RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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After another uneventful game, the Royals now take on Stevenage in the cup. I didn’t watch the AFC Wimbledon matched but it seemed like there were chances at both ends, and it was Benn Ward who was the stand-out performer in this one. In fact, the entire defence had good performances, keeping the score goalless.
Stevenage lost last time out against Oxford United. Stevenage and Reading have played each other five times in the past two years: Stevenage won 1-0 at home in 2025/26, Reading won 1-0 in the reverse fixture, there were two 1-1 draws the season before and Reading got a shock 1-0 win away from home in February 2024.
In terms of match excitement, this game never really produces it. Both teams are so solid defensively that a goal ends up being unlikely until either a wonder-strike is scored or one of the defenders slips up and a goal is given away. If we thought Wimbledon were bad, our yearly round trips to Stevenage might end in minus goals.
As you can see, I am very optimistic about this one, but that’s not going to stop me from giving a good bit of analysis on the Wimbledon match to see how the Royals could break down the defensively solid Stevenage. Alongside that I will give my predictions for this game.
On Tuesday August 25, the Sporta Arena hosts Stevenage vs Reading in the League Cup, round two. Kicking off at 19:45 and available to watch on Sky Sports +, the teams are going to want to make it to round three to see if they can face one of those big Premier League sides. The referee for this one will be Richard Eley.
Wimbledon
I thought it would be difficult to analyse a game that finished 0-0, but this might be one of the easiest.
The Royals dominated this one with 63% possession and 12 shots, compared to the Dons’ 37% and four shots. But it was an all-round defensive masterclass from both sides that kept the game goalless.
Dan Sweeney, funnily enough ex-Stevenage, was Wimbledon’s best player, while Ward was Reading’s.
Let’s start with Sweeney. The centre-back had some good defensive stats including one tackle, two blocks, six clearances, three interceptions and six recoveries, while also being 100% on both ground and aerial duels.
But it was his leadership that took it up for me. He was commanding the back line and they seemed to listen to him. Being in the middle of what ended up as a back five is a difficult task and I think he suits that role to a tea.
Ward was another who, stats-wise, had a great game. He made two tackles, one clearance off the line, one block, 14 regular clearances, two interceptions and two recoveries. The stats show Wimbledon were playing route one, hoof-the-ball-up kind of football, putting multiple crosses into the box – because 12 of Ward’s clearances came as headed clearances.
It seemed like nothing was getting past the young centre-back and I feel that’s what we’ve been missing from him. 19 total defensive contributions according to FotMob was the highest in the game and you can’t help but feel like he was let down a little bit by the attackers for the game not being a win.
Attacking-wise, something needs to improve. Defensively we are fine, but Jack Marriott can’t do everything in attack. Daniel Kyerewaa and Kyreece Lisbie are doing OK down the wing sbut could offer a little more going forward.
In the Stevenage game I want to see George Earthy and Charlie Savage start. Both of them are the kind of players we’re missing when we’re attacking.
Savage, as we saw last season, is everywhere when it comes to both defence and attack. He is always in the right position and the signing of Earthy was to bolster the attacking midfield spot. We need to see what he can do from minute one. I think he will get some contributions.
My predictions
Joel Pereira will be in goal.
A back four of Udoka Godwin-Malife, Boyd Beacroft, Ward and Haydon Roberts.
In front of them should be Lewis Wing and Savage.
The attacking midfield three will be Lisbie, Earthy and Kyerewaa.
The main man up top will of course be Marriott.
Score prediction: 1-1, Royals win on penalties !
Good luck to those going to the game!
Come on you Royals!
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