Matt Ward and Nico Valentine were on target but Town’s U21s were beaten 7-2 by Reading at Playford Road this afternoon.

Ward (pictured) netted in the 21st minute to level Femi Azeez’s opener for the Royals, who are coached by former Town forward Noel Hunt.

Azeez completed his hat-trick before they break, then David Nyarko made it 4-1 within a minute of the restart, before Valentine, who signed his first pro deal last week and was one of four academy scholars in the starting XI, made it 4-2.

However, Reading added three more by the end through Louie Holzman, Adrian Akande and an own goal.

The Blues were without regular skipper Edwin Agbaje, midfielder Cameron Humphreys, left-back Max Hudson, midfielder Alfie Cutbush and forwards Tawanda Chirewa and Harley Curtis with manager Kieran McKenna having said at his press conference that the U21s have one or two injuries but that some may travel with the first team to Bracknell on Monday.

Town: Williamson, Cousens, Stewart, Bradshaw, H Barbrook, Armin, Valentine, Siziba, Ward, Buabo, Nwabueze. Subs: F Barbrook, Haddoch, Davis, Oudnie-Morgan, Nkansa-Dwamena.

TWTD

Smithy added 18:43 - Nov 4 Azeez looks some player, believe he is very injury prone though. Tough on the kids, they weren't 5 goals worse, hit the crossbar twice and had 2 good shouts for a penalty turned down. Nwabueze looks very talented, but perhaps needs to be less selfish, while Buabo was always a handful.
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