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Every now and then, an away day comes along that – regardless of future results, promotions or relegations – just needs to be cherished in the moment as something special.
Think of Tom McIntyre’s last-minute winner at Sheffield United, or the 3-1 win up at Carlisle United in 2024. On Saturday we got another – with a Long Kelvin hat-trick sealing a vital three points.
There has been more doom and gloom than should necessarily be the case for the situation we’re in (we have a genuine shot at reaching the playoffs), but there wasn’t much of it on Saturday.
Here’s how the fans reacted to the game…
Kelvin E is on our minds
He’s had a tough time of it in recent weeks. In reality, he’s had a pretty tough first-team career; he’s a player with huge raw talent, but for a number of reasons it’s never quite clicked on a consistent basis.
Saturday was his best afternoon in a Reading shirt – it was his day, and I don’t think he’s had that before now.
Hopefully it’s the kind of game that gives him the world of confidence. It definitely should be…
Loved Kelvin E’s second goal today. The other two we know he’s got that finish in him but seeing him throw himself over a defender like that, the desire to score in those areas is something he’s lacked. Want to see more of it.
#ReadingFC
— Alex Sheppard (@Alex_Shep_Urzz)
March 7, 2026
KELVIN LONG NAME
#readingfc
— Ed (@VivaLaBorat)
March 7, 2026
Fair play to Kelvin E. Gets the same amount of stick, if not more, than Paddy Lane.
Bangs a hatrick. Celebrates. Gets on with it.
#Readingfc
— Ellis (@Ellis5076281381)
March 7, 2026
Really happy for Kelvin E, isn’t the most consistent player but has given us some great moments since relegation.
Hoping he can kick on from here!
#readingfchttps://t.co/MGbpy51pht
— Adam (@adamrfc17)
March 7, 2026
Fair play to Kelvin, I didn’t think he had that in him. Can he be consistent and billd on this? If so, he could really be a top player at this level! Let’s hope this gives him some confidence to kick on
#readingfc
— Matt Painter (@Mattpainter21)
March 7, 2026
Kelvin Threehibhatiomhan, am I right?
#readingfc
— Anthony Kendrick (@AJKendrick)
March 7, 2026
Well chuffed for Kelvin, he hasn't had it easy but he's a youth player who's committed to the club and hopefully reaching his potential now.
Just need to finish top half (8) in the champ next season and we're in the PREM inside two seasons. EIEIO
#readingfc
— Brother Teresa (@Sparkszilla13)
March 7, 2026
Will eat my hat on that one. We are still a stressful watch but v happy for long Kelvin, he needed that
#readingfc
— londonroyal89 (@stixflix06)
March 7, 2026
In fairness they were all very simple goals for Kelvin E today from Luton errors but you've got to be in the right place to score them. If that was Marriott we'd all be saying brilliant positioning and neat finishes, so fair play to him. Could be the boost he needs!
#readingfc
— Tom Maynard (@ttmaynard)
March 7, 2026
Kelvin Osemudiamen Ehibhatiomhan.
️
️
️
Stick at home, hat trick away. Superb.
#readingfc
— Greg Double (@Dubstep1988)
March 7, 2026
Matt Ritchie
Another player who’s come in for his fair share of criticism is Matt Ritchie. It was his goal that won the game last weekend against Bradford City, and two assists on Saturday – the first of which was particularly good – won the game for us.
He’s perhaps not able to have as much of a prominent role in the first team as we may have expected when he signed, but a few more cameos like this one between now and the end of the season would keep the fans pleased…
Obviously Big Kelv gets all the plaudits and rightly so, but huge shout out to Matt Ritchie, he might not have the legs anymore but that premier league class on the ball has changed the game in our favour again.
#readingfc
— Moonraker Royal (@BradSRay)
March 7, 2026
Ritchie phenomenal
#readingfc
— mitch (@mitchrfc1)
March 7, 2026
Matt Ritchie literally can’t run, but you don’t need to when you can pass like that!
#readingfc
— L (@notrating1)
March 7, 2026
Also Ritchie’s pass for the second was mucky
#readingfc
— londonroyal89 (@stixflix06)
March 7, 2026
Matt ritchie changed that game off the bench, kelvin class
#readingfc
— rfczack (@rfczxck)
March 7, 2026
Matt Ritchie is doing exactly what he should be doing. Coming off the bench 20/30 mins and making an impact. Hes had his stick but he’s a solid squad player. Also Derrick Williams what a player. Kelvin E FairPlay. Patton another brilliant performance of the bench.
#readingfc
— Cameron (@ronniemac93)
March 7, 2026
Matt Ritchie once again was a super sub.
I am genuinely baffled how people are still complaining about him.
At 36 years old, he is still able to change a game. His experience has helped us so much. He knows how to win games and get promoted.
#ReadingFCpic.twitter.com/25zt1eN1Mj
— Reading FC (@bluewhitewall)
March 7, 2026
An away day for the ages
As mentioned at the top of this article, sometimes you just get an away day for the ages, and this was definitely one of them (no, I’m not salty that I went to the Port Vale game but missed this and the Bradford matches, honestly).
But, genuinely, I’m so happy for all the fans in that Kenilworth away end. These are the moments we live for.
The jubilation spilled from the stand into social media too…
Sure I injured my knee celebrating the third goal. Proper away day that was
#readingfc
— Hann (@hannlous)
March 8, 2026
absolute scenes best away end in a long time!
massive game on Tuesday
Up the ding
#readingfcpic.twitter.com/Cx7b1REyOv
— Kai Smith (@SmithKai35371)
March 7, 2026
YESSSSSSSSSSSS – ABSOLUTE SCENES IN LUTON
#ReadingFChttps://t.co/WRPBIFJRSu
— Noz (@Nozzzaaaa)
March 7, 2026
Amazing away win, almost worth conceding to get moments like that when you comeback!
#Readingfc
— Kathryn Sohachevsky (@sohachevsky)
March 7, 2026
Wow, what a day.. incredible win.
Can’t believe it tbh
#Readingfcpic.twitter.com/Jp5h11HZQb
— DingGeorge (@GeorgeB22998154)
March 7, 2026
2 games in a row, 2 late goals for the win. And this is after going 2 upfront. Please start it and don’t be negative from the start. Unreal away end
#readingfc
— Owen Atkins (@owen_atki)
March 7, 2026
Conclusion
A win against Mansfield Town on Tuesday gets us into the playoffs, so it’s a huge opportunity to make something special of what’s been a very odd season.
However, with games like this, you kind of just have to enjoy the moment for as long as it lasts. A 3-2 win away at a playoff rival after being 2-1 down in the 80th minute, with a hat-trick from Ehibhatiomhan, is something to cherish.
It’s crazy how fickle a sport football is, and how the narrative can change so quickly and dramatically, but there is a real chance for us to make something of this season now. Let’s see if the players can make it happen.
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