Reading beat Northampton Town 4-1 to earn a Boxing Day victory at the Select Car Leasing Stadium- a first for birthday boy Noel Hunt as manager. A comfortable afternoon for the play-off chasing Royals in front of a crowd of just over 12,000, goals from Harvey Knibbs, Sam Smith and Charlie Savage did the job. The Cobblers did improve after the break and Tom Eaves got on the scoresheet for Kevin Nolan's side in the former West Ham captain's first match as manager. It took only three minutes for an
Colchester United beat Gillingham in League Two
Reading boss Noel Hunt has made two changes for this afternoon's visit of Northampton Town, with Amadou Mbengue returning from the start. The popular defender missed last week's 2-0 defeat at Lincoln City with concussion but returns in place of the suspended Louie Holzman. Abraham Kanu, who was a second half substitute at Sincil Bank, comes in at left-back for Andre Garcia. Joel Pereira remains in goal, while Michael Craig and Tyler Bindon join Kanu and Mbengue in the back line.
REVIEW OF 2024: The years saw farewells to legendary chairman Andrew Jenkins, maverick star Stan Bowles and 1960s favourite Willie Carlin.