Reading fell to a 2-0 defeat at Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium in the first Thames Valley derby of the season on Wednesday night.
Two second-half goals secured the points for Oxford. The win moves United up to third, while Reading remain sixth.
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Royals boss Leam Richardson spoke to Royals TV after the match. Here’s what he had to say.
“I thought first half we were really good without the ball. Not great in transition. We felt we could catch them a lot in transition.
“I think we probably had three or four big chances second half before they score. We hit the post, we hit the bar twice.
“We go to sleep for the first goal. It’s inexcusable. And then the second goal, like I said, very weak defending at the back post, and the game’s over.”
“I don’t think any of our subs affected the game at all. And then, like I say, after the second goal we got a bit ragged trying to chase the game, and the game’s over.”
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“I think we’ve always responded really well to any setback. Since I’ve been in the building for a year, nine times out of ten we’ve responded really well, and that’s what I demand.”
“He had a really good chance first half as well, inches away second half from a goal. So yeah, really good to have him back. He’s only had a couple of days on the grass as well, so I’m always mindful of the minutes.”
“They’ll both miss the Stockport game. So yeah, disappointing, but we’ll look at that once we’ve dealt with Peterborough game in the FA Cup.”
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“A really disappointing result, really disappointing ending to the game. Didn’t like us for 10 minutes at the end of the game. I’m absolutely devastated for the fans, for the travelling fans.
“I wanted to win so much for them tonight.”
