Match Report
27 points for Middlesbrough U21 (16th), 25 for Reading U21 (19th): a 2-point gap. Reading U21 ranked 4th in the league on five-round form, well above their 19th table position. In league terms the two rates read 1.85/1.4 for Middlesbrough U21 and 1.45/1.8 for Reading U21 (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.79.
5 meetings are on record — 0 won by Middlesbrough U21, 3 by Reading U21, 2 drawn, at 3.4 goals per meeting. History gives the home side just 40% of the wins in this matchup. 60% of the meetings finished with three goals or more, and both sides scored in 80%.
The match was played at Riverside Stadium (capacity 34,988). Middlesbrough U21 led 3-1 at the break, and the second half added 3 goals for the 5-2 full-time score.
Goal scorers
Middlesbrough U21: Sonny Finch (73'), Eric Hamelberg (20'), Sonny Finch (34'), Jayden Carbon (45'), Eric Hamelberg (53') · Reading U21: Reece Evans (90'), David Daniel George Hicks (3')
Key stats
Possession: Middlesbrough U21 57% · Reading U21 43% · Total shots: 16-9 · On target: 9-4 · Corners: 3-2