Woking vs Reading

Reading made a raft of substitutions around the hour mark, introducing the entire second XI — including new signings Jacob Brown (from Luton Town) and Udoka Godwin-Malife — and the change in personnel brought the breakthrough.

Captain Lewis Wing, one of those introduced, played a stunning long ball to Godwin-Malife on the right flank. Godwin-Malife cut the ball back to Tyler Sackey, who stroked a composed side-footed finish into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the box on 67 minutes.

It was Sackey's first goal of pre-season and came after a largely quiet first half from the Reading attack.

Reading doubled their lead with five minutes of normal time remaining. A free-kick into the box, won after a foul on Jeriel Dorsett, was converted at the far post by Jacob Brown — his first goal since arriving from Luton Town this summer.

• Will Jaaskelainen (Woking) — Made several excellent saves to keep the score goalless at half-time, including a double stop from Kyerewaa and a smart save from Patton. Could do little about either second-half goal.
• Tyler Sackey (Reading) — Took his goal with calm precision and was lively after coming on with the second wave of substitutes. His finish was the quality the game needed.
• Jacob Brown (Reading) — Scored his first goal in a Reading shirt just minutes after coming on. A simple tap-in at the back post, but getting off the mark early will build confidence ahead of the League One campaign.
• Lewis Wing (Reading) — The captain dictated play after his introduction, providing the incisive pass that unlocked the Woking defence for the opener.

The match was a typical pre-season friendly — competitive but with wholesale changes shaping the outcome. Reading dominated possession and chances in the first half without finding the finish, registering eight shots to Woking's three before the interval. Woking's best chance came via that O'Brien post-hit in the 20th minute.

Jaaskelainen's three first-half saves kept Woking in it, but Reading's numerical advantage in terms of squad depth told after the break. The Royals' second XI, introduced around the hour, created both goals within a 20-minute spell.

Attendance was 1,498 at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

For Reading, this was their third pre-season fixture and second win, building momentum ahead of the League One campaign. They travel to Newport County on Tuesday 28 July for their next friendly.

For Woking, this was their first match since the departure of Jermain Defoe as manager. Interim duo Craig Ross and Jake Hyde will be encouraged by a disciplined first-half display, but the lack of cutting edge in front of goal remains a concern. Woking's next pre-season fixture is at Eastbourne Borough on Saturday 1 August.

A controlled pre-season workout for Reading, who did what was needed without ever needing to hit top gear. The first XI created chances without converting; the second XI provided the clinical edge. Woking competed well for 65 minutes but ultimately lacked the quality to trouble a League One side's second string. The scoreline flattered neither side — it was a fair reflection of the gulf in squad depth.

Note: The provider data credits T. Sackey with both goals, but official club sources from both Reading and Woking, plus local press reports, confirm Jacob Brown scored the second goal in the 88th minute.