Spence the hero as Reading Town down Ducks
James Walker-Roberts • Published 29 Sep 2011 09:30
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RAY Spence was Reading Town's star man again as he scored twice to send them through to the first round proper of the FA Vase at the expense of Aylesbury United.
The influential forward bagged a brace in midweek against Binfield and took his tally to five goals in three games on Saturday to help Town win 2-1 in extra-time.
Mark Bartley's side will now travel to Hellenic Premier rivals Ardley United on October 22 and the manager is hoping for more of the same from Spence.
"He is the best player at this level and it helps to have someone like him in the team and playing well," Bartley told the Chronicle.
"We've still got a few improvements to make but we're looking a lot more robust than we were a month ago and if we play as we have been then there's no reason we can't beat Ardley."
Town will hope to start better in the first round proper than they did against Aylesbury as the same team that saw off Binfield struggled to find their rhythm.
The Ducks took advantage of Reading's lacklustre opening with a goal in the 31st minute from defender John Mulholland - his seventh of the season.
Marcus Richardson was injured as he tried to stop Mulholland scoring from the corner and then suffered another knock at the other end at the pitch.
The striker stayed on the pitch however and he set up Spence for the equaliser in first-half injury-time.
Spence and Phillip John both came close to giving Town the lead after the interval when they struck the woodwork.
The Reading duo looked the likliest to break the deadlock and it was Spence who netted the winner in the 101st minute.
Richard Witt split the defence with a pass which Spence raced on to and slotted past Jack Sillitoe.
The forward came close to a hat-trick when he smashed a shot against the bar and substitute Graham Lewis saw a one-on-one effort saved by the goalkeeper.
Aylesbury pushed forward in search of a late equaliser but they were denied by a solid Reading defence.
Next up for Town is a home match with Abingdon United Reserves in the Bluefin Insurance Brokers Cup on Saturday (3pm ko) and they then host Oxford City Nomads next Tuesday evening (7.45pm ko) in the league.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 29 Sep 11
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