Preview: Bromley vs Reading (Carabao Cup - Round 1)

The decision to start the season with a Carabao Cup fixture is an interesting one, as it makes for a nice halfway house between pre-season and the league campaign.

With the transfer window open until September 3rd, many teams have yet to finalise their close-season business and are still trying to improve their squad. Bromley and Reading are no different in that regard. 

Andy Woodman has overseen an extensive overhaul this summer, working to embed 12 new players and educate them in the club culture and style of play. The manager has been forthright in stating that signing the right players has been an uphill battle this summer, but he isn’t done yet and will continue to pursue new signings until the deadline slams shut. 

Bromley’s 0-7 defeat against QPR notwithstanding (a result of mitigating circumstances), pre-season has been a largely positive exercise in load management and preparation for the new season. To cap it off, the cancellation of Wednesday night’s friendly with Liverpool U21s has blessed the players with a full week to rest and reset before their Carabao Cup fixture.

Beyond the absences of Grant Smith and Deon Woodman, who both suffered injuries in pre-season, Andy will have a full squad to choose from. Even so, it’s anyone’s guess as to what he sees as his first-choice XI at this stage.

Given this is a clash between two League One sides, it represents a good opportunity to gauge where the squad is at ahead of the challenges to come in August and September. 

If Bromley had been drawn against a lower-level League Two opponent, there might have been a temptation to use the tie to test some of the wider squad, but this feels like a game that both sides want/need to win (delete as you see fit).

Assuming Bromley line up in a 4-2-3-1, several questions demand answers.

Marcus Ifill or Chanse Headman? Kamarl Grant straight in? Ashley Charles + who? Ben Thompson or JJ McKiernan? Michael Cheek or Victor Adeboyejo? Andy Woodman will have spent the week mulling over these puzzle pieces.

Of course, the manager could flip the script and go 3-5-2, but given we haven’t seen that shape in pre-season, it might be a stretch.

Reading are naturally favourites for the tie, irrespective of being away from home. 

The Royals have been in League One for three seasons, with manager Leam Richardson in charge since October 2025. The manager led Wigan to the League One title in 2022 so has proven pedigree at the level, and it is that kind of know-how that Reading are hoping to tap into with his appointment.

Up until the final stretch of last season, Richardson’s side looked to have a shot at the League One play-offs, but they fell away and finished in 12th. The expectation this year is that they either maintain a play-off challenge all season or go one better.

Given that this is Richardson’s first pre-season and summer transfer window with the team, he will feel this is his chance to mould them entirely in his image.

The Royals’ pre-season form has been impressive, but that will count for nothing if it cannot be replicated in the cut and thrust of a competitive fixture.

Last weekend, they had a bug in the camp ahead of their friendly with Charlton, which nearly led to them cancelling the friendly (which they won 3-0). It will be interesting to see if there is any hangover when the team steps out onto the turf at Hayes Lane.

To get a better grasp of what the Royals offer, I spoke with the team at Reading’s fan-run media platform RFC Latest (@RFCLatest).

“We’ve only brought in four players so far, but the quality has been high and the targets carefully chosen to strengthen key areas of the squad. The early signs are encouraging, the standard has already been lifted, and with another three to four arrivals likely, there’s every reason to feel optimistic about the finished product.”

“Underachievement. On paper, the squad looked capable of challenging for the play-offs, and for a large stretch of the campaign that was exactly the trajectory we were on. Then came a disastrous 11-game run that ultimately cost us a top-6 finish and left a bitter taste at the end of the season.”

“Anything short of the top six would be viewed as failure. The quality already in the squad, combined with the clear messaging from the owners, coaching staff, and players themselves, has set a firm promotion-or-bust tone.”

“We’ll always try to progress as far as possible in any competition, but the League Cup sits some way behind both the league and the FA Cup in importance. 

“The early rounds usually serve as a useful chance to rotate and give fringe players valuable minutes. That said, this weekend’s tie feels a little different as both sides are likely to field strong line-ups, and it represents a valuable opportunity to build early momentum ahead of the opening League One fixture.”

“It’s a close call between two of the division’s best players, Lewis Wing and Jack Marriott, but fitness permitting, we’d edge it for Marriott. 

“Last season, his every touch seemed to carry a goal threat, and had he stayed fit he would almost certainly have finished as the league’s top scorer. Don’t let him get the ball anywhere near your goal!”

Well, Bromley can’t say they haven’t been warned, and the words of the team at RFC Latest echo my suspicion that both teams will field strong sides and go all-out for the win.

Should this tie finish level on the day, it will go straight to penalties, as it did last season when Bromley eliminated Championship side Ipswich in front of Ed Sheeran. Just thinking out loud.

From Bromley with Love XI

George

Ifill Grant Sowunmi Mendy

Charles Conteh

Archer McKiernan Pinnock

Cheek