Twelve games in, City were made to settle for their first draw of the season as Jayden Wareham’s goal earned a 1-1 result against Reading at St James Park.
A frantic first half saw both sides find the net inside the opening 10 minutes, with Jack Marriott’s early strike cancelled out by Jayden Wareham’s composed finish against his former club. Despite chances falling at both ends, neither team could find a winner after the break as the Grecians recorded their first draw of the season.
Gary Caldwell made just one from his eleven who beat Lincoln City 1-0 on the road last week, with West Brom loanee Akeel Higgins coming in for his first EFL start, in the place of Josh Magennis, who was on international duty and unavailable. Tom Dean returned to the bench, while Kamari Doyle, who was on loan at the Grecians last season, started for Reading.
First half
Both City and Reading enjoyed early spells of possession, but an unfortunate mix-up at the back gifted the Royals an early opener. Johnly Yfeko’s loose back pass was intercepted by Jack Marriott, and the striker calmly slotted home for his sixth goal in six games.
The Grecians weren’t deterred, though, and were soon level through the man who joined from Reading this summer. Good interplay down the right between Reece Cole and Ilmari Niskanen found Wareham inside the six-yard box, and the striker finished first time from a tight angle to equalise.
That goal injected real confidence into City, and Wareham twice came close to adding a second. First, he pounced on a spilled Akeel Higgins cross from the left, only for Royals keeper Joe Perira to gather at the second attempt. Then, in the 22nd minute, a whipped ball into the box from Danny Andrew was inches away from connecting with Wareham’s outstretched boot.
Exeter’s momentum continued to build. Two in-swinging corners from Cole caused real havoc - the first almost sneaking in directly before being clawed away on the line by Perira. From another set piece, Andrew’s deep free-kick was met by the head of Pierce Sweeney in the centre, but his bullet header flew narrowly over.
Reading offered a brief response through former Grecian Doyle, but his effort was well blocked by Jack Fitzwater.
Moments later, City carved out a golden chance to take the lead. Cole beat the offside trap and raced clear, but was caught in two minds between shooting or squaring to the onrushing Niskanen, allowing Finley Burns to steal in just yards from goal and clear.
After an impressive first 45 minutes in his first League One start, Akeel Higgins had the final chance of the half - his low drive from the edge of the box was held by Perira at his near post.
Second half
City began the second half confidently, but it was the Royals who carved out the first major chance after the restart. A chipped ball over the top found Doyle on the right, and his first-time cross picked out Marriott, who had beaten the offside trap. Uncharacteristically, the in-form striker blazed his effort over the bar.
That moment swung momentum Reading’s way. Charlie Savage saw a close-range header blocked bravely by Yfeko, before Paudie O’Connor stooped to meet a corner in the 66th minute, only to send his shot narrowly over.
Both managers turned to their benches in search of a decisive goal, and City had to stay sharp defensively - Fitzwater producing a crucial interception to cut out a dangerous cross with substitute striker Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan waiting to pounce.
As the clock ticked down, chances began to fall City’s way again. Their best opportunity came from a late corner by substitute Tom Dean, which almost caught Pereira out as it floated goalwards, but the keeper managed to palm it over the bar at the last second.
A superb last-ditch tackle from Kevin McDonald in stoppage time ensured the scoreline remained level, as the Grecians picked up their first draw of the season.
Up next
The Grecians travel up to Stockport County next Saturday, with tickets and travel on sale by clicking here. The next home game here at St James Park is the sell-out Devon Derby against Plymouth Argyle, on Thursday 23 October, at 8pm.
Exeter City XI: Whitworth, Niskanen, Sweeney (C), Fitzwater, Yfeko (McDonald, 75'), Andrew, McMillan, Brierley (Wilson, 87'), Cole (Dean, 87'), Higgins (Aitchison 64'), Wareham.
Subs not used: Bycroft (GK), Turns, Woodhouse.
Goals: Wareham 10'
Yellow card: Wareham 90+4'
Reading XI: Pereira, Jacob (Dorsett, 90+9'), Marriott, Savage, Wing (C), Burns, O'Connor, Doyle (Ehibhatiomham, 71'), Ritchie (Yiadom, 83'), Lane (Kyerewaa, 90+9'), Ahmed (Abrefa, 82').
Subs not used: Stevens (GK), Elliott.
Goal: Marriott 6'
Yellow card: Ritchie 57'
Attendance: 7361 (1001 away)