Football Review | Reading 2 - 1 AFC Wimbledon

AFC Wimbledon exit the Carabao Cup at the second round stage

Reading overcame their recent league struggles to reach the third round with a narrow home victory.

Author | John M

Stadium | Select Car Leasing Stadium

A long-range strike from Liam Fraser gave Reading the lead midway through the first half, only for Omar Bugiel to level the scores shortly afterwards.

The winner came in the 70th minute from home substitute Mamadi Camara, giving the Royals a much-needed boost after a winless start to their League One campaign, leaving them 23rd in the table.

Wimbledon, who had beaten Reading 2-1 at the SCL Stadium in the league just 10 days earlier, applied most of the early pressure, but Reading went ahead in the 24th minute. Fraser unleashed a 30-yard effort that Dons goalkeeper Joe McDonnell could only watch fly into the net.

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The lead lasted just two minutes, however, as the unmarked Bugiel nodded home at the far post from a Jake Reeves corner.

Reading goalkeeper Jack Stevens made crucial stops from Junior Nkeng, twice, and Riley Harbottle to keep the tie level, while McDonnell did well to tip over a looping header from Royals substitute Mark O’Mahony.

With 20 minutes remaining, a well-worked move saw Andre Garcia deliver a low, hard cross from the left for Camara to slot home from close range and secure Reading’s place in the next round.

Frustrated to be knocked out, but a good performance | The view of an AFC Wimbledon fan

Kris Stuart, a Wimbledon fan, said: “There was not much between the sides. The real frustration is the second goal, which proved decisive. We were too easily played through and that is something the manager will need to look at. For their first goal, they could have closed down better, but he has found the top corner. However, it was still an ok performance. This still has the makings of a positive season for us.”