The Sky Blues secured all three points at the Select Car Leasing Stadium this afternoon after goals from captain Dom Hyam, Michael Rose and Ian Maatsen.
City battled back and drew level just before half-time after Gustavo Hamer’s long ranged effort was flicked in by Hyam in first half injury time.
Rose headed city into the lead just after the break and despite an equaliser from Andy Yiadom, Maatsen’s chipped effort ensured City took home all three points.
The Sky Blues had a glorious chance to open the scoring just six minutes in, after Callum O’Hare latched onto a through ball, his low cross found Viktor Gyokeres in space just inside the area, but his shot was well saved by Karl Hein.
As both sides looked to create an opening, Josh Laurent came close to testing Simon More 20 minutes in, he found himself free outside the area, however his driven effort flew past Moore’s far post.
The hosts took the lead just minutes later, Junior Hoilet cut in from the left side and his curling cross was well met by Lucas Joao, as his header found the corner to give the Royal’s a 1-0 lead.
Reading continued to apply the pressure creating two good chances within minutes, John Swift had a long ranged effort parried for a corner by Moore. Just after the 27th minute mark, Tom Ince also had a go from distance, but his effort was flew wide.
City pushed for a leveler before the break and Ben Sheaf came close with an effort from just outside the area. However, in the second minute of stoppage time a city corner was headed out the box and Gustavo Hamer rifled an effort which Hyam helped along with a touch into Hein’s far corner leaving him with no chance as the sides went into the break at 1-1.
HALF-TIME: READING 1 – 1 SKY BLUES
Mark Robins’ men put the hosts on the back foot immidiatley and earned themselves a corner on the 47th minute. A curling inswininger by Hamer was met by the rising Rose, whose header was glanced into the top corner to give the Sky Blues the lead.
Reading forced their way level just nine minutes later, a Tom Ince corner was met by Yiadom and he headed his effort goalwards and it crept in at the near post brinign the scores level at 2-2.
Hamer came close to giving the Sky Blues the lead again, the midfielder had a free-kick from around 25 yards out, however it didn’t produce enough dip to force Hein into a save.
The hosts went down to 10 men in the 63rd minute, after getting booked just minutes earlier, Hoilett lunged into Gyokeres and got none of the ball leaving referee David Webb with no choice but to produce a second yellow as the score remained level.
The Sky Blues took adavantage almost immdiatley after the red card, Gyokeres played a clever ball through to Maatsen who saw Hein coming off his line, before delicatley chipping the ball over him giving the Sky Blues a 3-2 lead.
City continued to look dangerous from set pieces, Hamer played a short corner to Maatsen, and he whipped in a cross which Jake Clarke-Salter header just wide as the visitors looked to extend the lead.
The Royals substitue Yakou Meite looked to give the hosts a chance to draw level, his burst down the right allowed him to play a cross straght across the face of goal, Tom Ince would’ve had a simple finish, however excellent pressure by Todd Kane saw Ince blast his shot high and wide or Moore’s goal.
As City looked to close the game out, O’Hare had a curling effort from just outside the area, but it didn’t force Hein into a save and resillient defending for the reaminder of the match saw the Sky Blues see the game out.
FULL-TIME: READING 2– 3 SKY BLUES
Attendence: TBA
Referee: David Webb
Yellows:Jake Bidwell (14’), Gustavo Hamer (29’), Dom Hyam (37’), Ben Sheaf (72’), Ian Maatsen (88’); Tom Holmes (84’), Junior Hoilett (57’).
Red:Junior Hoilett (63’)
Goalscorers:Lucas Joao (23’), Dom Hyam (45+2), Michael Rose (47’), Andy Yiadom (55’), Ian Maatsen (65’)
Reading XI: Karl Hein (GK), Andy Yiadom, Baba Rahman, Michael Morrison ©, Tom Holmes, Andy Rinomhota (Yakou Meite. 69’), Josh Laurent, Junior Hoilett, John Swift, Tom Ince, Lucas Joao.
Unusued Subs: Luke Southwood (GK), Kelvin Abrefa, Tom McIntyre, Tom Dele-Bashiru, Mamadi Camara, Jahmari Clarke.
Sky Blues XI: Simon Moore (GK), Todd Kane, Dom Hyam ©, Michael Rose, Jake Clarke-Salter, Jake Bidwell (Jordan Shipley 65’), Ben Sheaf, Gustavo Hamer, Callum O’Hare (82' Allen), Ian Maatsen, Viktor Gyokeres.
Unused Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Kyle McFadzean, Jodi Jones, Ryan Howley, Fabio Tavares.