Reading suffer first loss of pre-season

Nigel Adkins witnessed his side lose their first game of preseason, to League One outfit Bristol City, 1-0.

It was a strong team named by the Royals boss, a side that probably won’t differ much from the starting XI that will face Ipswich on Saturday 3rd August. Sam Baldock had an early chance on goal, after Gorkss got the wrong side of the forward, but he placed it wide.

Jobi McAnuff had the best chance in the first half for Reading, but City keeper Fielding was quick off his line to block the captain’s effort. It was a slow tempo game in the first period, with both sides trying to pass the ball short and use the width at Ashton Gate.

The second half, the tempo was raised slightly and the Royals were increasing the pressure. Le Fondre should have done better with an effort, after a fine run and cross by McCleary, while Danny Williams had a shot cleared off the line.

Despite this pressure, the hosts took the lead with a great, flowing move. Greg Cunningham breezed past three players, before the ball was worked into the path of want-away winger Albert Adomah, who made no mistake in firing his ten-yard effort into the roof of the net.

Adkins’ side looked as if they had run out of ideas, but almost snatched a deserved draw, when Nick Blackman’s firm header was cleared off the line. Chris Gunter had a half chance in the dying moments of the game, but smashed the ball over from eight yards.

On the whole, not a great performance, but it was clear our passing game has improved vastly over the summer. Our best performer was probably McCleary, while Bridge and Morrison looked very solid at the back. Drenthe didn’t really get involved much and was subbed at half time.

Williams comes across a very tenacious and committed player, while Guthrie didn’t have his best game by any means. It wouldn’t surprise me if Adkins steps up his striker search in the coming weeks after that performance, neither the Pog or Alfie impressed at all.

Reading: Federici, Gunter, Gorkss, Morrison, Bridge, Karacan, Guthrie, McCleary, McAnuff (c), Drenthe, Le Fondre
Subs: S Taylor, Kelly, Mariappa, Pearce, Cummings, Williams, Akpan, Obita, Blackman, Pogrebnyak