Noel Hunt ‘Proud’ Of Reading’s Efforts In Burnley FA Cup Defeat

The Royals held the second-tier Clarets to a 1-1 draw in normal time before an extra-time brace put the visitors into the next round.

The Royals took Championship side Burnley to extra-time in a good performance at the SCL Stadium in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Burnley scored through Lyle Foster in the second half but Lewis Wing netted shortly after to take the tie into extra-time. Burnley added two goals in extra-time through Zian Flemming to secure their place in the fourth round.

Manager Noel Hunt was proud of his side’s performance. He also gave an injury update for Amadou Mbengue. Here is what he had to say, he spoke to the Reading Chronicle.

Hunt on the performance

“I’m very proud of the lads, pushing a top Championship side with loads of quality and international experience. Some of them have more international experience than we have league appearances.

“We took a top team all the way to extra-time, and I think tired legs got us in the end. We have a lot of boys coming back from long-term injury and fighting illness, which we tried to keep quiet, but I’m proud of some of our performances.

“It took us a little bit of time to believe that we could go toe-to-toe. We got a fortunate break where we could speak to them for a few seconds and tell them where we could jump in a little bit more aggressively and make it more our game.

“The boys took it to them well, so I’m really pleased in how we controlled spells of the game. The discipline to hold the pockets, our full-backs not being fully fit, I’m really happy.

“You’re bringing on the top forward in the Championship - Flemming has been outstanding this season. We have Manu coming on at 17 and Tyler Sackey in a different position because they have to do it for the team. I think they all dug deep - Ashqar coming on - and they gave a good account of themselves.

“We don’t want to get beat, I hate getting beat and it makes me feel sick, but there has to be a context to it and a logical look at it from a footballing side and I’m pleased with how a lot of our players performed.”

Hunt on Mbengue injury

“Amadou suffered a knee injury in the Charlton game which we didn’t know about until Monday - he didn’t feel anything until late on Sunday. He was one of the ill ones this week and when we scanned it, it showed up. He’s going to miss six to eight weeks.”