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Reading’s Sam Smith goads angry Oxford fans as he celebrates equaliser against his former club

Reading’s Sam Smith goads angry Oxford United fans as celebrates scoring an equaliser against his former club on Tuesday night.

The one-time U’s loanee started for the hosts and managed to quickly cancel out his old club’s opener just before the break.

Ciaron Brown had score for Oxford United on the 39th minute, with what ended up being their only shot on target.

Sam Smith then levelled for Reading, preventing new Oxford boss Des Buckingham from picking up his first League One win after four matches.

The quiet first half ended dramatically, but the second half lacked quality, with neither side able to find a winner in what was the first league meeting between the two since April 2001.

Sam Smith’s taunting towards the away end put some extra spice on the game, after there had been some argy bargy in hours leading up to the game.

“Every goal is a special moment, especially against Oxford!” Smith said, as per the Reading website. “I think it was a really tough game today – they are a great team, and we just had to see it out at the end.

“A derby is always big, especially having it not been for so long. We knew how much this game meant to the fans; we wanted to leave it all out there for everyone involved today.

“We have had a lot of games in quick succession, so there’s a few tired legs. They are a good team and they move the ball quickly and at high tempo game, so you could see towards the end we had a few tired legs, and we were trying to hold on.

“We had a few yellow cards and a lot of subs. I don’t think we have had enough draws this season – so to get one against a good team like that… you can’t turn your nose up at a point.

“If we can build on this tonight, and build on the support in the stadium tonight – the atmosphere was incredible – then hopefully we can go to Lincoln and try and get a positive result there.

“That’s all we can do, look at each game at a time. Lincoln is another good team and we will try and continue to improve on this away form.”

He continued: “Wingy has got a great delivery! They had a high line so I knew as soon as it rolled to him, I needed to just try and get in behind them.

“I just thought, ‘get it towards the goal’ – and when the keeper comes out like that… I think it went under him. I’ll take it!”

Ruben Selles said, as per readingfc.co.uk: “It was a competitive team that we played – two teams that wanted to win the game and an equal game from the beginning to the end,” he said. “We had a good opponent in front of us.

“The environment was very good – they made a spectacular football environment. Our fans supported us from the very beginning. We wanted to give the victory to them. We didn’t, but we played heart and showed character and I’m proud of the effort that the boys put on the pitch.

“We had seven Academy players involved this evening, so that’s half of the squad we used. It isn’t the only factor, but I know they have that passion for the club, which helps us today.

“In the way that we are growing and competing, we need to be able to score more goals when we get into those good situations, and be more ruthless in our finishing. We have proved that in those moments when we don’t score, we can concede or need to defend for a period.

“So as much as we can, we need to score that goal to get us in front – and then be robust and focused in our idea.

“We have a very powerful attack – when we went a goal down, we didn’t lose our heads. We were constant in what we did. It was a fantastic ball from Lewis Wing, and a super deep run from an extraordinary finish from Sam.

“We can do it, so we need to do it more often, and to defend those crosses better that are costing us goals.”

“It is difficult – because the opposition wants to win the game too and you have to adapt,” he continued. “Sometimes you get an advantage and sometimes not. We changed a bit of the pressure and we had a bit less of the ball in the second half.

“That’s the game. Inside a game, you play multiple games. That’s all part of it. Maybe three or four weeks ago we would lose this game – we are showing that we can compete and that we have character and that we can defend corner kicks, free-kicks, long-balls like we did today.

“We know it is a learning process and that we are still on it. But we know that we can compete against anyone in this league.”

Oxford head coach Buckingham said, as per Oxford Mail: “It’s two points dropped, they’re a team we should be coming here and taking full points off.

“I thought we had more control in the game and the thing that’s crying out is that bit in the final third, and making sure we can finish off the possession and play that we do have.

“When we’re missing a few of our key players, which we clearly are, it’s important that we get goals from other ways, and we’ll continue to work on it.

“We spoke about having control and making sure we play the way we wanted to, and I think we did that in patches.

“We changed the shape – we’ve lost a couple of key players and Billy Bodin wasn’t fit to start, and we lost Ruben as well for tonight.

“They’re two key players and two top goalscorers, on top of Greg Leigh of course, so we’re missing goals from the team.

“It’s a strange feeling, it’s one where you want to come here and win the game, but we must make sure that we come away with at least something.

“I thought we created enough to come away with a win, but we didn’t hit the back of the net.”

He added: “We have to work with the ones we have fit at the moment and make sure that we do as much as we can to play to our strengths with what we have.

“It’s a long list that keeps growing, but that’s not an excuse. We’ve got a good squad and that’s being tested right now, but we will work to get ready for the home game on Saturday.

