Gills in seventh heaven after dumping youngsters out of cup

READING exited the Checkatrade Trophy after losing a 12-goal thriller at Priestfield.

The young Royals needed to win against their League One opposition to stand any chance of progression and that looked impossible at 4-1 down.

But the visitors incredibly battled all the way back to 4-4, only to eventually lose 7-5 in a crazy contest.

Romania international Adrian Popa added some experience to the youthful side which made the trip to Kent, but it was the home team who raced into an early lead.

The deadlock was broken in the opening minute when Greg Cundle swept home.

A second soon arrived when goalkeeper George Legg fumbled a long-range effort, allowing Conor Wilkinson to tap in.

And Gills were 3-0 up inside half an hour as Scott Wagstaff headed in at the back post.

Reading pulled one back before the break courtesy of Joel Rollinson’s finish, only for Gillingham to go straight down the other end and make it 4-1 going into half-time through Luke O’Neil’s strike.

Whatever Scott Marshall said to the side at the break seemed to work as Popa made it 4-2, controlling Ryan East’s pass well before clipping the ball into the net.

Ramarni Medford-Smith reduced the deficit further with a fierce strike and the comeback was complete on 68 minutes when Jake Sheppard headed in.

Gillingham missed the chance to go back in front when Darren Oldaker ballooned a penalty over the crossbar, but the hosts dug in to move 6-4 ahead.

Noel Mbo bundled in the fifth before Legg failed to handle Oldaker’s speculative effort.

Popa pulled another one back, but a 90th minute Oldaker strike sealed a 7-5 victory.

Reading end the campaign with just one point from their three group matches.

READING: Legg, Holmes, MedfordSmith, Osho, Burley, East, Rollinson, Sheppard, Popa, Frost, Barrett.

Subs not used: Rosario, Howe, Shokunbi, Davis, Green, Buchanan, Odimayo.

Goals: Rollinson (38), Popa x2 (49,83), Medford-Smith (57), Sheppard (68)

Attendance: 1,039

n READING U18s picked up a point with a 1-1 draw against Man City in the Premier League Cup.

Jack Buchanan scored for the Royals before Felix Nmecha earned City a draw from the penalty spot.