Match report

Reading Defeats Bradford 2-1 in League One Clash

Reading
Reading
2–1
FT
Bradford
Bradford
Feb 28, 2026

In a closely contested League One match, Reading emerged victorious against Bradford with a late goal from M. Ritchie securing the win after Matthew Pennington's early effort for Bradford put them in the lead.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Reading 2-1 Bradford
  • • Matthew Pennington scored for Bradford at minute 68.
  • • M. Ritchie netted the winning goal for Reading in stoppage time (90+7).
  • • Derrick Williams and S. Patton both received yellow cards for Reading.

Lineups

Reading

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 Joel Pereira (G)
  • 24 Ryan Nyambe (D)
  • 15 Paudie O’Connor (D)
  • 33 Derrick Williams (D)
  • 16 Benn Ward (D)
  • 10 Lewis Wing (M)
  • 6 Liam Fraser (M)
  • 29 Kami Doyle (M)
  • 8 Charlie Savage (M)
  • 21 Randell Williams (M)
  • 9 Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan (F)

Substitutes

  • 17 Andy Yiadom
  • 25 Jack Stevens
  • 3 Jeriel Dorsett
  • 12 Finley Burns
  • 30 Matt Ritchie
  • 32 Paddy Lane
  • 57 Sean Patton

Bradford

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 Sam Walker (G)
  • 28 Matthew Pennington (D)
  • 15 Aden Baldwin (D)
  • 26 Curtis Tilt (D)
  • 7 Josh Neufville (M)
  • 21 Jenson Metcalfe (M)
  • 6 Max Power (M)
  • 17 Tyreik Wright (M)
  • 10 Antoni Sarcevic (F)
  • 23 Bobby Pointon (F)
  • 27 Ethan Wheatley (F)

Substitutes

  • 25 Joe Hilton
  • 4 Joe Wright
  • 3 Ibou Touray
  • 33 Harrison Ashby
  • 8 Lee Evans
  • 14 Paul Mullin
  • 11 Stephen Humphrys

Timeline

  1. Reading
    34' Reading Card · Yellow Card
    Derrick Williams

    Foul

  2. Reading
    46' Reading subst · Substitution 1
    Off: R. Nyambe · On: A. Yiadom
  3. Bradford
    65' Bradford subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Ethan Wheatley · On: S. Humphrys
  4. Bradford
    65' Bradford subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Baldwin · On: Ibou Touray
  5. Bradford
    68' Bradford Goal · Normal Goal
    Matthew Pennington
  6. Reading
    79' Reading subst · Substitution 2
    Off: L. Fraser · On: M. Ritchie
  7. Reading
    79' Reading subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Derrick Williams · On: F. Burns
  8. Reading
    79' Reading subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Kami Doyle · On: S. Patton
  9. Reading
    86' Reading subst · Substitution 5
    Off: R. Williams · On: P. Lane
  10. Reading
    87' Reading Card · Yellow Card
    S. Patton

    Foul

  11. Bradford
    89' Bradford subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Bobby Pointon · On: J. Wright
  12. Reading
    90'+7 Reading Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Ritchie · Assist: Charlie Savage
  13. Bradford
    90'+9 Bradford subst · Substitution 4
    Off: T. Wright · On: P. Mullin
  14. Reading
    90'+10 Reading Card · Yellow Card
    K. Ehibhatiomhan

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Reading Bradford
Fouls 9 11
Pass Accuracy 75% 73%
Offsides 2 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 9 8
Corners 5 6
Total Passes 440 404
Yellow Cards 2 0
Blocked Shots 2 2
Shots on Target 2 1
xG — —
Shots off Target 5 5
Possession 51% 49%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 332 294
Shots Inside Box 5 3
Saves 1 0
Shots Outside Box 4 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Bradford took the lead with Matthew Pennington's goal at minute 68, shifting momentum in their favor.
  • ▸ Reading equalized towards the end of regulation time and secured victory through M. Ritchie's stoppage-time goal.