Jack Marriott delivered a masterclass in finishing as Reading FC edged a dramatic 3-2 victory over Wycombe Wanderers at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on February 14, 2026. The League One clash saw Marriott net a stunning hat-trick, bringing his season tally to 16 goals and propelling the Royals up the table in front of a raucous home crowd.
It was a day set for drama from the outset. Reading, buoyed by the return to their home ground after three consecutive away fixtures, wasted no time asserting themselves. The hosts started brightly, with Kadon Young—making his debut after replacing Haydon Roberts—showing flashes of pace and promise on the wing. Early pressure paid off in the seventh minute when Marriott pounced on a loose ball, outfoxed Anders Hagelskjaer, and coolly lifted his finish over Wycombe goalkeeper Will Norris. The home fans erupted, sensing something special was brewing.
Wycombe, fresh off a 4-0 thrashing of Doncaster Rovers the previous weekend, weren’t about to roll over. Michael Duff’s side, who have climbed from 19th to 9th in the table since his appointment in September, responded with attacking intent. Junior Quitirna and Luke Harris both tested Reading keeper Joel Pereira, but the Royals’ defense held firm. Quitirna, in particular, had a golden opportunity to level the score after Pereira parried a shot into his path, but the winger blazed his effort over the bar with the net gaping—a moment Wycombe would soon regret.
As the first half wore on, Reading’s midfield, marshaled by Lewis Wing and Charlie Savage, began to dictate play. Marriott doubled the lead just before the break, capitalizing on a defensive error from Dan Harvie to race clear and slot home past Norris. The stadium buzzed at halftime, with the Royals up 2-0 and dreaming of a comfortable afternoon.
But League One rarely follows a script, and Wycombe emerged from the interval with renewed vigor. Within six minutes, they halved the deficit. Aaron Morley whipped in a dangerous free-kick, flicked on by Cauley Woodrow, and Dan Casey was on hand to nod home his third goal for the club. The Chairboys sensed an opening, and the game’s tempo ratcheted up a notch.
Reading manager Leam Richardson, who had made only two changes to his starting XI, watched anxiously as his team struggled to contain Wycombe’s high press. Andy Yiadom, restored to the lineup at right back, was eventually replaced by Ryan Nyambe as the Royals sought to shore up their defense. The visitors continued to probe, and their persistence paid off in the 72nd minute. Hagelskjaer, who had threatened earlier, found space on the edge of the box and rifled a low strike past Pereira to make it 2-2. Suddenly, the momentum appeared to have swung decisively in Wycombe’s favor.
Yet, just as the away fans began to dream of a famous comeback, Marriott struck again. Barely two minutes after conceding the equalizer, Reading pressed high, with Savage winning the ball back in midfield. He fed Marriott, who took one touch before blasting a shot beyond Norris for his third of the afternoon. The hat-trick was met with wild celebrations, the striker’s predatory instincts once again proving decisive.
"It was a fantastic result. We started the game well and maybe we could have managed the game better in the second half. But the work ethic and how we stayed connected was excellent," Richardson told reporters post-match. He was full of praise for Marriott: "Jack has been like that [scoring goals] since he first put on a pair of boots – and he still is. All three goals were different goals but they were Jack Marriott goals. Once he gets a chance and a sight of goal, he’s always on the spot."
Wycombe boss Michael Duff, meanwhile, cut a frustrated figure. "With their first goal, it was us who had a three-on-one. For the second, it was just a disaster. And the third one was even worse because we had just got back in the game. The whole momentum of the game was with us, it was us attacking them. Tactically, we got everything wrong. It’s just not good enough. You have to find a way," Duff admitted. Despite his side’s positive play in possession, defensive errors proved costly.
The closing stages were not without drama. Wycombe pressed for another equalizer, forcing last-ditch clearances from Reading’s backline—including a crucial intervention by Benn Ward, who was later replaced by Finley Burns. Marriott received a standing ovation as he made way for Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan in the dying minutes, his work for the day more than done. The seven minutes of added time were tense, with Wycombe’s Ewan Henderson and Junior Quitirna both coming close, but Reading held on for a vital three points.
The win sees Reading leapfrog Wycombe in the League One table, moving up to seventh place ahead of the 3pm kick-offs. The Royals, now just outside the playoff spots, have put together back-to-back victories after their midweek triumph at Wigan. For Wycombe, the defeat drops them to 11th, with the risk of slipping further once other results come in. They’ll look to regroup ahead of their next fixture against Exeter City.
Marriott’s hat-trick was the story of the afternoon—a display of clinical finishing that reminded everyone why he remains one of the league’s most feared strikers. His 16 goals this season have been crucial to Reading’s resurgence, and with Bolton up next on Tuesday, the Royals will hope their talisman can continue his red-hot form. As the League One playoff race heats up, this result could well prove a turning point in Reading’s campaign.
For now, the Royals can savor a hard-fought win and the emergence of new talent like Kadon Young, while Wycombe are left to rue missed chances and defensive lapses. But with plenty of football still to play, both teams remain firmly in the mix for a top-six finish. Next stop: another pivotal clash under the lights—can Reading keep their momentum rolling?