The last few years have seen the academy come into prominence. With numerous first team players coming through the ranks of The Royals. The last couple of seasons, however, have focused not just on the players coming through but also the academy teams themselves, and the past two weeks have been a culmination of a huge collective effort. First off the U21s went to Liverpool, and won 2-1. With a beautiful goal from sub, Harry Cardwell, and a slightly scrappier one from ‘Michael Hector’ – which possibly should have gone to Niall Keown. Liverpool had a chance to get revenge in the FA Youth Cup when their U18s visited in the quarter-finals. What transpired over the course of the next 120 minutes was one of the greatest games to ever grace the pitch at the Madejski. Leading 2-0 just a few minutes into the second half it looked as if Reading were cruising – with Liverpool not really creating any guilt-edged chances, but somehow a late rally saw them take the game into extra-time at 2-2....
From the man who's still convinced that Nick Blackman is a good player.