Reading cruise past Cobblers

Reading beat a valiant Northampton side 3-0 at Sixfield`s as the Royals collected their 2nd pre-season victory.

It was a team that saw both academy prospects Jake Taylor and Jordan Obita start, with Jay Tabb playing at right-back and he almost made the worse possible start as he lost the ball to Michael Jacobs, who just fired wide after running through.

It took the Royals a while to get going as Northampton were the team looking most likely to score, with Michael Jacobs looking very lively.

Reading`s first decent effort came on 25 minutes from star striker Shane Long, who tested Cobblers keeper Walker into a good save.

However, the best chance of the game fell for the Championship side as the youngsters combined as Jordan Obita headed down for Jake Taylor, only for the Welsh U21 international to blaze over when it should have been 1-0.

Reading did soon break the deadlock though seconds before half time. Hal Robson-Kanu drifted down the wing and put in a delightful flighted cross for Long to plant a 12-yard header past the Cobblers keeper.

The Royals started the half well and won a penalty through Mikele Leigiertwood as John Johnson brought the midfielder down. As per usual, Long stepped up and dispatched the penalty confidently.

Just minutes later, Northampton should have reduced the deficit, after Akinfenwa’s good work set up Robinson who blazed over the bar.

The Berkshire club then did put the game to bed, as winger Robson-Kanu held off the Cobblers defence, before slotting home from a tight angle to make it 3-0.

Reading then made 8 substitutions on 60 minutes that also saw the entrance of former player Ibrahima Sonko who is on trial and to the obvious delight of the away support.

There were not many chances soon after despite a neat one-two between Howard and McAnuff, led to the captain firing wide.

Overall, it was a very successful 90 minutes for the Royals against a decent League two outfit who weren`t afraid to play some neat football despite hardly bothering Alex McCarthy in the Reading goal.

Reading team: McCarthy, Morrison (Gunnarsson), Pearce (Sonko), Tabb, Harte (Cummings), Leigertwood (Howard), Taylor, Obita (McAnuff), Kebe (Antonio), Long (Bignall), Robson-Kanu (Manset)

Substitutes: Cummings, Sonko, Gunnarsson, Antonio, Karacan, Howard, McAnuff, Bignall, Manset