When : Tuesday 9th August 2022. 8pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
And so the massed Reading fan will huddle together in the expanse of a 24k seater stadium trying to keep cool and calm and being entertained by another scintillating display of fast paced action packed dynamic football at the SCL.
But enough of Stevenage it's Reading that most fans in attendance will want to win (at least I think that’s right but given it’s the 1st round of the league cup maybe not
). Most of the “faithful” will of course be “watching” this League Cup tie on radio and internet and even perhaps by way of this thread.Though Stevenage are from the 4th division (that’s league 2 in the current fancy parley) they will not be easy to beat.
Stevenage have started their season with 2 wins v Tranmere and Stockport (the Stockport win on Saturday being achieved with 2 goals in the last 7 minutes) and they will certainly arrive at the SCL with nothing to fear and, especially with Steve Evans as manager, I would expect them to take the game to what will be a Reading team that contains a large mix of youngsters and the few “first teamers” fit enough to be risked.
Luke Norris and Jamie Reid will form the main striking threat for the ‘Boro while Jordan Roberts and Jake Reeves seem to be fairly deadly from midfield. In addition former Royal Jake Taylor now plies his trade for Stevenage after spending 5 years at Exeter. He is now 30 years old and therefore one of the more experienced players at the club.
Reading’s injury problems are already nearing double figures and this was added to during the Cardiff game with Ovie Ejaria reporting feeling a twinge to his hamstring. It is hoped his subsequent substitution was made in good time to alleviate his name being added to the list but with things they way they have been with injuries for the last couple of seasons we’ll probably find he’ll be out for several days/weeks/months/seasons anyway. Consequently I think the only things we can be sure of is that Dean Bouzanis will start in goal and that numerous Academy players will make up many of the outfield positions.
Finally, if the game is all square after 90 minutes I believe it’s straight to penalties rather than everyone having to endure another 30 minutes.
Referee
First ever Reading game for Carl Brook
Historically
Just cup games between the sides so far. Four games in total, all in the FA Cup. Stevenage beat Reading at the Mad Stad in 2012 a year after Reading beat them at the Lamex. Then there was an extra dull 0-0 in Stevenage in 2018 followed by a 3-0 home win in the replay.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and go
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use a RoyalTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area (although as this is a cup game it may well be live on the 'net as well))
