Jack Stevens: 5
Could have done better with the second goal, but was left one-on-one for the first. Stopped things from getting worse shortly after the second goal with a firm stop.
Didn’t make an attempt on the free-kick goal for Swindon’s third, but strangely didn’t seem to think any wall was needed. The ball did appear to glance off Abrefa, but it continued into the already wide-open side of the net.
Picked up two steady saves after the Swindon third, and punched away a free-kick delivered from the wing that looked
set for the back of the net.
Kelvin Abrefa: 5
Caught ball-watching for the first goal when Princewill Ehibhatiomhan ghosted past him in behind him Stickland. Tough to say it was fully Abrefa’s fault, but there have now been several goals conceded this season from plays through the seam between Stickland and Abrefa.
Booked for going over the ankle of a Swindon player close to his box. Jinked inside well in the late stages and found Evans in the box.
Jeriel Dorsett: 5
Used his body well to shield the ball and shepherd Long Kelvin’s brother out of play behind the goal. Helped Reading get things under control after a shaky opening half hour, and communicated well with the younger players.
Michael Stickland: 4
Really struggled in the first half. As has been the case in other games this season, Stickland could easily be caught out when he needs to concentrate on the offside line and distances with his other defenders. Wins a lot in the air, but often wants to make that kind of intervention, rather than holding his shape.
Almost gave Billy Bodin a chance to shoot and make it 3-0 when he limply headed a ball to the backline into the path of Ehibhatiomhan. Missed his header to allow Ehibhatiomhan in behind a moment later. Cleaned up nicely from a few balls sent in behind in the second half.
John Ryan: 6
Stepped up the line pretty well in the early stages – likes to set up in the wide spaces to try to take a cross on his left foot. Put some decent deliveries in that deserved more.
Given a job that was well beyond him by the coaching staff at set plays: marking Ollie Palmer. Unsurprisingly, that resulted in a goal for the striker (a full foot taller) for Wrexham’s second.
Decent speed, and likes to dribble. Earned a few fouls. Did really well early in the second half to control the ball under a significant amount of pressure and get it back to Stevens.
Does a good job of getting his body and the ball across a Swindon player a few times, forcing a foul or gaining ground.
Liam Fraser: 4
Swindon found it too easy to get around Fraser in the early stages, with dribbles and passes both going around him. A really unsure first half, flapping at balls and not doing enough to support Ryan with his marking job. Struggled to cover the centre-backs when one looked to step out.
Pulled out another impressive long strike in the 35th minute, knocking it in off the post and the back of the goalkeeper for an own goal of significant effort.
Very sloppy with his passing at the back, and made errors throughout, putting one ball out in his own third with an unpressured pass at the back.
Kamari Doyle: 6
Tried to bring the ball with him through some small gaps in the early stages, but ended up with it caught in his feet a little too much.
Provided Reading with a lot of their creativity in the second half, making runs through the middle, and using his two-footedness to help out on both sides of the pitch. Almost slipped Evans in behind shortly after the striker came on.
Tyler Sackey: 6
Did really well with his assist, passing the ball into the space that had just been vacated by the onrushing full-back, slipping Marriott through. Turns well, and protected the ball well for Reading a few times.
Jeremiah Okine-Peters: 5
Whipped in a nice cross across the top of the box, but unable to affect the game much otherwise. A little too easy to beat physically. Came off late with a limp.
Jack Marriott: 6
Forced a save out of the ‘keeper in the second minute but was then starved of service for a good portion of the first half. Had to come back and hunt quite deep for the ball.
Latched really well onto a seam pass from Sackey and smartly timed his dink past the goalkeeper to pick up his Reading goal on the slide. Always looks to shoot, and saw a lot of his touches in the Swindon box.
Joseph Barough: 5
Ran gamely without a whole lot of end result in the first half, but helped Reading to recover possession a few times by forcing the defence into early clearances.
Subs
Matt Ritchie: 6
Made his debut for Reading against the club he emerged with. Wanted the Reading press higher. Couldn’t get on the ball much but tidy enough when it did come to him.
Reece Evans: 6
Got into a good position and received early, but overcooked his pass. Came close to reaching a Doyle pass into the box, but couldn’t get there ahead of the ‘keeper.
Used his body well to hold off a Swindon defender when he received the ball in the box, but couldn’t whip it to one side or the other of the keeper.
Jacob Borgnis: 6
Raw but involved. Earned a chance to shoot in the box, but hooked his shot over the goal. Made an important tackle in Reading’s third.
Shay Spencer: 5
Good with his passing but a little weak in the challenge when needed.
Average: 5.3/10
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