READING opened their account in the EFL Trophy by thrashing League One high flyers Exeter City with an astounding performance.
The Royals were in fine form in front of goal as an early goal from Tom McIntyre after three minutes set the tone before an own goal doubled the lead.
Reading turned on the style in the second-half as doubles from Paul Mukairu and Dom Ballard as well as strikes from Caylan Vickers, Ben Elliott and Taylan Harris completed a phenomenal scoreline.
Facing off against the side at the summit of the League One table prior to kick-off, there was plenty of youth in the Reading side as expected.
Striker Jayden Wareham was selected to make his first-team debut, while there was a first start for loanee Paul Mukairu.
McIntyre, who was named as captain for the night, gave the visitors an early breakthrough when he connected with Carson’s inswinging free-kick at the back post.
Reading dominated proceedings and could have made it two when Ben Elliott had his shot saved before a goalmouth scramble ensued, which was eventually cleared.
Caylan Vickers came a matter of inches away from getting on the scoresheet after his goalscoring heroics at the weekend against Bolton when his shot clipped the post.
Reading’s dominance paid off in the 32nd minute and Carson had his second assist of the night when Zak Jules diverted his cross into his own net.
A third goal of the night was scored less than 10 minutes after the restart as Mukairu marked his first start in Reading colours by dispatching the ball into the top right corner.
Just four minutes later, Muairu scored again to add his second and Reaidng’s fourth of the night after he was teed up by Vickers.
Reading kept pushing to score more and their clinical nature in front of goal continued as Dom Ballard got off the mark for the club.
Elliott scored to make it six before Taylan Harris added a seventh goal of the night on his first-team debut.
Vickers netted an eighth goal and Ballard claimed his brace to finish off the thrashing.
Selles’ side now prepare to face Blackpool away from home in League One on Saturday.
Exeter City: Woods, Watts, O’Connor, Fitzwater, Jules, Beardmore, Borges, Richards, Taylor, Cox, Scott
Subs: Macdonald, Stanford Daniels, Joce, Oakes, Edgecombe, Cunningham, Culter
Reading: Boyce-Clarke, Carson, McIntyre, Dean, Mbengue, Craig, Rushesha, Mukairu, Elliott, Vickers, Wareham
Subs: Pereira, Knibbs, Ballard, Dorsett, Abrefa, Tuma, Harris
Goals: McIntyre 3’, Jules 32’ (og), Mukairu 56’, 60’, Ballard 67’, 90+6’, Elliott 79’, Harris 85’, Vickers 90’
