Reading Academy continues to go from strength to strength, sealing a place in the Under-18s Premier League Cup final following a resounding 3-0 victory over giants Liverpool.
The teenage group, managed by Harrison Gilkes, were under the leadership of club legend Mikele Leigertwood until his step up into the first-team set-up with Noel Hunt.
Despite sitting in the bottom half when it comes to league matches, and dropping out of the FA Youth Cup earlier than previous years, the Premier League Cup has been an exciting journey for the Royals,
Topping a group with Sunderland, West Brom and Blackburn Rovers, Everton were beaten in the quarter-final and on Wednesday, their Merseyside rivals Liverpool were eased aside.
A close first half was followed up by a one-sided second period in which George Booth, Emmanuel Osho and Kyian Coke-Miles-Smith all netted.
The likes of Ashqar Ahmed, Tyler Sackey and Verrell George all featured, with the Academy continuing to shine despite cuts.
West Ham United, who beat Derby County 3-1 in the other semi-final, await in the final.
This success follows on from last year's Under-21 glory, in which the Royals reached the semi-final of the PL2 and qualified for a place in the International Cup.
