Match report

Stevenage Defeats Reading 1-0 in League One Clash

Stevenage
Stevenage
1–0
FT
Reading
Reading
Mar 21, 2026

Stevenage stunned Reading with a solitary goal from Daniel Kemp in the 85th minute to secure a narrow 1-0 win in League One. The hosts managed to hold off Reading's relentless pressure, despite the visitors making several substitutions and earning multiple yellow cards throughout the match. Stevenage's defense was solid, and their lone strike proved decisive in the end.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: Stevenage 1–0 Reading
  • • Goal: Daniel Kemp (85')
  • • Yellow Cards: J. Reid (Stevenage), J. R. Dorsett A. (Reading), P. O'Connor (Reading), D. Phillips (Stevenage)
  • • Substitutions: R. Williams for P. Lane (Reading), W. Keane for K. Young (Reading), Kami Doyle for M. Ritchie (Reading), F. Burns for J. R. Dorsett A. (Reading), L. Thompson for Daniel Kemp (Stevenage)

Lineups

Stevenage

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 1 Filip Marschall (G)
  • 15 Charlie Goode (D)
  • 5 Carl Piergianni (D)
  • 16 Lewis Freestone (D)
  • 2 Luther James-Wildin (M)
  • 23 Louis Thompson (M)
  • 18 Harvey White (M)
  • 11 Jordan Roberts (M)
  • 8 Daniel Phillips (F)
  • 25 Matt Phillips (F)
  • 19 Jamie Reid (F)

Substitutes

  • 13 Taye Ashby-Hammond
  • 6 Dan Sweeney
  • 17 Jasper Pattenden
  • 4 Jordan Houghton
  • 30 Beryly Lubala
  • 44 Phoenix Patterson
  • 10 Daniel Kemp

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)
  • 3 Jeriel Dorsett (D)
  • 10 Lewis Wing (M)
  • 8 Charlie Savage (M)
  • 29 Kami Doyle (M)
  • 27 Will Keane (M)
  • 21 Randell Williams (M)
  • 9 Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan (F)

Substitutes

  • 32 Paddy Lane
  • 25 Jack Stevens
  • 17 Andy Yiadom
  • 12 Finley Burns
  • 19 Kadan Young
  • 30 Matt Ritchie
  • 6 Liam Fraser

Timeline

  1. Stevenage
    15' Stevenage Card · Yellow Card
    J. Reid

    Foul

  2. Reading
    35' Reading subst · Substitution 1
    Off: R. Williams · On: P. Lane
  3. Reading
    55' Reading Card · Yellow Card
    J. R. Dorsett A.

    Foul

  4. Reading
    68' Reading subst · Substitution 2
    Off: W. Keane · On: K. Young
  5. Reading
    68' Reading subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Kami Doyle · On: M. Ritchie
  6. Reading
    68' Reading subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. R. Dorsett A. · On: F. Burns
  7. Stevenage
    69' Stevenage subst · Substitution 1
    Off: L. Thompson · On: Daniel Kemp
  8. Reading
    70' Reading Card · Yellow Card
    P. O'Connor

    Foul

  9. Stevenage
    85' Stevenage Goal · Normal Goal
    Daniel Kemp
  10. Reading
    89' Reading subst · Substitution 5
    Off: R. Nyambe · On: A. Yiadom
  11. Stevenage
    90'+4 Stevenage Card · Yellow Card
    D. Phillips

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Stevenage Reading
Fouls 5 14
Pass Accuracy 59% 55%
Offsides 3 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 10 4
Corners 2 2
Total Passes 335 256
Yellow Cards 1 2
Blocked Shots 0 1
Shots on Target 3 1
xG — —
Shots off Target 7 2
Possession 57% 43%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 199 142
Shots Inside Box 8 2
Saves 0 2
Shots Outside Box 2 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Stevenage's early yellow card to J. Reid set the tone for a defensive battle early in the game.
  • ▸ The game's momentum shifted when Daniel Kemp scored in the 85th minute, giving Stevenage the lead and the upper hand in the match.
  • ▸ Reading's flurry of substitutions and yellow cards did not change the outcome, as Stevenage held firm to secure the win.