Forest Green Rovers U18s saw off the visiting Reading City U18s 3-0 in the Third Round Qualifying of the FA Youth Cup.

A goal from Kemall Wilson to end the first half was backed up by Isaac Hughes and Thomas Conteh after the break, to progress into the draw for the First Round Proper.

Rovers dominated the ball in the first half with a great chance after just five minutes.

Stephen Walsh delivered a ball from the middle of the pitch to Conteh. The winger’s first touch put the ball on his left foot where his effort was then saved sharply to Reading city keeper Marvin Wood’s left.

After the early chance the visitors sat in looking to hit the hosts on the counter.

A huge opportunity fell to Preston Mason after Wood’s spilled the ball into his path. However, Mason couldn’t keep his effort down and his shot flew over the bar.

Just before the break, Wilson’s effort put Rovers ahead.

The goal came from a corner, where Mason’s original strike fell into the path of Wilson who cleverly flicked the ball into the bottom right corner.

Continuing their momentum from the end of the first half Rovers threatened early in the second period.

After a failed clearance from Reading, Hughes flashed a left-footed effort goalward, forcing Wood to make a good save.

City’s closest opportunity of the night came in the 52nd minute after Petrynski’s back pass to Will Tubbs was closed down with the keepers clearance deflected narrowly over the bar.

Just before the hour mark, Hughes was able to turn his prior threats into a goal.

Conteh kept the ball in play down the right, and delivered a cross to the front post. Two failed clearances from City saw the ball deflected up in the air. Wood’s attempt to claim the ball was dropped into the path of Hughes, who fired his volley in off the bar.

15 minutes later, Conteh’s determined efforts saw Rovers go 3-0 up.

After charging down the defender, the ball to broke through leaving Conteh one-on-one, where a composed finish saw him slot past Wood.

Reflecting on the win, U18s boss Mike Byrne praised Rovers performance, “The lads dug in, the opposition came here to sit back and catch us on the counter, which they nearly did.”

“After a chat at half-time we came out, played slightly differently and managed to score a couple of goals.”

Byrne was delighted with Wilson’s goal giving Rovers the lead at half-time, “We are always happy to go in leading, but we were under no illusion it was a difficult game.

“It was a set-piece where we scored, but we did have some significant chances before that but we couldn’t take them”

On the performance of Hughes, Byrne commented, “He is a great talent, hopefully one for the future. He played well tonight amongst others as well.”

Looking ahead to the draw for the First Round Proper he added, “We will be happy to play any team we get.

“There’s no real favourites, we will just look forward and prepare as well as we can for whoever we get.”

FGR: Tubbs, S Walsh, Hughes, Conteh, Raut, Bell, Clarke, Wilson, Petrynski, Mason, Ismail

Subs (Used): Bonnick, Aldridge, Glover, C Walsh, Osawe

Subs (Un-Used): Godfrey, Campbell