Soccer
Reading put five past Mansfield to earn first league win
Reading clinched their first League One victory of the season by cruising past Mansfield 5-0 at the SCL Stadium.
A stunning three-goal burst in nine minutes before the break – from Jack Marriott, Benn Ward and George Earthy – gave Reading a commanding interval advantage.
Marriott added his second in the 58th minute, with his fifth goal of the season, and Jacob Brown completed the Royals’ rout.
Town had started well but weak efforts from Rhys Oates and Liam Thompson barely troubled home keeper Joel Pereira before Reading’s remarkable triple blast.
Marriott started it the 35th minute, touching in a Lewis Wing corner, and Ward struck five minutes later after Town keeper Harry Lewis had dropped a Wing cross.
A third strike from close range arrived in the 44th minute when Earthy – like Ward, scoring his first goal for the club – prodded in via Lewis’ far-post cross.
Mansfield threatened an unlikely comeback after the break, with 38-year-old David McGoldrick unable to capitalise on three decent chances.
Reading regrouped swiftly and effectively settled the issue when Marriott turned superbly to beat Lewis with a low drive.
With 10 minutes left, Brown guided home after a fine low cross from fellow substitute Randell Williams.
