The Royals picked up a big three points in a thrilling 3-2 victory against Luton Town at the SCL Stadium on Thursday night.
Reading went 2-0 up with goals from Lewis Wing and Jack Marriott, but Luton staged a comeback to make it 2-2 with 15 minutes to go. Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan scored the winner to secure all three points.
The win moves us to 14th, still just three points off the relegation zone. Here is what manager Leam Richardson had to say, he spoke to Royals TV.
Richardson on the victory
“It was fantastic for the neutral,
not so much for ourselves. I am made up for the players and made up for big Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, going on and scoring the winner. I have a big thing about the squad players and subs to go on and either maintain the level or lift it.
“We spoke a lot about consistency and having that edge and finding a way to win in the moments. Tonight, we saw the fruits of that. Every person who went on the pitch – Liam Fraser, Fin Burns, Jack Marriott after seven weeks – they maintained the level or lifted it for me. The whole squad deserves credit for that.
“We started the game really well and controlled large parts of it without the ball. We have to be a bit better with the ball and do a little bit more. The first goal is avoidable, and we make a game of it, but to show the will and endeavour to come back from that is fantastic. We have been speaking to the group; we know they are young and we keep educating them.
“I take the pressure of the results and everything else around the football club, they take the pressure of their performances. Today they found a way to win and consistency in what we wanted to do to get the result.
“I thought we were fantastic. We are playing against an ex-Premier League team, and you can see the subs that came on for them and the quality they have running through their football club is immense. Our lads did really well and stepped up in most departments tonight.
Richardson on the Christmas period
“We are starting to get people back fit and training, getting the levels up to play as dynamic as I want to play. Our levels have to continue to go up, so fingers crossed we can do that over the Christmas period.”
Richardson on the fans
“I thought the fans were excellent tonight as well. When the seven minutes went up, you could hear them supporting and driving the energy on. It is not a flippant mention; they played their part.”
