• Support Wokingham Today
  • Get the print edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Wokingham.Today
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • All
    • Arborfield
    • Barkham
    • Beech Hill
    • Binfield
    • Bracknell
    • Charvil
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
    • Emmbrook
    • Finchampstead
    • Grazeley
    • Henley
    • Hurst
    • Lower Earley
    • Norreys
    • Reading
    • Remenham
    • Riseley
    • Shinfield
    • Sindlesham
    • Sonning
    • Spencers Wood
    • Swallowfield
    • Three Mile Cross
    • Twyford
    • Wargrave
    • Winnersh
    • Wokingham
    • Wokingham Without
    • Woodley
    • Woosehill
    • Yateley
    Dalia's CoppaFeel Curry Night at The Tamarind Tree restaurant was another delicious success for the cancer charity fundraiser. Picture: Emma Merchant

    CoppaFeel Curry Night in Wokingham a joyful fundraiser

    Claire Revie, founder of SHARE Wokingham, helps to create the new brew.

    Special brew to benefit SHARE

    Entries are open for this year's event.

    Enter now for Wokingham Bikeathon

    Sonning bridge. Pic: Google.

    Fine for Sonning weight breach

    This year's event is being held on Saturday, June 14.

    Carnival fun is coming to Woodley

    The Forest School U15s football team

    The Forest School U15s make history with another National Elite Cup victory

    Brecon Road Food and Wine, Woodley Picture: Google Maps

    Woodley store has licence revoked

    Reading Today; 18th March 2023;  Thames Water HQ - Extinction Rebellion protest

    Thames Water issued £123M Ofwat fine–the biggest ever–over environmental breaches

    A banking hub in Yorkshire. Pic: Murray Scott/Link.

    Banking hub plans for village

  • SPORT
    • All
    • Binfield FC
    • Reading FC
    The Forest School U15s football team

    The Forest School U15s make history with another National Elite Cup victory

    Sam Green and Megan Bartlett, who both took part in the Wokingham half marathon earlier this year. Pic: Harry McBain.

    Sam and Megan take Sumas supporters’ awards

    Reading FC

    Former Reading FC player announces shock international retirement

    Reading FC - Charlie Savage and Harvey Knibbs Picture: Luke Adams

    Reading FC star player linked with transfer to Wrexham

    Sam Hutchinson Picture: Luke Adams

    Former Reading FC reflects on heart attack suffered during match

    FC Bracknell

    FC Bracknell U10 Lions score dramatic winner to win the cup for second season in a row

    Ruben Selles

    Former Reading FC manager Ruben Selles linked with League One job

    Reading FC Picture: Luke Adams

    Reading fans – you can finally dare to dream again

    BAPCO beat Burghfield to take the title. Pic: Andrew Batt

    Four in a row for BAPCO

  • READING FC
  • COMMUNITY
    Dalia's CoppaFeel Curry Night at The Tamarind Tree restaurant was another delicious success for the cancer charity fundraiser. Picture: Emma Merchant

    CoppaFeel Curry Night in Wokingham a joyful fundraiser

    Claire Revie, founder of SHARE Wokingham, helps to create the new brew.

    Special brew to benefit SHARE

    Entries are open for this year's event.

    Enter now for Wokingham Bikeathon

    Sonning bridge. Pic: Google.

    Fine for Sonning weight breach

    This year's event is being held on Saturday, June 14.

    Carnival fun is coming to Woodley

    A grant from The National Lottery Fund will help volunteers at The Eco Skills Learning Centre in Arborfield to create more bird box kits for their children's workshops. PIcture: Spencers Wood Repair Cafe

    Grant means more homes – for the birds

    A banking hub in Yorkshire. Pic: Murray Scott/Link.

    Banking hub plans for village

    Retrospective plans have been refused. Pic: WBC.

    Vending machine plans refused

    Sam Green and Megan Bartlett, who both took part in the Wokingham half marathon earlier this year. Pic: Harry McBain.

    Sam and Megan take Sumas supporters’ awards

  • LIFESTYLE
    • All
    • Food
    • Health
    • Obituaries
    • People
    Entries are open for this year's event.

    Enter now for Wokingham Bikeathon

    A government push for more radiotherapy machines has been welcomed by ministers as the Royal Berkshire Hospital is among the services to benefit from them.

    Royal Berks one of 28 Trusts to see new radiotherapy machine investment

    A banking hub in Yorkshire. Pic: Murray Scott/Link.

    Banking hub plans for village

    Retrospective plans have been refused. Pic: WBC.

    Vending machine plans refused

    Mind in Berkshire, which provides support, advice, and signposting for mental health services in Berkshire, was commissioned to examine Black people's access to necessary services, as part of a wider drive from the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to address inequalities in local services. Picture: PixaBay

    Mind in Berkshire report finds serious deficits in mental health provisions for Black people

    AB Walker

    VAUGHAN, David Raymond

    The Hope & Anchor. Pic: Rightmove.

