Royals fire eight past Irish side

Hat tricks from Adam Le Fondre and Jay Tabb helped Reading to a 8-1 victory over Irish side Bray Wanderers in a friendly yesterday afternoon.

Royals boss Brian McDermott decided to organise this friendly last week, due to the postponement of the Sunderland fixture. McDermott decided to give a chance to some of his fringe players in the friendly game, with the likes of Alex McCarthy, Shaun Cummings, Nicky Shorey, Jay Tabb and Noel Hunt playing the full 90 minutes.

However, the Premier League side did not start in the best of fashions, going behind on 12 minutes to Bray, thanks to a Jason Bryne header. An equaliser was on the cards and came after Adam Le Fondre won and scored a penalty, with Irish defender Alex Pearce scoring soon after from a Danny Guthrie corner.

Midfielder Jem Karacan added a third to the scoreline, slamming home after Le Fondre’s cross deflected nicely into his path. After the half time interval, the unlikely source Jay Tabb managed to put his name on the scoresheet after arriving late into the box. Alfie then scored his second of the game, finishing well with his left foot.

Unlikely as it may have seemed for Tabb to score one, he added a second to his name soon after, tapping home from 5 yards. Le Fondre then bagged his hat trick with 4 minutes to play, shaping a shot for himself and going through the keepers grasp. Despite this, Irishman Tabb managed to get his trio of goals after rounding the keeper well.

Reading: McCarthy, Cummings, Pearce, Morrison, Shorey, Guthrie, Karacan, Tabb, McAnuff, Hunt, Le Fondre