“If we can get it right in terms of how we want to play, especially in that final third when it clicks, I think we’ll be dangerous.”

On the goal conceded, Buckingham says: “I wouldn’t say we switched off, but what you need to do is make sure you keep pressure on the ball, and it was one long ball down the pitch that caught us out, and we must make sure we’re switched on for those key moments, especially just before half-time and after we scored.”

Police had issued two dispersal orders from 4pm to midnight, with it being a local derby, but also especially with more protests expected from the home fans against their owner Dai Yongge.

Reading town centre had also been covered under the order from 12pm Tuesday (December 12) until 3am Wednesday (December 13).

Section 35 dispersal powers can be put in force by police officers and designated PCSOs to prevent individuals aged 10 or over engaging in anti-social behaviour or crime and disorder not only when it has happened but when is likely to occur.

If a person does not disperse and/or leave the designated area when instructed to do so they are liable to be arrested.

Superintendent Lee Barnham, silver operational commander for the Reading FC game, said, as per Oxford Mail: “These dispersal orders are in place solely as a preventative measure for any anti-social behaviour or disorder which takes place surrounding the game.

“By activating these plans, officers have more options at their disposal to move people out of the area to reduce the likelihood of crime and disorder or people being caused harassment, alarm or distress.

“We want to ensure that fans coming to enjoy the game, residents and the wider public feel safe when visiting the town.

“Officers will be out and about throughout the day and on hand to answer any questions or concerns you may have – feel free to stop them for a chat.”

@richnewslondon #readingfc #oxfordutd #WestHam #Chelsea #footballtiktok #footballfirms #footballderbies #riotpolice #police #riot ♬ original sound – Truth Frontline📽crewRICH NEWS

@richnewslondon #readingfc #oxfordutd #footballriots #footballtiktok #football #police #riotpolice ♬ original sound – Truth Frontline📽crewRICH NEWS

Twitter users reacted as Reading’s Sam Smith goads angry Oxford fans as he celebrates an equaliser against his former club…

@ConCowan9: The level of distain I have for Sam smith is reaching Lawrence Vigeroux levels #oufc

@ronniemac93: Inject it in #readingfc

@Wallsy1871: He hates Oxford

@JamesAlanFitt: Had to be didn’t it?!

@ThomasH_1871: Hang it in the Louvre

@Grahamfurnell89: Sam smith he hates the Oxford 😂

@Scotty_mc10: Sam Smith doing Sam Smith things 😮‍💨

@JWYOUFC: It’s been a while since I’ve hated a player as much as Sam Smith. Guys just an absolute prick of a person! #OUFC

@rlj76: Sam Smith is a total Wanker #OUFC

@RustyRoyal: Some boy @samtsmith_ 👍

@MalcolmHarland: Good boy! #urz #readingfc

@Tatum1871: This is absolutely beautiful @samtsmith_ #ReadingFC

@RECNeil: Inject this into my veins. This club is a mess, but at least we didn’t let ourselves down playing that lot. #readingfc

@BelfastBiscuit: Good to see Sam Smith giving the Oxford fans the big ‘un #readingfc

@gc7il3y: Love this sort of shit housing

@SJMS1871: I don’t think i’ve ever seen a player hate a club more than Sam Smith with Oxford😂

@Kingsley_Royal:
First Thames Valley Derby in two decades, but what was your highlight from tonight’s game?
a) Sam Smith’s goal celebration.
b) Oxford refusing to come out of the pub when Reading turned up.
c) Oxford hiding behind the police for their own safety.
d) Oxford getting done in Pavs.

@Leon45699: Shithouse

@AJKendrick: Who put the ball in the O*ford net? Super Sammy Smith.

@bluewhitewall: Sam Smith loves celebrating in front of Oxford fans 😍😍😍 #ReadingFC

@MylesOUFC: All that Sam Smith demonstrates with this weird anti-Oxford rivalry, which exists only in his head, is what an utterly classless human being he is. #OUFC

@Laurencereade: Absolutely no issue with Smith shithousing last night. we all enjoyed Chris Maguire doing it back in the day. However when he did it when with Cambridge at Oxford during the Joey Beauchamp Memorial was crass and insensitive. He won’t be forgiven for that.

@gavpsmith: love that celebration by sam smith fuck you oxford #readingfc

@adsavory:
Things that impressed me;
– Sam Smith’s celebration
– Femi Azeez’s first touch
– Josh Murphy
– Reading’s pettiness removing the score board time on the 16th minute
Things that were terrible;
– Dorsett
– Oxford’s fans
– Standard of football from both sides
#readingfc #oufc

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