Reading FC 2-2 Plymouth Argyle: FLW reports as Royals and Pilgrims share spoils | OneFootball

A big game in the League One play-off race as Reading hosted Plymouth Argyle.

Reading FC were twice pegged back by Plymouth Argyle at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, with the play-off rivals drawing 2-2, and both failing to make up ground on the top six.

Two goals in the opening six minutes of the game set the tone for what would prove to be a thrilling affair. Reading took the lead after three minutes via a Randell Williams stunner, before Argyle swiftly hit back when Alex Mitchell turned in a Ronan Curtis corner.

It took Leam Richardson' side just over 10 minutes to regain the lead though. Lewis Wing's corner was thumped home by the head of Paudie O'Connor, after Luca Ashby-Hammond rushed off his line and failed to win the 50/50.

In the second half, the contest was a lot closer, but Argyle were able to get back on level terms again. Caleb Watts captialised on a scramble in the box which Reading failed to clear.

Both sides had chances to find the winning fifth goal, but neither could. The game ended 2-2, with the play-off chasing duo left on the cusp of the top six positions after sharing the spoils.

Reading FC 2-2 Plymouth Argyle

The Royals got off to the perfect start, as it took them just three minutes to open the scoring. Argyle were caught on the break, and Randell Williams curled in a stunning effort from the right flank.

The visitors wasted no time getting back into the contest and found themselves level three minutes later. A pinpoint corner from Curtis was bundled home by Mitchell, sending the 3,000-strong Green Army into raptures.

Straight down the other end, Plymouth skipper Joe Edwards was on hand to deny his opposite number, Ryan Nyambe, from making it 2-1 straight away by clearing his looping effort off the line, which maintained the hectic nature of the opening 10 minutes.

Just before the 20-minute mark, Reading restored their lead. Another corner led to a goal, as O'Connor headed home Wing's cross, after Ashby-Hammond was caught in no-mans land.

Five minutes later, another set piece almost yielded a goal. Argyle's Herbie Kane floated in an inviting free-kick, which was volleyed over by Mathias Ross at the far post.

Ashby-Hammond had to come up with two strong saves to stop the hosts extending their advantage. The Argyle stand-in keeper got down low to deny Kamari Doyle then Randell Williams.

After four minutes of stoppage time, referee Seb Stockbridge brought what was a hugely entertaining first half to a close. Both teams had created plenty of chances, but it was Reading who had just edged the contest, and deservedly led at the break.

The Royals continued to look dangerous on the counter in the second half. A quick break from an Argyle free-kick saw Paddy Lane flash a low ball across the face of goal, which narrowly evaded the reach of Randell Williams.

The end-to-end nature of the first half had vanished in the opening 20 minutes of the second, with Reading good value for their lead, and comfortably answering any questions their opponents asked of them.

That was until a scramble in the box wasn't properly dealt with by the home side, which allowed Watts to poke home from six yards out to level the scoring once again, and set up a grandstand finish to a tense game.

With 15 minutes to go, Reading once again hit Argyle on the break. Randell Williams darted down the right flank and cut back to Doyle inside the box, but his shot was excellently parried by Ashby-Hammond, before Lane smashed the follow-up wide.

Despite chances at both ends in the closing minutes of the match, neither side could find that all-important winning goal, meaning they both had to settle for a point as the play-off race heated up.

Reading sat eighth, just a point outside the top six, but know a win would've seen them break into the play-off places. As for Plymouth, they remained in tenth place, two points further back.

Reading FC player ratings

J. Pereira - 5

J. Dorsett - 5

D. Williams - 6

P. O'Connor - 7

R. Nyambe - 5 (A. Yiadom 76'(5))

L. Wing - 6

C. Savage - 6

P. Lane - 5 (M. Ritchie 76'(5))

R. Williams - 8 (K. Young 83'(5))

K. Doyle - 6

K. Ehibhatiomhan - 5 (W. Keane 76'(5))

Unused substitutes: H. Rhone, L. Fraser, B. Ward

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Plymouth Argyle player ratings

L. Ashby-Hammond - 6

J. MacKenzie - 5 (X. Amaechi 77'(5))

M. Ross - 6

A. Mitchell - 7

J. Edwards - 6

R. Curtis - 6

M. Boateng - 6

H. Kane - 5 (B. Wiredu 85'(5))

O. Dale - 5

C. Watts - 6 (J. Paterson 77'(5))

A. Pepple - 5

Unused substitutes: Z. Baker, O. Oseni, J. Mwaro, S. Campbell

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Match attendance

There were 16,277 fans present at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday afternoon, including a sold-out away end of 2,897 travelling Argyle supporters.

Leam Richardson believes Reading should've beaten Plymouth Argyle

Speaking to PA Media post-match, Reading boss Richardson said: “I thought it was a good game of football, very good for the neutral.

“In the first half, we were excellent in the spaces. Our performance level was very pleasing.

“But we’ve got to remind ourselves that we were playing one of the most in-form teams in the league at the minute.

“I thought that we gave a really good account of ourselves.

“I was disappointed with the goals that we conceded. We could have been better in those moments.

“But, overall, it was a game that we could have and should have won.

“I thought that we were in control in large parts of the pitch. We had a clear gameplan, and we were very clean with it.

“We just had to be better in those final moments, probably like everybody. We’re still working away at being that complete team.

“In fact, we’ll always be working away at that.

“You’ve also got to be very respectful of the team that you’re playing against. They’re an in-form team away from home as well.

“I’m just a bit disappointed at not getting the result that we probably deserved.”

Tom Cleverley sees resemblance between Plymouth Argyle and Reading after draw

Speaking to the press post-match, Argyle boss Tom Cleverley said: "I thought it was a good game of football first and foremost.

"We were facing a very good opponent today. I thought they were really clean with the ball.

"For us to get on top [in the] second half and look like the team in the ascendancy, when we knew we didn't have the luxury of making five changes today — I couldn't be prouder of the application of the boys.

"I thought it was a good game of football with two strong teams.

"It looks like we've got through today fine [with no new injuries]. We'll pick up the pieces from that tomorrow.

"I think Benarous and Hazard, I can say with some confidence, will be available [for Tuesday], Galloway will be touch and go, and Tolaj is on track to be part of the squad for the Huddersfield game [Saturday 21st].

"Recovering those four bodies will mean we have a little bit more depth, and maybe freshen it up in game a little bit more.

"We always like to try and play the game in the opposition half in those early stages, but I think they've got a fantastic coach who also wants the same thing.

"When you've got two teams really vying for territory, and both are very good at it, there's a bit of to and fro.

"We knew the opponent, and I see a lot of principles that we try and coach in Leam's team.

"I knew it was going to be a tough game. We're two teams in decent form. Since Leam's been here, they're fourth in the league, in the form table.