Reading teenagers progress in cup as hit-and-miss form continues for Academy

Reading Under-18s have progressed into the knockout phase of the Premier League Under-18 Cup, finishing second in the group following a 4-1 victory at West Bromwich Albion.

Mikele Leigertwood's side have struggled in the league, currently sat only above the Baggies in the table with eight points from nine matches.

It is certainly not helped by the financial struggles of the first-team, with plenty of eligible teenagers skipping the youth side to become regulars in the Under-21 and first-team squads.

Despite the struggles in the league, Blackburn Rovers and West Brom were defeated to ensure passage to the knockout phase of the Premier League Cup alongside Sunderland out of Group C.

Knockout ties are all one-off matches, decided by extra-time if level after 90 minutes and then penalties if required.

Emmanuel Osho- who has already made his first-team debut- was joined on the scoresheet by Kiyan Coke-Miles-Smith and Verrell George.

In contrast, Noel Hunt's Under-21s are bottom of their Premier League Cup group with zero points, suffering defeat to Luton, Brighton and Burnley.

However, they have been impacted even more so by the needs of the first-team and are still competing in PL2, the International Cup and are soon to enter the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup as reigning champions.