Bristol Rovers 0-2 Reading

Last updated on 9 April 2024.From the section League One69

Bristol Rovers were booed off by their own fans as Reading eased their own relegation worries with a 2-0 win at the Memorial Stadium.

First-half goals from Sam Smith and Lewis Wing were enough to secure victory as Rovers stretched their record-breaking run of games without a goal to seven.

Smith put Reading on course for an ultimately comfortable victory in the eighth minute with his 13th goal of the season.

His close-range header beat Jed Ward's despairing dive after Tyler Bindon flicked on Amadou Mbengue's long throw.

Ward denied Harvey Knibbs with a fine save before Wing doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time when his 25-yard free-kick found the top left-hand corner.

Rovers boss Matt Taylor saw his team raise their game after the break as veteran striker Chris Martin and winger Scott Sinclair joined the fray.

Substitute Brandon Aguilera went close for the hosts but was denied by goalkeeper Joel Pereira as Reading banished any lingering relegation worries.

Report supplied by PA Media.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Bristol Rovers

Formation 4-2-3-1

31Ward
30HooleSubstituted forHuntat 70'minutesBooked at 90mins
17Taylor
2ConnollySubstituted forWilsonat 45'minutes
3Gordon
22ContehBooked at 90mins
8WardSubstituted forAguileraat 62'minutes
11Thomas
21Evans
23McCormickSubstituted forSinclairat 45'minutes
20BrownSubstituted forMartinat 45'minutes

Substitutes

5Wilson
7Sinclair
10Aguilera
14Rossiter
18Martin
33Cox
42Hunt

Reading

Formation 4-2-3-1

22Castro Pereira
17YiadomSubstituted forAbrefaat 80'minutes
27Mbengue
24Bindon
2Mola
29Wing
4ElliottSubstituted forCraigat 71'minutes
11Azeez
7Knibbs
15EhibhatiomhanSubstituted forMukairuat 72'minutes
10Smith

Substitutes

1Button
8Savage
12Mukairu
19Wareham
20Dorsett
30Abrefa
36Craig

Referee:: Will Finnie
Attendance:: 7,951

Match Stats

Home TeamBristol RoversAway TeamReading

Possession: Home53%; Away47%

Shots: Home8; Away18

Shots on Target: Home3; Away7

Corners: Home1; Away7

Fouls: Home13; Away14

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Bristol Rovers 0, Reading 2.
90'+6'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Bristol Rovers 0, Reading 2.

90'+5'
Post update
Attempt missed. Lewis Wing (Reading) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right from a direct free kick.
90'+4'
Post update
Foul by Antony Evans (Bristol Rovers).
90'+4'
Post update
Femi Azeez (Reading) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+4'
Post update
Attempt missed. Amadou Salif Mbengue (Reading) right footed shot from more than 35 yards misses to the left. Assisted by Lewis Wing.
90'+3'
Post update
Foul by Antony Evans (Bristol Rovers).
90'+3'
Post update
Lewis Wing (Reading) wins a free kick on the left wing.
90'+2'
Post update
Corner, Reading. Conceded by James Wilson.
90'+2'
Post update
Attempt missed. Tyler Bindon (Reading) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Lewis Wing with a cross following a corner.
90'+2'
Booking
Kamil Conteh (Bristol Rovers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'+1'
Post update
Corner, Reading. Conceded by Jed Ward.
90'+1'
Post update
Attempt saved. Femi Azeez (Reading) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Harvey Knibbs.
90'
Booking
Jack Hunt (Bristol Rovers) is shown the yellow card.
88'
Post update
Offside, Reading. Sam Smith is caught offside.
88'
Post update
Foul by Brandon Aguilera (Bristol Rovers).
88'
Post update
Harvey Knibbs (Reading) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
86'
Post update
Offside, Reading. Femi Azeez is caught offside.
85'
Post update
Corner, Reading. Conceded by Connor Taylor.
83'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Femi Azeez (Reading) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

.view-comments-button-wrapped-component {display: block !important;} .view-comments-button-wrapper {display: none !important;}

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

69 comments

Comment posted by Owen Goal, at 02:59 10 Apr
Good cause for Royals celebrations.

Yes, I know it's still a bit early to celebrate, but good to get some practice in for the big day when Dai Jongge finally leaves and/or Reading finish the season tucked up safely away from the relegation zone.

This has been some rollercoaster. With the current team playing vastly better than in the first half of the season.

Well done Selles and the lads ! 👍
Reply posted by Winston Smith, at 10:34 10 Apr
Winston Smith replied:
I'm not celebrating until the season is actually over. I don't trust the EFL.

