In front of a wet Madejski Stadium attendance and a live YouTube audience Reading's academy continued it's excellent FA Youth Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory.
Captain Aaron Kuhl led to the team out in Berkshire and created the opening goal, his cross caught the Stanley defence off guard, allowing the English youngster Jack Stacey to find the net after a scramble. This was just before half-time and was the pay-off for much early pressure from the home side; Accrington had only just cleared a Stacey effort off the line.
In the second half Kuhl and Irish youth international Liam Kelly hit the crossbar, before Nana Owusu struck a 25-yard effort that was tipped onto the post, and then bounced in fortuitously off the keeper to make it 2-0. Given the attacking strength Reading had this can perhaps be under the tagline' You make your own luck'.
The game was wrapped up when the impressive Stacey assisted Harry Caldwell for a third, and a dominant display had ensured Reading U18s were through in much calmer circumstances than the penalty shootout victory over Crewe in the last round.
Assistant Academy boss David Dodds told the Reading FC website that the team stuck to the game plan, playing the ball freely across the pitch and hitting the strong Accrington defence, that had seen off West Ham earlier in the tournament, and also keeping a clean sheet.
The Quarters will be at home to Watford or Liverpool, who play on February 19th. Highlights should be on the Reading FC Youtube Channel later.