Player ratings: Reading 5 Swindon Town 0

Harvey Knibbs scored a hat-trick to give the Royals a convincing lead before Harlee Dean and Paul Mukairu headed home during second-half stoppage time.

So, how did the team fare as individuals at the Select Car Leasing Stadium?

GK: Lewis Ward – 6

Despite letting in five goals, I felt this was a much better night for Ward than it had been against Arsenal Under-21s. Reading had a stranglehold on the game from the off and created a huge number of chances. In all, they had 24 shots and Ward did well to keep the score as low as it was.

RCB: Harrison Minturn – 6

Minturn made a good case for more playing time in this game. There were one or two moments when he was caught out, but generally, he read the game well and stepped forward to break up play and get Swindon on the attack to good effect.

CB: Sonny Hart – 5

It speaks volumes that Hart was one of the more experienced players by the end of the match. It was a tough evening for him against a very good Reading forward line and he was not able to show some of the calmness that we have seen from him before.

LCB: Finn Adams – 5

Up against Reading’s most impressive player, Caylan Vickers, Adams had a challenging first senior start. He was tested early and made a few mistakes, but that did not seem as though it affected him as he became calmer in his decision-making as the game went on.

Liam Kinsella made eight tackles during the game (Image: Callum Knowles)

RWB: Brooklyn Genesini – 4

Genesini probably had the most disappointing evening of anyone. As one of the senior players, he needed to look like he belonged, but Knibbs gave him a rough ride. He was frequently outmuscled and caught out, giving away the penalty for a rash challenge just about summed up his evening.

CM: Anton Dworzak – 7

From the most disappointing performance to the most pleasing, it was great to see Dworzak back and playing with confidence. He started the game slowly as the Reading onslaught overwhelmed Town, but as the game went on, he grew in stature. His passing was always slick, and he kept picking the right option. Hopefully, he can get closer to the first team picture soon.

CM: Liam Kinsella – 7

Next to the slick Dworzak was the midfield enforcer. With all the young players, Town needed someone who could stick a foot in and Kinsella provided that. His ability to put in strong sliding challenges but still win the ball cleanly is truly remarkable. He might have given Michael Flynn a few things to think about.

LWB: Tariq Uwakwe – 5

In the Arsenal Under-21s match, Uwakwe really stamped his authority on the left wing-back role. He has since begun to struggle and that did not change against Reading as he had no real impact on proceedings. Who will play on the left against Newport County is anyone’s guess.

CAM: George McEachran – 6

McEachran was slowest to touch his nose at training yesterday and so was the unlucky one who had to fill the quota last night. A bit like in the Bradford game, he was in and out of the game, but he was the only player who held their composure during the first half and managed to create some attacks.

Harry Gray almost set-up Miles Obodo (Image: Callum Knowles)

ST: Tyrese Shade – 5

Playing up front in this game was a difficult gig as the ball was very rarely anywhere near the Reading half. Shade created the most dangerous moment of the game from a Swindon perspective when he curled a shot over the bar. To have done much more, Shade would have had to have done very well.

ST: Miles Obodo – 6

Another pleasing performance from a young player. Obodo is probably the biggest player to come out of the Town academy since Aaron Oakley and at 16 he already knows how to use his size. He was feeding off scraps again, but he showed off some very good hold-up play and tireless running. It would be nice to be able to see him in a game in which he gets a chance to show his ability within 30 yards of the opposition goal.

Subs:

George Alston – 5

This was a tidy performance from Alston. His passing was generally sound, but much like everyone else, it was not the perfect game to showcase his ability.

Harry Gray – 5

Gray came on and played out of position on the wing. He did well to nearly set up Obodo, to create any form of chance was impressive with how penned in Town often were.

Fletcher Hubbard – N/A

Liam Hutt – N/A

Josh Keyes – N/A