An interesting difference between the Champ & League 1 is that the Champ clubs must file their accounts with the EFL by 1st March. In League 1 it's the Cos House deadline - in our case 30th June. Wouldn't be surprised to start 2024-25 season on -6 points once the EFL get a look at 2022-23's accounts, though.
Comment posted by sandiego, at 23:00 9 Apr
Well done Reading. An incredible run and currently playing at a level that belies their league position. Good luck.
Comment posted by julian human, at 22:40 9 Apr
Looks like the Royals are staying up. What a mature performance. Let’s just complete the buy out now and plan to move onwards and upwards. Urrzzz
Comment posted by URZ, at 00:47 10 Apr
Great win. Passion at the end from Selles looked like it had been building for some time. This team cares more than any Reading team for ages. Playoffs next season. UUUURRRZZZ
Comment posted by Ricardo Ron, at 00:24 10 Apr
That was a comfortable win and good performance. Bristol Rovers have beaten some decent sides at home this season. We should have been 3 or 4 nil up at half time. Bristol Rovers were a bit trickier second half but kept them out!

Would be good to end the season with positive momentum by getting 7 points from the last 3 games.
Comment posted by Super Royal, at 22:47 9 Apr
Brilliant result for Reading! That is exactly what the doctor has ordered. Let's go on to win the remaining three games and finish the season on a high. Come on URZZZ!!!!
Comment posted by WAYLON MERCY, at 00:12 10 Apr
Finally, Waylon returned to the Memorial.
Ain't it something people, both sets of fans were delirious to meet and greet Waylon and shake one's hand. Where else would both sets of fans simultaneously chant "we know what one means, we know what one means, Waylon Mercy, we know what one means
Commendable performance from one's Royals. Land ahoy people
Ya know what I mean !
Comment posted by MG, at 22:39 9 Apr
Reading were decent, but no idea what the first half selection and tactics were from Taylor. Absolutely clueless, especially at home, and no wonder we’re not scoring. It’s a good job we’re already safe.

I wouldn’t give him the summer transfer budget to play with, but can we afford to pay off another manager so soon?
Reply posted by jon, at 22:51 9 Apr
jon replied:
He ruined Rotherham in the time he was there and it looks like he doing the same to you.
Sorry you got landed with him but I couldn’t wait for us to get shot. Send him back to Exeter, it’s the only place that likes him!!!
Comment posted by WAYLON MERCY, at 00:20 10 Apr
Waylon thanks the nice lady who permitted one to park the NSX behind the vast new grandstand, she did advise Waylon can park wherever he wants. The fine people of Bristol opening their arms to residents of the Royal County.
Shame MC Mikee Freedom didn't rap for us at half time.
A word and a message with a lot of emotion, With total dedication and a lot of devotion.
Ya know what I mean !
Reply posted by Colin Daniel 3rd May 2014, at 08:51 10 Apr
Colin Daniel 3rd May 2014 replied:
Did you enjoy the horse box bar 🤣
Ya Know what I mean !
Comment posted by ARHReading, at 04:06 10 Apr
A very commendable result and with 3 matches to go a lot of the hard work has been done. Looking back what a shame it is that points were lost in the later stages of matches earlier in the season.
Comment posted by DukeofSomerset, at 07:01 10 Apr
The Gas' players are already on the beach, Weston-Super-Mare's beach that is.
Comment posted by Jimpanzee, at 23:55 9 Apr
Come on URZZ. A good three points and another 2+ for the GD just in case the EFL come knocking for another deduction (which shouldn’t happen but, hey, who knows)
Comment posted by Stepsand, at 22:48 9 Apr
BR, do yourself a favour and get rid of MT in the close season, he’s a Sunday League manager at best. UTM.
Reply posted by jon, at 22:53 9 Apr
jon replied:
Ay, ruined the millers!!!
Comment posted by 2015s Slayer, at 00:00 10 Apr
Amateur night at the big top LOL!
Comment posted by Colin Daniel 3rd May 2014, at 08:47 10 Apr
Massive crowd , you really need that bigger stadium …..Mind the Gap 🐴🥊
Reply posted by Steve Harper, at 11:45 10 Apr
Steve Harper replied:
You forget the size of the crowds at A*h*on G**e when you were a 3rd and 4th division club !
Comment posted by basil, at 23:20 9 Apr
Taxi for taylor,he isn’t up to the job !
Comment posted by 4ever in our shadow , at 21:48 10 Apr
Would you like to borrow a goal or two 🤣🤣
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68719947
Mind The Gap
UTC
🔴⚪️🔴⚪️🔴
Reply posted by 4ever in our shadow , at 21:50 10 Apr
4ever in our shadow replied:
UTC
🔴⚪️🔴⚪️🔴⚪️🔴
Comment posted by Robert , at 23:48 9 Apr
Headmaster get rid
Comment posted by Robert , at 23:44 9 Apr
Pe teacher get rid sorry
Comment posted by Buhll6lne, at 11:24 10 Apr
How did Bristol Rovers ever manage to beat Pompey around Xmas time? (considering their poor form since then) - one of only 4 teams promotion-bound Pompey have lost to.

