In a cup tie that was being billed as the clash of the Savage’s, it was the young Charlie who bested his father’s Peterborough.

Leam Richardson made three changed to the starting line-up for the FA Cup First Round proper at the Weston Homes Stadium. Charlie Savage was given his expected start against his father Robbie’s Peterborough replacing Bristol City loanee Josh Stokes, whilst Liam Fraser replaced captain Lewis Wing and Portsmouth loanee Josh Knight stepped in for Jeriel Dorsett.

Captain duties were handed to vice-captain Joel Pereiera.

It was an uneventful start to the clash of the Savage’s, with neither Reading nor Peterborough dictating the play. Both League One sides battled in midfielder and tried to create, but there were no clear-cut chances in the first ten minutes.

The first opportunity fell to Savage in the 12th minute, the midfielder was found running in-behind by Daniel Kyerewaa, but his shot from just outside the six-yard box flashed just above the bar.

Ten minutes later the Royals came close to opening the scoreline. Savage whipped in a corner to an unmarked Knight in the box, the defender headed the ball on target but it hit the cross bar and was then cleared.

The Posh returned with their own attack, but through some heroic last-ditch defending from Fraser he stops Mendonca from tapping home to put the hosts ahead by clearing the ball off the line.

The Royals used the momentum from the defensive resilience to surge the attack and two minutes later opened the scoring. After some fast footwork from Kyerewaa, he found himself a yard of space in the Posh box and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper. Andy Rinomhota was credit with the assist.

That would mark Kyerewaa’s first goal of the season and his first since April after scoring against Rotherham in the league. Whilst Rinomhota registered his first assist since February 2025 when he was playing for Cardiff.

Another ten minutes go by and Jack Marriott gives Reading a 2-0 lead. Haydon Roberts runs down the wing and takes the early cross to find the unmarked striker in the box who makes a diving header to put it home. It only took the striker three games since returning from injury to add to his score tally.

The officials signalled that there would be four minutes added time and the Royals took full advantage. As it was written in the stars, Savage helped the Royals end the half with a three goal lead. A move that started with Kyreece Lisbie down the right was played along the Royals' front line and found Savage on the edge of the box. The midfielder made no mistake, and with a little help from a deflection put it past the Posh keeper.

Half Time – Peterborough 0-3 Reading

Richardson made one change at half-time with Ashqar Ahmed replacing an injured Udoka Godwin-Malife.

Five minutes into the half Savage was looking for his second, after a counter-attack started by Ahmed the ball landed with Lisbie in midfield. The winger dribbled through the centre and found Savage who shot from distance and forced Bass into a save.

The Royals made a double substitution with goalscorer Jack Marriott and Kyreece Lisbie being replace by Jamie Reid and Randell Williams respectively.

Kyerewaa had another chance a few minutes later from distance, but his shot went over the bar.

Jamie Reid had his first shot on target moments after, with Liam Fraser finding the striker with a waited cross but Reid only fired it straight at Bass.

He didn’t have to wait long to get his goal as in the 70th minute with a cheeky finish the striker scored his first Reading goal. A free-kick put in the box by Savage was flicked on by Paudie O'Connor and landed in the path of an unmarked Reid who dinked the ball over the keeper.

Richardson made a further two changes with Kyerewaa and Knight coming off for Emmanuel Osho and Conor Masterson.

Four minutes were added on but the game had already been said and done. The Royals secured their place in the Second Round of the FA Cup.

Full Time: Peterborough 0-5 Reading

Reading: Pereira (C); Malife (Ahmed 45'); Roberts; Rinomhota; Marriott (Reid 56') ; Savage; O’Connor; Knight (Masterson 78'); Lisbie (Williams 56') ; Fraser; Kyerewaa (Osho 78')

Subs: Stevens; Wing; Patton

Goals: D. Kyerewaa (26'), J. Marriott (34'), C. Savage (45'+4), J. Reid (70, 76')