Royalists return with a win over high-flying City
Reading City 0, Windsor 2
Windsor returned to competitive action for the first time in eight weeks with an inspired 2-0 victory against Reading City in the Hellenic Premier Division on Saturday.
Danny Horscroft and new signing Charlie Samuel were both on target for the Royalists as they overcame the Cityzens in a survival of the fittest at the Rivermoor.
Before kick-off, Windsor hadn’t played competitively since their 2-1 defeat to Holmer Green on October 17. That loss had condemned the Royalists to a fifth consecutive match without victory, leaving them firmly entrenched in the bottom half of the table before their season was put on pause by the second national lockdown.
Reading, on the other hand, have been enjoying life at the upper end of the division, defeating Long Crendon 5-1 in their last outing on November 3.
However, Mark Cooper’s side looked well-equipped to change their fortunes at the weekend as they lined up with new additions Karl Stevenson, Tom Scott, and Charlie Samuel.
Windsor took the lead just after the half-hour mark when Keaton August’s cross was met by the head of Billy Montague only to be spilled by City keeper Charlie York and rebounded into the back of the net by Danny Horscroft. The Royalists finished the half strongly and could have extended their lead through Samuel and August.
City came out fired up after the interval with Mo Davies testing Nojus Trinovas early on and creating chances that were unable to be converted.
Down the other end, Samuel came close to doubling Windsor’s advantage when his attempt from close range came back off the woodwork following some good attacking pressure.
Things were made harder for the hosts when Tyler D’Cruz received his marching orders for a challenge on Stevenson just before the hour. Windsor applied the pressure on their handicapped hosts with Samuel firing in the Royalists’ second in the 67th minute.
Cooper’s men continued to push the result beyond doubt but ultimately held on for a much deserved three points.