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Portsmouth	42	26	12	4	71	36	35	90
2	Derby	42	25	7	10	72	37	35	82

3	Bolton	42	24	9	9	78	45	33	81
4	Peterborough	40	22	8	10	77	50	27	74
5	Barnsley	42	21	11	10	75	55	20	74
6	Oxford Utd	42	20	10	12	71	53	18	70

7	Lincoln City	42	18	14	10	61	35	26	68
8	Blackpool	43	19	10	14	59	43	16	67
9	Stevenage	43	18	13	12	53	42	11	67
10	Leyton Orient	43	17	11	15	50	50	0	62
11	Northampton	43	17	8	18	55	61	-6	59
12	Exeter	43	15	10	18	39	56	-17	55
13	Wigan	43	17	10	16	57	54	3	53
14	Charlton	43	11	18	14	62	62	0	51
15	Wycombe	40	13	12	15	51	52	-1	51
16	Bristol Rovers	42	14	9	19	48	63	-15	51
17	Reading	43	15	10	18	61	63	-2	49
18	Shrewsbury	42	13	7	22	31	59	-28	46
19	Cambridge	41	12	9	20	37	57	-20	45
20	Port Vale	41	10	10	21	38	63	-25	40

21	Burton	42	10	10	22	33	59	-26	40
22	Cheltenham	41	10	8	23	34	57	-23	38
23	Fleetwood	42	7	13	22	42	68	-26	34
24	Carlisle	43	7	9	27	40	75	-35	30

Line-ups

Bristol Rovers

Substitutes

Reading

Substitutes

Match Stats

Live Text

Comments

Join the conversation

Comment posted by Owen Goal, at 02:59 10 AprOwen Goal

Reply posted by Winston Smith, at 10:34 10 AprWinston Smith

Comment posted by sandiego, at 23:00 9 Aprsandiego

Comment posted by julian human, at 22:40 9 Aprjulian human

Comment posted by URZ, at 00:47 10 AprURZ

Comment posted by Ricardo Ron, at 00:24 10 AprRicardo Ron

Comment posted by Super Royal, at 22:47 9 AprSuper Royal

Comment posted by WAYLON MERCY, at 00:12 10 AprWAYLON MERCY

Comment posted by MG, at 22:39 9 AprMG

Reply posted by jon, at 22:51 9 Aprjon

Comment posted by WAYLON MERCY, at 00:20 10 AprWAYLON MERCY

Reply posted by Colin Daniel 3rd May 2014, at 08:51 10 AprColin Daniel 3rd May 2014

Comment posted by ARHReading, at 04:06 10 AprARHReading

Comment posted by DukeofSomerset, at 07:01 10 AprDukeofSomerset

Comment posted by Jimpanzee, at 23:55 9 AprJimpanzee

Comment posted by Stepsand, at 22:48 9 AprStepsand

Reply posted by jon, at 22:53 9 Aprjon

Comment posted by 2015s Slayer, at 00:00 10 Apr2015s Slayer

Comment posted by Colin Daniel 3rd May 2014, at 08:47 10 AprColin Daniel 3rd May 2014

Reply posted by Steve Harper, at 11:45 10 AprSteve Harper

Comment posted by basil, at 23:20 9 Aprbasil

Comment posted by 4ever in our shadow , at 21:48 10 Apr4ever in our shadow

Reply posted by 4ever in our shadow , at 21:50 10 Apr4ever in our shadow

Comment posted by Robert , at 23:48 9 AprRobert

Comment posted by Robert , at 23:44 9 AprRobert

Comment posted by Buhll6lne, at 11:24 10 AprBuhll6lne

Scores, Results & Fixtures

Tuesday 9th April 2024

As It Stood

Elsewhere on the BBC

'I hated his comedy'

How to fool the opposition effectively in sport

Is cooking food in an air fryer 'healthier'?

How to follow your Premier League team on the BBC

Today's football gossip

Phil McNulty

How to get into football

Comment posted by Owen Goal, at 02:59 10 Apr

Reply posted by Winston Smith, at 10:34 10 Apr

Comment posted by sandiego, at 23:00 9 Apr

Comment posted by julian human, at 22:40 9 Apr

Comment posted by URZ, at 00:47 10 Apr

Comment posted by Ricardo Ron, at 00:24 10 Apr

Comment posted by Super Royal, at 22:47 9 Apr

Comment posted by WAYLON MERCY, at 00:12 10 Apr

Comment posted by MG, at 22:39 9 Apr

Reply posted by jon, at 22:51 9 Apr

Comment posted by WAYLON MERCY, at 00:20 10 Apr

Reply posted by Colin Daniel 3rd May 2014, at 08:51 10 Apr

Comment posted by ARHReading, at 04:06 10 Apr

Comment posted by DukeofSomerset, at 07:01 10 Apr

Comment posted by Jimpanzee, at 23:55 9 Apr

Comment posted by Stepsand, at 22:48 9 Apr

Reply posted by jon, at 22:53 9 Apr

Comment posted by 2015s Slayer, at 00:00 10 Apr

Comment posted by Colin Daniel 3rd May 2014, at 08:47 10 Apr

Reply posted by Steve Harper, at 11:45 10 Apr

Comment posted by basil, at 23:20 9 Apr

Comment posted by 4ever in our shadow , at 21:48 10 Apr

Reply posted by 4ever in our shadow , at 21:50 10 Apr

Comment posted by Robert , at 23:48 9 Apr

Comment posted by Robert , at 23:44 9 Apr

Comment posted by Buhll6lne, at 11:24 10 Apr