was flicked wide of the post by Joao.
After threatening to score throughout the game, it was Joao who eventually equalised for Reading on 66 minutes. Cutting inside from the right, the striker carried the ball to a central position before arrowing a finish into the far corner from 20 yards.
Max Biamou went agonisingly close to giving the Sky Blues the lead on 75 minutes, as the striker saw his effort come crashing off the crossbar from a few yards out. City seized on the loose ball before it was forced behind for a corner.
From the resulting set piece, the ball was played out to Dabo, who forced a solid save from distance. However, Rafael could only parry the ball out as far as Matty Godden. City’s captain seized upon the loose ball to produce an instinctive striker’s finish and restore the team’s lead.
Reading were quick to try and respond through a Sone Aluko free-kick. The winger curled the ball low to Marosi’s right to force the Sky Blues keeper into the best save of the match.
City all but sealed their win on 86 minutes with Sam McCallum hitting an unbelievable strike from distance. The substitute kept running into free space and as the game opened up, fired low into a crowd to score a special goal.
The away side refused to accept defeat with a goal from George Puscas after a low cross from Joao to make it a nervy finish for the Sky Blues. However, City held on firm to record their first league win in six and end Reading’s unbeaten run.
FULL-TIME: SKY BLUES 3-2 READING
Goals: Gustavo Hamer (23’), Lucas Joao (66’), Matty Godden (76’), Sam McCallum (85’), George Puscas (92’)
Yellows: Leo Ostigard, Gustavo Hamer, Michael Rose, Dominic Hyam, Marko Marosi
Sky Blues XI: Marko Marosi (GK), Michael Rose, Leo Ostigard, Dom Hyam, Fankaty Dabo (Dabo, 82’), Gustavo Hamer (O’Hare, 72’), Ben Sheaf, Jordan Shipley (Allen, 88’), Ryan Giles, Max Biamou, Matty Godden (C)
Unused Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Kyle McFadzean, Liam Kelly, Tyler Walker
Reading XI: Rafael (GK), Tomas Esteves, Liam Moore (C) (McIntyre, 80’), Michael Morrison, Omar Richards, Andy Rinomhota, Josh Laurent, Alfa Semedo, Michael Olise (Puscas, 80’), Sone Aluko, Lucas Joao
Unused Subs: Luke Southwood, Tennai Watson, Ethan Bristow, Lewis Gibson, Dejan Tetek