A nice win in midweek with three brand-new goalscorers, including one on a debut for Jacob Borgnis, set the Royals up for a much-needed home league game against a team that the Royals did the double over
last season. Mark O’Mahony finally getting on the scoresheet against West Ham United’s under-21s can hopefully knock some more confidence into him and show people the striker he really is.
Mansfield Town managed a 90th-minute winner against Rotherham United in their last game and are looking to regain their form, with that being their only win in their last five matches.
If this was last season, this game would’ve been one of the hardest for Mansfield. Away at Reading, nobody was safe. However, this season that home advantage has slipped and Reading themselves need to get this one over the line to restore some faith into the fans on what the team can do on home soil.
The head-to-head is in Reading’s favour with two wins from two last season, including a 5-1 thumping at the One Call Stadium.
In this preview I will mention the last game between the two sides, with a bit of analysis on how the Royals could do the same against their opponents this season; talk about the connection Noel Hunt has with the academy players; and give my predictions!
What? League One matchday 10
Season? 2025/26
Who? Mansfield Town
Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium
When? Saturday August 4
Time? 15:00
Opposition manager? Nigel Clough
Last season’s match
April 21 saw the Royals travel to Mansfield after picking up some away form and being in with a chance to fight for a playoff spot.
It was a double from Jayden Wareham, along with goals from Lewis Wing and Billy Bodin and an own goal from George Williams, that saw the Royals get their largest victory of the season.
Mansfield managed one after half-time but that wasn’t enough to stop the Royals from getting the ball into the back of the net. Mansfield actually had more shots and more big chances but this was a great example of how stats don’t win you matches.
Two goals from outside the box – one from Wing, one from Wareham – just carried on Reading’s unique characteristic in League One of having so many players capable of scoring from a distance.
As much as I talk about this game, one match doesn’t reflect on another. In fact, only six of the players who started that day are still at the club, and only one of the goal-scorers is.
The academy
It is very clear that Hunt manages the academy players a little better than the senior players. You can tell from how they play. He knows them more.
Part of the reason for this is him being the under-21s manager for a little while when Paul Ince and Ruben Selles were in charge. He pretty much knows the club inside and out, which is why people are still rooting for him to stay in the dugout. While others are complaining, he is getting results at the moment and that’s all we need as a club.
It was clear on Tuesday that the academy players play well under Hunt. A good 3-1 win against a strong academy side means Reading are one win away from qualifying for the knockout rounds of the Vertu Cup. Debutant Borgnis managed a goal and there were first strikes for the club from Jeremiah Okine-Peters and summer loanee O’Mahony.
The team seemed to gel together and team cohesion is massive in the game. I personally don’t think there was a player who had a bad game and that is credit to how Hunt set them up.
My lineup
There will be changes from midweek but I hope some of the youngsters get a good chance.
Joel Pereira will be in goal.
The defence should be Kelvin Abrefa, Borgnis, Finley Burns and Matty Jacob.
The midfield will be Wing, Liam Fraser (if fit) and – a weird one to say in the midfield section – Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan. He’s been playing in the number 10 role recently and I think it has worked quite well so I expect him to start there in this one.
This means Paddy Lane, Jack Marriott and Kamari Doyle make up the attack.
Score prediction: 3-1 Royals!
Good luck to those going to the game!
Come on you Royals!
