After extra time

Reading scored a late extra time goal at Colchester United to record victory in the first round of the League Cup this evening. Chris Gunter was the unlikely goal scorer with 115 minutes on the clock after a goalless first 90 minutes. Oliver Norwood was the provider with an excellent ball that saw Gunter produce a quality finish to make it 1-0 to the Royals and prevent the lottery of a penalty shootout.

Reading should have been ahead in the first half after making a few decent chances but failed to take their chances. The second half of the normal ninety saw a very disappointing performance from both sides lacking in any real quality. The home side improved in the second period of extra time and might have scored themselves before Gunter's decisive winner with time running out.

Although Reading only scraped through against lower league opposition it will be good for the side to record their first win of the 2015/2016 season. Anton Ferdinand not only started for Reading but played the entire 120 minutes. Al Habsi recorded his first competitive start for the Royals and was only needed to make a couple of saves in a mixed performance. New loanee from Wigan, left back Andrew Taylor also made his first start for the club. However, there was some bad news for Reading with the promising Dominic Samuel leaving the pitch to what appeared to be a serious injury.