    Historic town pub listed for sale

    Woodley Repair Cafe operates on the first Sunday of the month, at Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road, between 2pm and 4pm. Picture: Emma Merchant

    Get things fixed in Woodley

    Photography by: Summers Photography. Flowers by: Fletchers Flowers. Set up by: Crystal Hire.

    Get married and win a wedding at Dinton

  • WHAT’S ON
    • All
    • Arts
    • Entertainment

    REVIEW: “Three Hens In A Boat” at The Watermill Theatre

    Siren RG1

    Siren RG1 to mark first anniversary with weekender celebration

    Wellington Farm Shop

    Wellington Farm Shop celebrates its 20th anniversary

    Two concerts in one day from Reading's APO. Picture: Pexels via Pixabay

    An orchestral event in Wokingham promises evening of drama and contrast

    Eva Wong Nava will be at Trinity Hall Church on Monday from 4pm until 5pm. Picture: Eva Wong Nava

    Young writers can meet children’s author Eva Wong Nava

    Crafters can join a project  to decorate Twyford village centre with bunting Picture: Hello I'm Nik on Unsplash

    Get out the bunting for VE Day at Wokingham’s May Fayre

    Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra's performance of American music promises to be a fun and high energy evening. Picture: CSO

    Discounted tickets available for summer concert in Wokingham

    The Wokingham Lions Club has announced its new season of  #WOKY Comedy Nights at Wokingham Theatre, will begin on Friday, October 4. Picture: Wokingham Lions Club

    Enjoy the last of this season’s #Woky Comedy Night

    A concert at Wokingham Baptist Church will celebrate Ukrainian culture and support charity. Picture: Olena Romanovska

    Wokingham to host a concert of Ukrainian music and dancing

  • JOBS
  • ADVERTISE
  • CONTACT
No Result
View All Result
Wokingham.Today
No Result
View All Result
Home Featured

Reading 2-3 Birmingham City: Royals given the blues by Birmingham

by Andy Preston
December 7, 2019
in Featured, Sport
Pictures by Steve Smyth.

Pictures by Steve Smyth.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A stunning second half free kick from Jeremie Bela saw Birmingham City leave the Madejski Stadium with all three points as they put three past the Royals.

Birmingham went ahead through a fortuitous deflection off Michael Morrison before Yakou Meite levelled the score with a header just before half-time. But Bela scored with a spectacular 25 yard free kick to beat Rafael, before the Blues wrapped the game up late on through Alvaro Gimenez’ goal despite Lucas Joao’s consolation goal in stoppage time.

Mark Bowen named an unchanged Reading side from their successful 3-1 away trip to Wigan last weekend after George Puscas’ heroic hat-trick.

The Royals expected to have Ovie Ejaria back, who missed out last weekend through illness, but he was kept out through a groin injury while John Swift and Sam Baldock both missed out with injury.

Birmingham, who came into the match win-less on the road in their last six away matches, won the first corner of the match but Reading countered quickly with Puscas, Andy Yiadom and Yakou Meite and won a corner of their own. Pele took the set piece in Swift’s absence, but his corner was comfortably cleared of danger.

Reading tried to force the issue as they won another couple of corners after a dangerous cross from Omar Richards who tried to find Meite in the middle but was denied by good defending. Matt Miazga headed wide of the target from the resulting corner.

Related posts

Former Reading FC player announces shock international retirement

Reading FC star player linked with transfer to Wrexham

Both sides struggled to find their rhythm in the first-half, with several injury stoppages throughout. Birmingham were forced into two early changes as Wes Harding replaced Jake Clarke-Salter in the 15th minute before Dan Crowley was forced off with an injury and replaced by Jacques Maghoma in the 30th minute.

The hosts began to show some brighter sides as the Madejski crowd responded in due course, with Puscas getting a shot away on goal after Yiadom slipped a through ball to the forward, but he was denied by the offside flag.

Former Birmingham City captain Michael Morrison stayed alert in the heart of the Royals defence to smash away a testing cross.

Birmingham then went ahead in the 41st minute through a freak goal. Morrison stretched to block a Jude Bellingham effort but the ball took a wicked deflection as it flew over Rafael into the back of the net.

But the Royals weren’t behind for long as a spell of three corner in quick succession finally ended in an end product.

Pele’s super delivery was met by Meite who lost his marker and powerfully headed the ball into the corner to equalise just three minutes after the Blues’ opener to take the sides in level at the break.

Yakou Meite and George Puscas celebrate Reading’s equaliser. Pictures by Steve Smyth.

Bowen made one change at half-time, with Argentine forward Lucas Boye taking the place of Matt Miazga as the Royals switched to a 4-4-2 formation.

Morrison charged out of the defence and missed his tackle as the Blues looked to burst through but a superb recovery run and tackle from Pele prevented the visitors from striking at goal.

Pele
Pele.

Birmingham looked the more likely to re-take the lead early in the second half and they almost did as Maghoma worked some space and fired a shot at goal which crashed back off the crossbar.

