An extremely youthful Royals reserve team were narrowly edged out 1-0 by Exeter City this evening at Farnborough FC.
Eamonn Dolan again elected to give vital experience to the shining stars of his academy set-up, and a back four comprised of first year scholars were given the unenviable task of marking experienced marksmen Stuart Fleetwood and Craig McAlister.
Despite a first half in which the Grecians enjoyed the better possession and took the lead, Reading bounced back admirably in the second period - creating a number of openings and hitting the bar after brilliant play from substitute James Rowe.
Life wasn't made easy for the home side as Jacob Walcott and Carl McHugh left the field with injuries before the start of the second half, whilst centre back Angus McDonald was substituted after feeling unwell with half an hour remaining.
"Exeter were the best team in the first half and caused us problems, they were very experienced and that will be a great learning curve for our young boys," said Dolan.
"The second half was much more open and we created plenty of chances, we are disappointed to lose but there were plenty of positives and it will do the guys a world of good to come up against the likes of Fleetwood and McAlister."
Royals XI
1 - Simon Locke
2 - Nicholas Arnold
3 - Carl McHugh (Isaac 30)
4 - Oliver Kelly
5 - Michael Hector
6 - Angus Macdonald (Stockinger 60)
7 - Abdulai Bell-Baggie
8 - Scott Davies
9 - Andrew White
10 - Jake Taylor
11 - Jacob Walcott (Rowe HT)
Subs
12 - James Rowe
13 - Grant Smith
14 - Kynan Isaac
15 - Alex Stockinger
16 - John Goddard
