We've brought you a couple of match reports from the Academy's adventures this summer but up till now they've had a little bit of help from players with senior experience. Last night that all changed as Jaap Stam included the likes of Jack Stacey & Tariqe Fosu in his senior side for the 2-1 win at Swindon.
That meant it was very much an inexperienced outfit that travelled to North East London to take on Isthmian Premier League side Enfield Town (the seventh tier these days).
The teams... pic.twitter.com/RHGB2MXKgT
— The Town (@ETFCOfficial) July 19, 2016
Despite the gap in experience it was Reading who ran out comfortable winners, taking a 4-0 victory on the night. The opener came from a Reading Academy product albeit one who came through the ranks a decade ago, as Curtis Ujah, now 27 and skippering Enfield, put the ball into his own net to give his old team the lead on 65 minutes. Reading went two-nil up through Harry Cardwell before two goals in the final minute from unnamed players sealed the win.
As mentioned, this was very much an inexperienced and youthful side and there's not a name in the lineup last night besides Cardwell that I'd anticipate getting more than perhaps a substitute appearance for the senior side this season. With that being said, getting into a winning habit ahead of the Premier League U21 season can only be a good thing and it's a nice bounce-back after the 4-1 thrashing at Lincoln this past weekend.
The Academy now finish their scheduled pre-season games at Basingstoke on Saturday.