The Royals had to soak up a lot of Birmingham pressure and it eventually told as the away side took the lead for the second time.

Garath McCleary gave away a clumsy foul with a frustrated tackle after he wasn’t given a free kick moments before at the other end. Birmingham took advantage as Jeremie Bela smashed the ball into the top corner with a stunning strike from 25 yards.

Pele’s delivery continued to be consistent from corners and it almost led to another equaliser as Puscas’ header bounced back off the bar.

Bowen made his second change in the 65th minute as Lucas Joao replaced McCleary.

Bela looked to work his magic from another free kick from a similar distance, but Rafael flew to his right to beat the ball away from goal.

The hosts then made their final change of the game as experienced midfielder Charlie Adam replaced Pele in the 75th minute.

Rafael made another smart save to keep out Lukas Jutkiewicz’ strong effort before Lucas Joao blazed the ball high into the stands after a golden chance to pull Reading level from Yiadom’s cut back from Reading’s best chance of the half.

Liam Moore and Rafael collide
Rafael.

Birmingham sealed the points late in the day as the ball fell kindly for Gimenez after Morrison’s tackle and he caressed the ball into the corner to gift wrap the points for the away side.

Lucas Joao clawed back a late goal in stoppage time as his touch diverted the ball past Trueman to trickle over the line, but it wouldn’t be enough to spark a revival as City held on to their lead.

Defeat leaves Reading in 18th position in the Championship with two away trips on the horizon, first against bottom of the table Barnsley on Wednesday evening before the Royals visit 23rd place Stoke City next Saturday.

Reading: Rafael, Richards, Morrison, Miazga, Moore (c), Yiadom, Rinomhota, Pele, Meite, Puscas, McCleary.
Subs: Walker, Gunter, Loader, Boye, Blackett, Adam, Joao.

Birmingham City: Trueman, Pedersen, Dean (c), Crowley, Sunjic, Bellingham, Gimenez, Colin, Clarke-Salter, Bela, McEachran.
Subs: Camp, Harding, Jutkiewicz, Montero, Maghoma, Davis, Bailey.

Keep up to date by signing up for our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people who have requested it.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Tags: birminghambirmingham cityBirmingham City FCchampionshipFootballreadingReading FCReading Football ClubSky Bet Championship
Previous Post

VOTE 2019: Sir John Redwood needs new shoes after walking and driving round Wokingham in quest for votes

Next Post

Mark Bowen on: Birmingham defeat, missing Swift and Ejaria, reaction against Barnsley and Stoke and more

FOLLOW US

POPULAR THIS WEEK

Two June volunteer fairs will give people an opportunity to connect with a charity and discover the joy of volunteering. Picture: courtesty of ABC to Read

June is the time to highlight the joys of volunteering

May 25, 2025
A grant from The National Lottery Fund will help volunteers at The Eco Skills Learning Centre in Arborfield to create more bird box kits for their children's workshops. PIcture: Spencers Wood Repair Cafe

Grant means more homes – for the birds

May 29, 2025
Sam Green and Megan Bartlett, who both took part in the Wokingham half marathon earlier this year. Pic: Harry McBain.

Sam and Megan take Sumas supporters’ awards

May 28, 2025
Quarters Estate Agents

Quarters wins Best in Postcode award for customer service

May 26, 2025
The Julia Set Picture: Andrew Merritt

RaW Sounds Today: Featuring The Julia Set, Y, Honeyglaze and The Bluepers

May 25, 2025
Dalia's CoppaFeel Curry Night at The Tamarind Tree restaurant was another delicious success for the cancer charity fundraiser. Picture: Emma Merchant

CoppaFeel Curry Night in Wokingham a joyful fundraiser

May 29, 2025

ABOUT US

Wokingham Today is dedicated to providing news online across the whole of the Borough of Wokingham. It is a Social Enterprise, existing to support the various communities in Wokingham Borough.

Wokingham.Today is a Social Enterprise and aims to ensure that everyone within the Borough has free access to independent and up-to-date news. However, providing this service is not without costs. If you are able to, please make a contribution to support our work.

CONTACT US

[email protected]

Keep up to date with our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people that have subscribed

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Support Us
  • Book Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Get the Print Edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter

The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
If you have a complaint about a  The Wokingham Paper Ltd  publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance, contact the publication concerned, email: [email protected], or telephone: 0118 327 2662. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • Arborfield
    • Barkham
    • Beech Hill
    • Binfield
    • Bracknell
    • Charvil
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
    • Emmbrook
    • Finchampstead
    • Grazeley
    • Henley
    • Hurst
    • Lower Earley
    • Norreys
    • Reading
    • Remenham
  • COMMUNITY
  • LIFESTYLE
  • SPORT
  • READING FC
  • OBITUARIES
  • WHAT’S ON
  • JOBS
  • PHOTOS
  • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • CONTACT US
  • WHERE TO GET THE PRINT EDITION
  • SUPPORT US

© 2022 - The Wokingham Paper Ltd - All Right Reserved.