Southend United 1-0 Reading U21s: Player Ratings

George Legg – 6

Could do very little about the Southend opener but dealt well with anything else thrown his way by the hosts.

Tom Holmes – 5

Coped well with both Theo Robinson and Amadou Ba but could have perhaps done better for the opener.

Andre Burley – 6

The under-18 made the step up well, dealing comfortably with the threat of Marc-Antoine Fortune throughout the game.

Gabriel Osho – 7

Assertive at the back and looked a cut above the rest of the backline. A very strong performance from the captain.

Ramarni Medford-Smith – 6

Nearly registered an assist when his cross was spilt into the path of Josh Barrett. Did well to drive play forward down the left hand side and covered his defensive duties well.

Andy Rinomhota – 6

Forced off through injury the other side of half time. Was given little time and space by the Southend midfield but kept play ticking over nicely. Cut a composed figure in the centre of the park.

Jake Sheppard – 6

Saw limited action throughout the game with most of the play coming down Reading’s left. Had one shot well saved by Mark Oxley in the Southend goal.

Ryan East – 7

At the heart of all Reading’s attacking moves. Looked assured in possession and held the ball up well in the midfield. Impressive performance all-round.

Pelle Clement – 6

As the most senior player featuring for the under 21s at Roots Hall, the Dutchman had a fairly underwhelming game and cut a frustrated figure out wide for The Royals.

Ben House – 5

Made little impact on the game and was dealt with well by the Southend back line. Brought off for Josh Barrett around the hour mark.

Sam Smith – 6

The former Manchester United man endured a quiet afternoon, firing his only real chance of note over the bar just after half time.

Substitutes

Tyler Frost – 6

Showed some moments of promise after coming on for Andy Rinomhota in the second half, but enjoyed little involvement in the action for large chunks of the second 45.

Josh Barrett – 5

Guilty of missing Reading’s best chance of the game, firing wide from a few yards out after Medford-Smith’s cross was fumbled.