Jack Stevens: 4
Let in a howler for 2-2, didn’t look confident otherwise either, spilling a shot in extra-time. Stevens shouldn’t be scapegoated for this defeat – most other players weren’t good enough either – but strictly speaking the game did hinge on one particularly poor error at a critical time.
Andy Yiadom: 5
He got around an hour, from the start, looking fine in the first half but more exposed in the second and was replaced by Kelvin Abrefa.
Michael Stickland and Jeriel Dorsett: 4
I’m lumping Reading’s two centre-backs together because I was similarly unimpressed
with both. While they had an easy enough time in the first half against a tame Carlisle United side, they didn’t look that commanding defensively when the game went against Reading. Distribution wasn’t positive enough either, with both centre-backs needing to move it quicker and more progressively.
Matty Jacob: 4
Had a pretty good first half, getting forward well in support of Lane, actually often being the primary source of width as the left-winger frequently came central. Should have done more in the final third though. Not good enough defensively as the game progressed, caught out of position in the build-up to the winner.
Lewis Wing: 5
Lovely first-half finish to open the scoring, slamming the ball home from inside the area after it had dropped loose, following his corner. Showed some quality later on in the game, with some decent long-range shots, but he just didn’t control the game well enough when Reading needed that authority in the middle of the park.
Charlie Savage: 4
Got forward well in the first half, supporting Reading’s attacks down the left, but like his midfield partner Wing, he didn’t do enough to help influence the game.
Daniel Kyerewaa: 5
Lots of endeavour, not enough cutting edge. He had less space to work in down the right when Reading were attempting to unlock Carlisle in the first half, but when the game opened up in the second at 2-0, allowing him countering opportunities, he didn’t capitalise. Withdrawn for Mamadi Camara with nine minutes of normal time to play.
Kamari Doyle: 6
Reading’s most consistently lively player, showing some real class in the middle at times. Lovely cross in for Mark O’Mahony to double Reading’s lead in the second half. Withdrawn for Basil Tuma in extra time, presumably for fitness reasons.
Paddy Lane: 6
An important player in the best part of Reading’s performance today: the threat down the left in the first half. Had joy both out wide and centrally, as he often drifted centrally in build-up, and should have had an assist when his excellent cross found Ehibhatiomhan, only for the header to be well saved. Quieter in the second half and withdrawn for O’Mahony after 66 minutes.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 6
A mixed but encouraging afternoon for Long Kelvin, who started up top today but looked better when moving to the left wing in the second half.
Fired a Kyerewaa cross over the bar in the first half, and then forced an excellent one-handed stop out of the keeper with a header. Drilled another effort towards the bottom corner in the second half – low and powerful – but it was saved again. Taken off for Andre Garcia in the 81st minute.
Subs
Kelvin Abrefa: 5
Got half an hour of normal time and the same in normal time, looking OK. Not a lot jumps out about him, to be honest, with none of the goals his fault – the equaliser coming from near him but definitely being on Stevens to save.
Mark O’Mahony: 6
Doubled his tally with a nicely taken goal in the second half, shortly after being introduced for Lane. Collecting Doyle’s cross, he smartly shot down into the ground, and up, past the keeper. Didn’t bring a lot else to the attack, so could be a 5/10, but I’ll round him up for that well taken finish.
Mamadi Camara: 5
Didn’t offer enough in the 40 or so minutes he had on the pitch.
Andre Garcia: 6
Looked bright and confident on the left wing after his return from injury. If he can keep building his fitness, he’ll be in the first team before too long.
Basil Tuma: N/A
Given about 10 minutes of extra time out wide, so not enough time for a rating.
Average: 5/10
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