Reading face a huge game in League One this evening, with their home encounter against Bolton Wanderers affecting the League One promotion race.
The Royals put down a marker in the battle for a top-six spot with an excellent victory on Saturday over another side in that battle: Wycombe Wanderers.
But the task is expected to be even more difficult tonight, facing one of the form sides in the division. The Trotters’ four-game winning run came to an end at the weekend, but they remain in the battle for one of the two automatic promotion places in the third tier.
Despite their own impressive recent form, manager Leam Richardson remained humble when speaking to club media after that win over the Chairboys.
“There are 15 games left, 45 points to play for and we are in February. When we have managed to win leagues, you don’t win them in February you win them in May.
“We won’t get carried away because we won a couple of games. Our most important game is on Tuesday against Bolton, which will be a really good challenge for us.”
Looking back at Saturday’s result with their near neighbours from Buckinghamshire, Jack Marriott had the Berkshire side in control at the interval. After twice pouncing on opportunities presented by Wycombe’s indecisiveness, their good work was wiped out in 22 second-half minutes.
But, undeterred by that setback, the Royals struck back through the former Peterborough United man, who completed his hat-trick. That treble took him joint top of the third-tier scoring charts, level with ex-Imp Kyle Wootton and Dom Ballard. But Marriott’s 15 goals have come in just 21 appearances, giving him the best MPG ratio of any player in the division to have hit double figures.
And his manager was keen to heap praise on the forward, who has 12 goal contributions in as many games.
“It is what he does and what he has done since he put a pair of boots on. He has been doing it for many years. If you give Jack [Marriott] a chance, he will make the keeper work for sure.”
Reading Knocking On The Door
A host of sides sat outside the Play-Off places will believe they have a shot at competing in the end of season competition, but Reading are in the driving seat. Despite being outside the top six places at present, they trail Huddersfield Town by three points, with a game in hand. And with the Terriers still to play over the Easter weekend, destiny is in their own hands.
They will have a keen eye on events in Yorkshire this evening. Huddersfield Town’s trip to Doncaster Rovers and Bradford City vs Stockport County will both be of interest to Royals supporters, as they look to chip away at the deficit to the Play-Offs. Bolton will also be keeping one eye on the latter, while events at Sincil Bank will of course be important, following Saturday’s draw against Lincoln City.
Luton Town aren’t in action until tomorrow evening, while the other side who are one point behind the Berkshire outfit, Stevenage, are at home to Port Vale. With the final few months of the season on the horizon, results this evening could see a new side break into the top six.