Reading FC might have a concern in a crucial area following their performance against Colchester United.

Reading FC might have a concern in a crucial area following their performance against Colchester United.

Coniah Boyce-Clarke started between the sticks for Reading in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup game against Colchester United.

He was part of a very inexperienced starting lineup at the JobServe Community Stadium, with youngsters Kelvin Abrefa, Abraham Kanu and Emmanuel Osho starting in front of him, along with 33-year-old Harlee Dean.

They had a fairly experienced midfield, but they have three young players up top and with all of this inexperience in mind, it was always going to be a difficult task for the Royals to book their place in round two.

Colchester fielded a fairly talented side – and they made a great start to the game – with Tom Hopper heading in a corner to put the hosts 1-0 up.

Jack Payne doubled their lead from the penalty spot, before excellent goals from Charlie Savage and Lewis Wing allowed the Royals to take the game to penalties.

Unfortunately for them, the home side came out on top in the shootout, with Colchester scoring all of their penalties and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and Amadou Mbengue missing theirs.

The Berkshire side may not be too gutted to be knocked out, considering their lack of squad depth, but some of their youngsters struggled and that isn’t a major surprise.

With many youngsters being thrown into the lineup, something the Royals had to do with their lack of depth, it took them a while to get settled with the away side all at sea in the first half.

They improved after the break, but the game will still be a major learning curve for some of their youngsters.

Coniah Boyce-Clarke’s performance may have highlighted Reading FC issue

Boyce-Clarke, who is 21 now, is currently the Royals’ backup option in the absence of David Button.

However, the Jamaican has only managed to get a very limited amount of senior experience under his belt during his career.

He may have had loan spells at St Albans City and Welling United, but these temporary moves were only short and he hasn’t had the chance to establish himself as the number-one stopper at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.