Match Report versus Reading City (27/12/21)

By Steve Williams

Reading City 1 Tadley Calleva 4

This was an excellent all round team display that pleased joint managers Ben Dillon and Joe Lawler. With Aaron Parfitt and Ousman Darboe in impressive midfield control, the away side dominated the first half against their 12th placed rivals. But we were unable to score despite plenty of shots on goal and dangerous corners. We hit the crossbar twice with powerful efforts from Ben Wright and Jordan Goater, the latter also forcing a full length save from home keeper Charlie York. Lucas Burt caught the eye with his willingness to take on defenders while Brett Denham complimented the exemplary hold up play of Ben Wright. Tadley's competent back four were rarely troubled with 'old favourite' Shaun Dallimore fitting in well.

Apparent disaster struck 5 minutes after the re-start when an uncharacteristic rash challenge from Aiden Harris led to a penalty converted by Reading skipper Jemel Johnson. But Tadley hit back within 2 minutes, Wright scoring with a powerful drive from Darboe's clever pass. In the 54th and 63rd minute, Brett Denham twice raced away from the home defence to convert confidently calculated passes from Wright and substitute Callum Cleary respectively. On 76 minutes, Denham chipped an angled pass to Cleary in the box and he crossed for the delighted Dallimore to scramble home at the far post to make it 4-1.

Another positive was the management team's well handled use of a talented bench. All five substitutes appearing with the performance level maintained - Jordan Goater protected from earning a second booking.

Tadley are next in action on Saturday 15th January away at St Panteleimon.

Tadley Calleva: Craig Atkinson, Aiden Harris (61' Andrew Charsley), Tom Walsh (C), Brad Neal, Shaun Dallimore, Ousman Darboe (61' Scott Kinge), Lucas Burt, Aaron Parfitt (78' Kieran Maylen), Brett Denham (80' Max Elward), Ben Wright, Jordan Goater (52' Callum Cleary).