- Ben Elliot hat-trick of assists set the tone for a comfortable Reading win at home to Cambridge United
- The Cameroon international has made five assists and two goals in 17 games this season
Ben Elliot provided a hat-trick of assists for Reading to beat Cambridge United by 3-0 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium to move into the League One play-off places.
The game attended by about 8000 supporters because of the cold and many were regretting that at half-time as a lacklustre period of football ensued, however three goals in 15 minutes during the second period took the game away from the U’s.
Lewis Wing netted a brace of trademark strikes from long range while youngster Mamadi Camara scored his first home league goal all from Ben’s assists to inflict defeat on Garry Monk’s relegation-threatened Cambridge United.
Cambridge, on a three-match drawing run in the league, started well and looked the more threatening, albeit without testing the gloves of Joel Pereira. While the Royals appeared flat, they still had some impressive spells with the ball at their feet, Ben Elliott the first to let fly and have an attempt on target, again not threatening the goalkeeper too much.
Jeriel Dorsett came close as his header cannoned back off the post after Chem Campbell beat his man and whipped a cross to the near post. Sunday’s FA Cup match winner came close himself shortly after, curling an effort from out wide which required a catch.
Reading really should have taken the lead on the half-hour mark as Lewis Wing drifted a pass beyond the Cambridge defence for former U Sam Smith to chase onto. Reaching the ball first, one-on-one with Vincente Reyes, the striker’s effort lacked any power and was easily palmed away from danger.
Cambridge, on a three-match drawing run in the league, started well and looked the more threatening, albeit without testing the gloves of Joel Pereira. While the Royals appeared flat, they still had some impressive spells with the ball at their feet, Ben Elliott the first to let fly and have an attempt on target, again not threatening the goalkeeper too much.
Jeriel Dorsett came close as his header cannoned back off the post after Chem Campbell beat his man and whipped a cross to the near post. Sunday’s FA Cup match winner came close himself shortly after, curling an effort from out wide which required a catch.
Reading really should have taken the lead on the half-hour mark as Lewis Wing drifted a pass beyond the Cambridge defence for former U Sam Smith to chase onto. Reaching the ball first, one-on-one with Vincente Reyes, the striker’s effort lacked any power and was easily palmed away from danger.
Wing himself tried his luck from range three minutes later, again his shot lacking venom and allowing Reyes to get down low and hold. Perhaps the visitors’ best effort came from striker Dan Ndundulu as his powerful header looked goal bound, only for Mbengue to nod the effort beyond the post and away for a corner.
If the first half was lacking goalmouth action, the second half certainly wasn’t as the Royals plundered three goals in the opening 20 minutes. It took just four minutes for the opening goal as Smith held it up on the edge of the box before Wing took one touch and slammed an effort into the bottom corner.
Liam Bennett forced Pereira into a save up the other end, but the match was all-but over when Elliott skirted around the edge of the box and laid off to Camara, only for the youngster to cut back in on his favoured foot and powerfully finish above the onrushing keeper.
With their shoulders slumped, the Royals added gloss three minutes later with a superb, trademark Wing finish. Receiving the ball from distance from Elliot, the reigning Player of the Season winner did not even take a touch before curling a fierce effort into the top corner past the helpless Reyes.
Both teams saw out the final 20 minutes with ease and moved up into the top six ahead of Saturday’s short hop to table topping Wycombe Wanderers, backed by a sold-out away end in Buckinghamshire.
The latest performance takes Ben Elliot’s tally to give assists and two goals so far this season.
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