The Valiants are defeated in Berkshire.
A slow beginning to proceedings with the first real chance coming on 14 minutes. Reading defender Tyler Bindon found himself on the ball in the area after a fortunate deflection but his shot did not trouble Connor Ripley as it rolled wide of the far post.
The Valiants first shot on target came on 29 minutes through Ethan Chislett. Alex Mighten was sent down the left wing and beat his man with ease before swinging a cross into the middle. Chislett met it but his header was comfortably claimed by David Button.
After that save the hosts went on the counter attack but we got back in numbers well. This forced Lewis Wing to have a shot from range but it flew over the crossbar.
On 36 minutes Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan forced Ripley into a save as he was found free at the back post but our number one produced a great save from close range to keep the score level.
Two minutes later Mighten continued to look dangerous on the left side and came close to producing a go ahead goal. He cut in onto his right foot and aimed towards the near post from inside the area but the winger just dragged his effort wide.
After 39 minutes it was Reading’s turn to try and break the deadlock. Femi Azeez tried his luck from range but it was easy for Ripley to hold onto the ball as the score remained level at half time.
Vale came straight out of the traps in the second half, coming close top opening the scoring on 49 minutes. Jensen Weir turned his man on halfway and raced towards goal powering an effort at Button who saved only as far as Mighten but his effort was well blocked with the hosts managing to clear the ball away.
Three minutes after the hour mark Ripley was forced into a terrific save when Azeez cut in from the right and fired an effort destined for the far corner but Ripley tipped the ball round the post with his fingertips.
On 76 minutes the hosts took the lead in emphatic fashion following a corner. The original delivery was cleared only as far as Wing who took a touch and smashed the ball into the bottom corner from outside of the area.
Seven minutes later Reading doubled their lead following a goal line scramble. Tom Sang blocked an initial effort before Harvey Knibbs forced the ball home from close range.
Reading | David Button, Clinton Mola, Harvey Knibbs, Sam Smith, Femi Azeez, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan (60’ Ben Elliot), Andy Yiadom, Tyler Bindon, Amadou Mbengue, Lewis Wing, Michael Craig (46’ Charlie Savage)
Unused Subs | Joel Pereira, Paul Mukairu, Zane Monlouis, Jayden Wareham, Kelvin Abrefa
Port Vale | Connor Ripley, Dan Jones (58’ Conor Grant), Tom Sang, Nathan Smith, Ryan Loft (77’ James Wilson), Ethan Chislett (73’ Ben Garrity), Alex Mighten (73’ Gavin Massey), Funso Ojo, Jason Lowe, Jensen Weir, Jesse Debrah
Unused Subs | Jayson Leutwiler, Alex Iacovitti, Baylee Dipepa