Tanner Can

Tanner made his return to Home Park in their Capital One Cup first round tie against the Gills, after an excellent display at the Theatre of Greens just a few weeks’ previous for Reading’s Under-21 side earned him a loan deal with the Greens.

The 20-year old took full advantage of his opportunity, and put his new side in front after 78 minutes with a sensational goal. Setting himself just inside the area as Kelvin Mellor chipped in an accurate cross, Craig took the ball early and on the full, wrapping his [supposedly weaker] right foot around it and firing into the top corner.

The effort looked sure to give the Greens a memorable win against Sky Bet League 1 opposition, until Bradley Dack and Jake Hessenthaler replied and cruelly nullified the forward’s contribution.

“I thought that one goal was going to win the game – it was that kind of match,” said Adams. “Tanner has taken it out of the sky and put it in the top corner with his right foot. 

“It should’ve been the one that won the match. He’s a dribbler, he’s creative, and you always need a dribbler in your team.

“We’ve got goals in our team, and it was nice to see him score tonight. It wasn’t easy for him, because he had to come on very early in the game, but he got up to speed. It was a magnificent goal.”

Indeed, Tanner began the night on the substitutes’ bench, but was introduced in the first half, as Jake Jervis picked up a knock that forced him to be replaced in the game’s early goings.

“He got a slight groin strain, that’s why he came off,” said Adams, of Jake. “We’ll assess him tomorrow. We don’t know how long it’ll be yet. 

“I’m trying to say hopefully for the weekend but we’ll see. He just went up for a header and felt it as he came down. He started to run about a wee bit after that, but it was important we took him off as quickly as possible.”