Peterborough (a) Matchday programme from The Biscuit

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Reading have the marginally better record between these two teams, winning 21 previous meetings to the Posh’s 19, with 17 draws, but Peterborough had the edge last season when the sides met twice in December – Harry Leonard’s winner in a 2-1 victory handed Reading a first league defeat at home since August, before Gustav Lindgren cancelled out Daniel Kyerewaa’s opener in a 1-1 draw at the Weston Homes Stadium 20 days later.

This is just the second time the pair have been drawn together in the FA Cup, and on both occasions, both were third-tier sides. In December 1991, a Second Round tie at London Road finished goalless before Reading won the replay 1-0 at Elm Park thanks to a strike from Stuart “Archie” Lovell. However, the Royals would get no further, falling to Bolton Wanderers in Round Three.

More recently, Reading fans have painful memories of a cup trip to Peterborough, as in 2013, Nigel Adkins’ side who were recently relegated from the Premier League were humbled 6-0 by League-One Posh in the EFL Cup, as Lee Tomlin scored a hat-trick for the home side.

Peterborough hadn’t won a league match since August when Robbie Savage was appointed to replace Luke Williams in early October, and “Sav Senior’s” tenure got off to the perfect start with a 3-1 away win at his former club Leicester City. Since then, the Cambridgeshire side have not kicked on, drawing two and losing three in all competitions, including a 2-0 loss at home to Luton Town on 31st October.

The Posh’s only league win at home came back in August, but concerningly for Reading, they have picked up three home victories since then in cup competitions.

As for Reading, the painful 2-0 loss to Oxford United (full match report below) in midweek made it three defeats in the last six in all competitions for Leam Richardson’s side. It’s also three without a win on their travels for Reading since a 5-1 demolition of MK Dons nearly a month ago.

In the FA Cup, Reading are aiming to reach the Third Round for just the second time since relegation to League One in 2023. Last season saw the Royals concede twice in added time to throw away a 2-0 lead against Carlisle United before losing 3-2 after extra time to confirm their first Round One exit since 1998. Peterborough last fell at the first hurdle in 2005, an impressive record considering they entered in the Third Round just four times since then.

The key battle is designed to be about where the match will be won and lost on the pitch, but this time there is no getting away from the only reason why this match was selected for television coverage and poor old AFC Rushden & Diamonds had to miss out on a big night in front of the cameras against Burton Albion.

For the first time, a battle of the Savages takes place, as Reading’s Charlie Savage will go up against his father Robbie, the Peterborough boss. Richardson has turned to Savage for cup games this season, as the Welshman has played a full 90 minutes four times in the EFL Cup and Trophy, but is yet to play more than 25 minutes in a league match.

Whether he is looking to get back into the manager’s usual starting XI or wants to put himself in the shop window for a move away, Saturday evening’s match is an ideal chance for Charlie to add to the one goal involvement (one assist) he has this season, with the added incentive of the chance to get one over on his old man. As for Robbie, his career highlights against Reading amount to little more than parading around the Mad Stad in his pants after playing his final game for Derby County, then returning with his Strictly Come Dancing partner to provide some unusual half-time entertainment!

“It will be the first time I’ve ever wanted Charlie to lose a game,” said Robbie.

Reading are left disappointed in the Thames Valley Derby. 

By Lucas Derry

The Royals were left frustrated on Wednesday evening falling to defeat to local rivals Oxford United 2-0 in a strongly-contested game at the Kassam Stadium. 

With bragging rights at stake and a chance to leapfrog Oxford in the league table, it was just not to be for the away side despite creating huge opportunities. 

Second half goals from Gatlin O’Donkor and Mo Missanga forced Reading to leave empty-handed. 

The first 45 minutes was a tight affair with neither side forcing much out of the other. Kyreece Lisbie looked to be the dangerous component for Reading, causing problems for the U’s while Jack Marriott had the best effort on goal of the first half. 

After a goalless first 45, Leam Richardson’s side came out after the interval with intensity and a great mentality. 

Soon after the restart, a devilish ball swung in by Haydon Roberts caused all sorts of danger for Oxford, but after a flick on from Paudie O’Connor, Jeriel Dorsett’s follow-up was somehow kept out by Simon Eastwood.

