Hunt Off the Mark

Noel Hunt got off the mark with a brace as the Royals ended their tour of Sweden with a three successive victories.

The £600,000 signing from Dundee United came on at half-time and netted twice to preserve Reading`s 100% pre-season record as they beat Swedish top-flight side Halmstads 3-1.

It`s seven wins in seven games for the Royals now as they go into their final pre-season game at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Although they are only friendlies, Reading boss Steve Coppell was pleased to continue the winning streak.

He said: “Winning can`t harm us. Halmstads are a decent outfit in the top division and again we forced the pace of the game.

“We maintained the speed of the game against a side who are in the middle of their season. They are a very able side.

“I am happy with the tone of the tour. There has been a good atmosphere and it is coming together quite nicely. We look okay and now have a difficult game to look forward to on Saturday.”

It took the Royals 73 minutes to edge in front against the Swedes, when Kevin Doyle was gifted a goal following some comical goalkeeping from Magnus Bahne in the Halmstads goal.

Reading made it 2-0 a minute later when Noel Hunt bagged his first goal for his new club as he prodded in from close range.

Halmstads pulled one back through Alexander Prent with 11 minutes to go, but Hunt rounded of the scoring with just three minutes left as his header went in off the crossbar.







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