City climbed to the top of Sky Bet League One with a 2-1 victory over Reading on Saturday afternoon.
Brian Barry-Murphy elected to make four changes to the side that defeated Leyton Orient before the international break as Calum Chambers, David Turnbull, Omari Kellyman and Yousef Salech all came into the starting XI.
It was a fast start from both teams as Kelvin Abrefa’s effort sailed over for the visitors early on, followed by a well-worked move from City as Chris Willock’s strike was blocked.
The Royals almost took the lead with 15 minutes played as Lewis Wing’s free kick looked to be heading in, courtesy of a deflection, though the ball bounced off the top of the bar and behind.
City steadily grew into the game and created several chances thereafter. Turnbull’s dangerous cross had to be turned behind by Paudie O’Connor, before Salech then did well to hold off the Reading defender before striking just over the bar.
At the other end, Paddy Lane found himself one-on-one with Nathan Trott, but the City keeper produced a superb save to keep the score level.
However, with seven minutes of the first half left, Reading took the lead. Wing’s powerful long range strike found the bottom corner of the City goal. The Bluebirds almost responded instantly as Rubin Colwill’s cross was met by Salech, but his effort was somehow kept out by Reading keeper Jack Stevens.
Trott was called into early action in the second period as Jack Marriott was played through, but the City keeper denied the Reading forward with an outstretched leg.
Minutes later, the Bluebirds found a way back into the game. Kellyman created space for himself on the right hand side and unleashed a curling effort goalwards, which snuck under the Reading keeper, making it 1-1 with 50 minutes played.
Despite conceding, the visitors looked to hit back immediately, but again Trott came to City’s rescue as he producing a diving save to keep out Matt Richie’s near post-strike. The hosts then went searching for the lead. Willock’s pinpoint cross found Salech, whose header couldn’t quite find the target.
With 65 minutes played the Bluebirds second half turnaround was complete. An incisive move from City ended with Ronan Kpakio’s cross finding Salech, who smashed the ball home with a first time finish.
After going behind, the visitors looked for a way back into the game and thought they had levelled the score. Marriott’s cross found Lane, who looked all but certain to equalise. However, substitute Will Fish produced a heroic goal line clearance to keep Cardiff ahead.
Trott was called into late action, firstly denying Welshman Charlie Savage from distance, then smartly keeping out Marriott’s effort from close. Despite Reading’s late push for an equaliser, the Bluebirds earned all three points.
City are back in action next Saturday, as we travel to the Toughsheet Community Stadium to face Bolton Wanderers in a 12:30pm kick-off.
FINAL SCORE: CARDIFF CITY 2-1 READING
Cardiff City: Trott, Kpakio, Osho (Fish 46’), Chambers, Bagan, Turnbull, J.Colwill (Robinson 64’), R.Colwill, Kellyman (Davies 64’), Willock (Ashford 79’ (Ng 90’) ), Salech. Subs Not Used: Turner, Wintle.
Reading: Stevens, Abrefa (Yiadom 70’), Burns, Dorsett (Jacob 74’), O’Connor, Doyle (Ehibhatiomhan 70’), Wing, Savage, Lane (O’Mahony 86’), Marriott, Richie (Kyerewaa 70’). Subs Not Used: Norcott, Elliot.