Reading keep up home form with win over Crawley

Posted Saturday, October 19, 2024 by PA

Reading notched their fifth win in six League One home matches this season with a 4-1 victory over struggling Crawley.

The hosts went ahead in the 20th minute through centre-back Amadou Mbengue only for Harry Forster to cancel it out 10 minutes later.

A superb long-distance effort from Lewis Wing restored the home side’s lead before the interval.

Reading secured victory with second-half goals from Charlie Savage and Sam Smith, each scoring for the fourth time this term.

Town opened brightly, with home keeper David Button forced to make a fine save from Will Swan, but Reading went ahead following a Wing free-kick.

Crawley failed to clear their area and Mbengue pounced with a low drive past keeper Jojo Wollacott.

Mbengue then blocked a close-range effort from Junior Quitirna on the line but Crawley equalised on the half-hour mark when Forster’s shot deflected in off Tyler Bindon.

The Royals responded swiftly, with Wing’s magnificent 35-yard screamer whistling past the helpless Wollacott five minutes before the break.

The visitors dominated the opening of the second half, with Button having to make decent saves to thwart Swan, Quitirna and Ronan Darcy.

But Crawley, now without a win in nine league games after a sixth successive defeat, were caught out again when Savage lobbed in from range in the 65th minute after Wollacott had denied Smith.

Smith then slotted in unmarked eight minutes later to complete the victory.