Back (to Marlborough) from the game...

Bit of a delay, had to watch last episode of Killing Eve. Sorry!

A pretty strong performance all round, especially considering the injuries. These and the “home grown” rule saw Cantwell getting his full league debut and Aston-Oxborough on the bench in place of McGovern.

With Jamal Lewis and Max Aarons filling the full back slots and Bundia on the wing, City have seldom been so youthful but they each put in displays that defied their age and experience. Aarons is looking more and more comfortable with every appearance, Bundia is a classy act with a good work ethic and Cantwell again showed his potential.

First half was well controlled with Tettey and Stieperman proving a nice backbone which allowed Leitner to make some of the play. First goal followed some good work by Stiepermann and a great through ball from Cantwell. Pukki’s finish was clinical and unerring, he’s a bit of a goal machine at the moment and for the first time since Grant Holt, it feels like we have someone who is always capable of getting a goal.

Probably should have made it two considering the amount of play we had and apart from the one long range effort which Krul palmed away, Reading were kept very quiet by the City defence.

Second half we appeared to sit five yards deeper which invited Reading to press on, which they did to good effect. We couldn’t seem to be as fluid in our passing and Leitner seemed to be snuffed out a little. Their equaliser was scrappy, but on the balance of play wasn’t unexpected. Thank goodness Stiepermann took the game back to them immediately and created the chance which Vrancic took off of Cantwell’s toe. Great turn and finish.

Cantwell will get a lot of plaudits on his full debut and both Leitner and Bundia did some quality stuff. However, for me, Pukki worked is tail off and really led the line well but Stiepermann was a colossus supporting him and linking the play. He was strong, mixed it with the Reading players and ran himself to a virtual standstill when he was subbed near the end. He’s been a revelation in that role and has really added something to our ability to convert solid possession into meangingful attack.

City following were in good voice, nearly a thousand gave good backing all game.

Mrs Worthing Yellow enjoyed our pre-Anniversary trip... she always says she loves reading, I didn’t know she meant the activity! 😉 Proper Anniversary stuff today though 💘💝😀

OTBC 💛💚

Posted By: Worthing Yellow, Sep 20, 01:11:56