Shellshocked Cardiff made to pay penalty
READING came back from two goals down to reach the fifth round with a 4-1 shootout win. Josh Murphy and Robert Glatzel had put Cardiff in control before Omar Richards and substitute Andy Rinomhota sent the game into extra-time.
Murphy’s second and Yakou Meite ensured the 120 minutes ended level and Reading bossed the penalties by scoring all four of their efforts.
Aden Flint andWill Vaulks failed to convert for the Bluebirds, with Sam Walker saving Flint’s kick.
Cardiff started well and 18-year-old debutant Joel Bagan’s cross found Danny Ward, who saw his shot deflected wide. Cardiff went ahead when Murphy fired home with a low left-foot drive as Reading paid the price for failing to shut him down.
Reading swapped Adam and George Puscas for Garath McCleary and Sone Aluko at the break.
But Glatzel doubled Cardiff’s lead. Gavin
Whyte was involved but Will Vaulks’ glorious outside-of-the-foot pass did the damage as he found Glatzel who ran in on goal and finished calmly.
Then came the fightback. Reading pulled one back when Richards headed home at Etheridge’s near post after the Cardiff stopper deniedAluko. Reading banged down the door and levelled through Rinomhota, whose volley was too hot to handle. CARDIFF: Etheridge 6, Richards 6, Flint 5, Bamba 6, Bagan 6 (Bennett 82,5), Pack (capt) 6, Vaulks 7, Whyte 7 (Sang 90, 5), Ward 7 (Paterson 77, 5), Murphy 7, Glatzel 7. Goals: Murphy 19, 93, Glatzel 54. READING: Walker 5; Blackett 6 (Obita 97, 5); Morrison 6, Osho 6; Gunter 6, Adam 5 (McCleary 45, 7), Swift 6, Pele 5 (Rinomhota 63, 7), Richards 7; Puscas 5 (Aluko 45, 7), Meite 6. Goals: Richards 69, Rinomhota 79, Meite 116.