Sat Apr 09, 2022 4:11 pm
Reading 1-2 Cardiff City: Will Vaulks hits dramatic late winner as Bluebirds produce stunning turnaround victory
The Bluebirds head to Berkshire for another Championship clash as they bid to bounce back from derby misery last weekend
By Glen Williams Junior Reporter
Alfie Doughty of Cardiff City celebrates after scoring the Bluebirds' first at Reading (Image: Huw Evans Agency)
A dramatic late winner from Will Vaulks sealed a scintillating turnaround win for Cardiff City as they beat Reading 2-1 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
It looked as though it would be another agonising afternoon for the Bluebirds, who had to pick themselves up off the canvas following last week's heavy defeat at the hands of Swansea City, when Lucas Joao scored early and the hosts dominated the first half.
But a resurgent City hit back after the break with a beautiful goal from Alfie Doughty, his first of the season, before Vaulks hammered home emphatically five minutes from time to grab all three points.
There was a notable shift in personnel and formation for Cardiff, who deployed a back four from the off for the first time in Steve Morison's reign, with Alfie Doughty moving upfield to operate as a more conventional left winger.
It meant there was room to accommodate both Tommy Doyle and Rubin Colwill in the Bluebirds' exciting-looking midfield, which was presumably selected to maintain more possession and create more chances.
But that's not quite how it panned out. In fact, it was Reading who looked a threat from the very first kick of the ball. An early chance presented itself to Josh Laurent after some neat work from Joao to play him in behind City' two centre backs, however Ryan Wintle got back in the nick of time to stop the Royals midfielder's shot from finding the back of the net.
Just a minute later, though, Cardiff's net was disturbed. Tom Ince slid in Andy Yiadom down the right-hand side and he floated in a tempting ball to the back post, where Joao and Perry Ng converged. The Reading striker got the leap on Cardiff's more diminutive defender and stuck his point-blank header past Dillon Phillips, who had replaced Alex Smithies between the sticks after last week's derby demolition by Swansea City.
Chances for Cardiff were all too infrequent as their sloppiness and inaccuracy in possession stunted their attack. Rubin Colwill looked bright on occasion, though, one cross of his was particularly well hit but Jordan Hugill, who had lunged himself at the ball, was just inches away from converting.
But Colwill was also almost the architect of the Royals' second when, on 35 minutes, he clumsily ceded possession to John Swift 30 yards from goal. The Royals man charged towards the Cardiff box unopposed, but the onrushing Phillips did tremendously to rush out and snuff out the attack. It is safe to say more was needed from the visitors after the break.
And they produced, it must be said. There was far more zip and endeavour about them, presumably after the rocket they had just been served by the manager at the break.
The first sign of improvement was when Doughty fizzed in a low cross which Colwill hit first-time at the near post, forcing a smart save from Orjan Nyland at the near post. But then it was Doughty's time to get on the end of a ball into box and he was more clinical.
Just on the hour mark, Joe Ralls lofted a ball over the defence and into Doughty's path and the winger took one excellent touch to drive in towards the keeper. He looked up and bent it expertly around Nyland and into the back of the net for his first Bluebirds goal - what a lovely one it was, too.
Both teams tightened up thereafter and chances were at a premium. Neither Phillips nor Nyland in the Reading goal had much to do as the game ebbed towards its conclusion. But there is always one final chance, always.
Cardiff were in the ascendancy by this point and had players flooding forward as they looked for a winner - and they found one.
Isaak Davies picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and passed it on to Tommy Doyle, who slotted a lovely ball through into the box for Vaulks, who was driving into the box. The midfielder took a good touch before blasting it into the bottom corner to seal the three points.
What a way to bounce back after such a miserable week and just reward for the 2,000-plus travelling fans in Berkshire.
Reading XI: Nyland; Yiadom, Morrison, Holmes, McIntyre; Laurent, Drinkwater Ince (Barker 87), Swift (Azeez 76), Hoilett (Ejaria 60); Joao.
Subs: Southwood, Baba, Thomas, Dele-Bashiru.
Cardiff City XI: Phillips; Drameh, Ng, Nelson, Bagan; Doyle, Wintle, Ralls (Vaulks 64), Doughty (Davies 74); Colwill, Hugill (Ikpeazu 90).
Subs: Luthra, McGuinness, Flint, Harris.