In the EFL Trophy match between Reading and West Ham United U21 held on 20 August 2024, Reading emerged victorious with a commanding 3-1 win. The home team showcased superior attacking efficiency by netting three goals from fewer corner kicks and offsides, highlighting a direct and effective playstyle. Conversely, West Ham U21, despite achieving a higher number of corner kicks, struggled to convert opportunities into goals, reflecting limitations in their set-piece execution.

Reading opened the scoring early in the first half, taking the lead at the 21:50 mark. Their attacking prowess was evident again at 30:58, doubling their lead. West Ham U21 responded swiftly with a goal at 37:31, briefly narrowing the deficit. However, Reading's cohesive defending and strategic substitutions helped maintain their lead, effectively neutralising West Ham U21’s subsequent attempts. Key moments in the second half further demonstrated Reading's dominance as they sealed the win with a third goal at 84:13.

Team discipline also played a significant role in this fixture. Reading managed to maintain better control with only one yellow card, whereas West Ham U21’s indiscipline was reflected through two yellow cards in quick succession in the second half. These incidents could have hindered their ability to mount a comeback. Additionally, West Ham U21 was caught offside only once, suggesting their forwards struggled to break Reading’s defensive line, compared to Reading's four offside calls which indicated a more aggressive offensive approach.

Reading's performance illustrated a well-rounded team effort marked by strategic positioning and effective utilization of scoring opportunities, while West Ham U21’s higher number of corner kicks and limited offside calls underscored their struggle to cohesively break through Reading's defence. This match underlined the importance of converting set-pieces and maintaining discipline as pivotal factors in securing a win.

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