Match report

Reading and Exeter City Draw 2-2 in League One Clash

Reading
Reading
2–2
FT
Exeter City
Exeter City
Jan 27, 2026

Reading and Exeter City played to a thrilling draw at the end of their League One encounter. Peter O'Connor put Reading ahead with an assist from Luke Wing, while Paul Sweeney's goal for Exeter set the stage for a dramatic conclusion.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Reading 2–2 Exeter City
  • • Goals: Reading – W. Keane (45'), P. O'Connor (75'); Exeter City – P. Sweeney (14'), L. Woodhouse (90')
  • • Assists: H. Roberts, Luke Wing for Reading; R. Cole for Exeter
  • • Yellow Cards: J. R. Dorsett A., P. O'Connor, H. Roberts for Reading; L. Woodhouse, T. Tutierov for Exeter

Lineups

Reading

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Pereira (G)
  • 24 R. Nyambe (D)
  • 15 P. O'Connor (D)
  • 3 J. R. Dorsett A. (D)
  • 5 H. Roberts (D)
  • 11 D. Kyerewaa (M)
  • 8 C. Savage (M)
  • 10 L. Wing (M)
  • 29 K. Doyle (M)
  • 27 W. Keane (F)
  • 7 J. Marriott (F)

Substitutes

  • 6 L. Fraser
  • 9 K. Ehibhatiomhan
  • 12 F. Burns
  • 17 A. Yiadom
  • 25 J. Stevens
  • 30 M. Ritchie
  • 32 P. Lane

Exeter City

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Whitworth (G)
  • 26 P. Sweeney (D)
  • 5 J. Fitzwater (D)
  • 20 L. Woodhouse (D)
  • 14 I. Niskanen (M)
  • 6 E. Brierley (M)
  • 2 J. McMillan (M)
  • 34 L. Oakes (M)
  • 12 R. Cole (F)
  • 19 S. Cox (F)
  • 9 J. Wareham (F)

Substitutes

  • 23 J. Bycroft
  • 4 E. Turns
  • 10 J. Aitchison
  • 15 J. Yfeko
  • 17 A. Higgins
  • 27 J. Magennis
  • 28 T. Tuterov

Timeline

  1. Exeter City
    14' Exeter City Goal · Normal Goal
    P. Sweeney · Assist: R. Cole
  2. Reading
    45' Reading Goal · Normal Goal
    W. Keane · Assist: H. Roberts
  3. Exeter City
    58' Exeter City subst · Substitution 1
    Off: R. Cole · On: J. Aitchison
  4. Exeter City
    59' Exeter City subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Cox · On: T. Tuterov
  5. Exeter City
    64' Exeter City subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. McMillan · On: J. Yfeko
  6. Reading
    67' Reading subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Daniel Kyerewaa · On: P. Lane
  7. Reading
    69' Reading Card · Yellow Card
    J. R. Dorsett A.

    Time wasting

  8. Exeter City
    74' Exeter City Card · Yellow Card
    L. Woodhouse

    Foul

  9. Reading
    75' Reading Goal · Normal Goal
    P. O'Connor · Assist: L. Wing
  10. Reading
    77' Reading subst · Substitution 2
    Off: W. Keane · On: K. Ehibhatiomhan
  11. Exeter City
    77' Exeter City subst · Substitution 4
    Off: P. Sweeney · On: Ed Turns
  12. Exeter City
    77' Exeter City subst · Substitution 5
    Off: J. Wareham · On: J. Magennis
  13. Reading
    78' Reading Card · Yellow Card
    P. O'Connor

    Time wasting

  14. Reading
    79' Reading Card · Yellow Card
    H. Roberts

    Foul

  15. Reading
    87' Reading subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Kami Doyle · On: A. Yiadom
  16. Reading
    88' Reading subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Marriott · On: L. Fraser
  17. Exeter City
    90'+11 Exeter City Card · Yellow Card
    Timur Tutierov

    Simulation

  18. Exeter City
    90' Exeter City Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Woodhouse

Match Stats

Stat Reading Exeter City
Fouls 7 15
Pass Accuracy 81% 77%
Offsides 2 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 9 10
Corners 5 3
Total Passes 515 391
Yellow Cards 4 2
Blocked Shots 3 3
Shots on Target 5 2
xG 0.83 0.84
Shots off Target 1 5
Possession 57% 43%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 419 300
Shots Inside Box 7 5
Saves 0 4
Shots Outside Box 2 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Exeter City took an early lead with Paul Sweeney's goal in the 14th minute, assisted by R. Cole.
  • ▸ Reading leveled the score just before half-time through W. Keane’s strike, setting up a tense second half.
  • ▸ Peter O'Connor's goal in the 75th minute put Reading ahead briefly, but Exeter City equalized with L. Woodhouse scoring in stoppage time to secure a dramatic draw.