Match Reports

Reading 0-2 Albion

Taylor Gardner-Hickman celebrates his goal against Reading.

Superb strikes either side of half-time helped Albion to a 2-0 win at Reading on Saturday afternoon.

Matty Phillips’ 25th minute finish, combined with Taylor Gardner-Hickman’s stunning first goal for the club in the second half, were enough to help Richard Beale’s team claim all three points.

The Baggies are next in action this Tuesday, when they host Bristol City in search of back-to-back triumphs.

An image of Matty Phillips celebrating with Dara O'Shea after a goal at Reading

There was one change to the XI that drew 0-0 with Luton last weekend, as Beale brought Gardner-Hickman into his line-up for Okay Yokuslu.

And it was Albion who made the stronger start, Brandon Thomas-Asante seeing one shot blocked and another deflected wide inside the opening 15 minutes.

Their good early work was then rewarded midway through the first period thanks to Phillips – the winger brilliantly bringing down a crossfield pass, dribbling past the Reading defenders and slotting a composed side-footed effort home.

Reading created a few attempts at an equaliser ahead of the break, Andy Carroll and Lucas Joao both heading off-target, however the Baggies were good for their lead come half-time.

An image of Matty Phillips celebrating with his teammates after a goal at Reading

Though it was initially quiet after the restart, the game suddenly burst into life thanks to an Albion Academy graduate on 72 minutes.

Gardner-Hickman dispossessed Jeff Hendrick in the middle, drove forward and unleashed an unstoppable effort – sending the travelling Baggies absolutely wild.

It took some brave defending, and four fantastic Alex Palmer saves, to get Albion over the line – but they saw it out to earn a maiden victory on the road this season.

Albion: Palmer; O’Shea, Kelly, Pieters; Phillips, Livermore (Yokuslu 80), Gardner-Hickman, Townsend; Wallace (Molumby 80), Thomas-Asante (Grant 65), Diangana (Cleary 66).

Substitutes: Button, Furlong, Swift.