SUMMARY
Our under-18s twice came from behind as they drew 2-2 with Reading at London Colney on Saturday.
Dan Loader put the visitors in front when he capitalised on a mistake from Hugo Keto.
Yassin Fortune then levelled the scores with a far post header from a Vlad Dragomir cross, before Ramarni Medford-Smith restored the Royals’ lead.
With just nine minutes remaining, Emile Smith-Rowe slotted home from close range from a Dragomir free-kick.
SETTING THE SCENE
Keto started in goal, behind a defence of Jordi Osei-Tutu, Zech Medley, Joseph Olowu and Tolaji Bola.
Charlie Gilmour captained the side and paired up with Josh Dasilva in central midfield.
Smith-Rowe and Joe Willock started on the flanks.
Romanian playmaker Dragomir started in behind France youth international Fortune.
FIRST HALF
The Royals were gifted a dream start at London Colney when Keto’s attempted clearance rolled into the path of Reading attackers when a backpass from Olowu bounced off his standing leg.
With Loader making no mistake from close range, the Gunners had to chase the game and duly equalised through Fortune’s header after 22 minutes.
The visitors regained their lead before the interval with Medford-Smith’s outstretched leg turning home the ball from a free-kick.
SECOND HALF
Kwame Ampadu’s side looked to hit back immediately after the restart, with Willock whipping a fierce attempt just beyond the far post after being played in by Dragomir.
As with the first goal, Dragomir played a key role with the second. This time his curling free-kick hit Medley and fell into the path of Smith-Rowe, enabling the winger to slide in a placed effort.
Smith-Rowe has now scored four times in his last five appearances.
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