Reading continued threatening with purpose - a brilliant ball from captain Lewis Wing forced Ciaron Brown to turn it onto his own crossbar as the home side were left breathing a sigh of relief. 

However, it was Oxford who eventually found the breakthrough in the game with a strike from O’Donkor, latching onto a free-kick from the quick-thinking Cameron Brannagan as Reading switched off. 

Despite the hosts gaining the lead, the Royals were quick in response. However, their night was summed up by hitting the woodwork for the third time in the game after a superb strike by Jacob Brown didn't grab the equaliser it deserved.

A close-range finish at a corner from Missanga put the game to bed for Aaron Ramsey’s side as it just was not to be in the Thames Valley derby as the hosts would go on to see through the final 15 minutes comfortably. 

Undoubtedly a disappointing outcome for the team, though there were positives from a Reading perspective, as they controlled the game thoroughly for large portions, but taking chances was the clear issue on a frustrating evening.

Full-Time: Oxford United 2-0 Reading

This week's subscriber content takes a look at the life and times of Willy Garbutt, who played for Reading in the Southern League and went on to be one of the most influential figures in the history of Italian football.

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A look back at a previous meeting between today’s teams

By Anthony Tomas

Reading 6-0 Peterborough United – 17th April 2010

As we have already brought up a 6-0 head-to-head win for Peterborough, it would be remiss not to look back on Reading’s biggest win in this fixture by the same scoreline.

Brian McDermott had taken Reading from the relegation zone to the top half in less than two months during the second half of the 2009/10 season, but one win in five in late-March and early-April had curtailed realistic dreams of a play-off push.

With the pressure off, Reading cut loose against already-relegated Peterborough, as five different scorers put six goals past the luckless visitors, though the Royals could have grabbed a few more.

The demolition began in the third minute when Alex Pearce headed home from a corner, then after Ryan Bertrand was upended inside the area, Gylfi Sigurdsson dispatched the penalty to double the lead. Jobi McAnuff cut in from the left and steered in the third, and it was 4-0 before the break after Jimmy Kebe did well to take a bouncing ball in his stride after running onto a searching pass over the top, and the Malian buried the finish in style.

Approaching the hour mark, Shane Long was played in behind the defence and his poked finish ended what was otherwise a frustrating afternoon for him personally, which was summed up by him hitting the crossbar to miss an open goal from three yards out, only for Sigurdsson to bundle in the rebound to complete the brace that should have been the Irishman’s.

News stories you may have missed from around Reading Football Club.

Having played a significant role on his return to the international scene with Zimbabwe during the September-October international window, Andy Rinomhota has been called-up to the Warriors' squad for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers home and away against Equatorial Guinea on 12th and 16th November.

Rinomhota will therefore miss the EFL Trophy match against Bristol Rovers and the league match with Stockport County. Charlie Savage has not been included in the Wales squad this time, while Jeriel Dorsett is awaiting the announcement of the Montserrat squad.

Reading fans may not want to think about fixtures against Oxford United for the time being, but Sky Sports have announced that the return Thames Valley derby at the SCL Stadium will be televised. Originally a 3pm kick-off, the match on Saturday 6th February has been brought forward to 12:30pm.

Bromley (h) on Saturday 21st November 2026 and Burton Albion (a) on Saturday 12th December 2026, both 12.30pm kick-offs, will also be shown on Sky Sports.

The senior side will be hoping to emulate the youth team this weekend, after Reading under-18s made it through to the Second Round of FA Youth Cup, beating Cheltenham Town, 3-2.

Reading fell behind early on, but a brilliant solo run and finish from Matthias Ojo brought the Royals level. Harrison Gilkes' side then piled on the pressure and got their reward before the break, as the Robins failed to clear an Eiljah Imafidon cross, and Ojo pounced to complete his brace.

In the second half, Henry Agyekum ran onto a defence-splitting pass and kept his cool one-on-one to put Reading two goals clear, before a late Cheltenham penalty ensured the scoreline didn't quite reflect Reading's dominance.