Reading FC

Jem Karacan, Michail Antonio and Jake Taylor celebrate Reading's winner against Wolves
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Reading FC hot-shot Antonio slays Wolves

By Jonny Fordham
July 28, 2010

Michail Antonio is hoping to replicate Jimmy Kebe’s dazzling form for Reading after scoring his first goal for the club last night.

The 20-year-old winger poked home Royals’ second goal in a 2-1 win over Premier League side Wolves at Madejski Stadium before declaring there was much more to come.

Antonio was plucked from Tooting and Mitcham by former Reading manager Steve Coppell in 2008. But up until six months ago his days at the club had looked numbered as he had failed to break into the team.

But he is now threatening to be a crucial part of Royals’ 2010/11 Championship side after breaking his goal-scoring duck.

“It was my first goal for the club and I hope to get many more,” said the powerful midfielder.

“I’ve been here for two years, but I’ve hardly been involved in the first team. But now I’ve played four games and scored, so to be honest it’s a good thing.

“I’ve shown the gaffer that I can score goals.”

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The former Southampton and Cheltenham Town loanee looked like he had big boots to fill when he replaced man-of-the-match Kebe in the 60th minute.

However, Antonio proved he was up to the challenge. He reacted quickest to a Noel Hunt flick from Andy Griffin’s 70th-minute free-kick, pouncing to slot the ball past Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme to make it 2-0.

Gylfi Sigurdsson had put McDermott’s men ahead in the 10th minute from the penalty spot with David Jones pulling one back for Mick McCarthy’s men in the 78th minute.

And now Antonio is hoping he will get the chance to star again when Reading play their final pre-season friendly against Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

He said: “I just need to train hard and hopefully I’ll get a game on Saturday.

“It’s going to be a good game. Southampton are a good club. They’ve got some good players there. We can’t go down there just expecting to win because they will be up for it.”

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This is arguably RFC's most important season ever! Either the youngsters will come through and get us promotion or they will be one ( half ) season wonders. I expect the former and then exciting times in The Premiership - no more sales please!