Royals thrashed by rampant Forest

Reading suffered a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of high-flying Nottingham Forest, who now sit top of the Championship table.

An injury to Pavel Pogrebnyak meant that Simon Cox was used as a lone striker, while 18-year old Aaron Kuhl made his first professional start. It wasn’t the desired start for the Royals though, as Michail Antonio scored a header at the far post against his former side.

Our best chance of the half fell to the young debutant Kuhl, but his volley in the area was scuffed wide. We finished the half well, but would regret these missed chances, as Antonio scored just two minutes into the second half, as he lurked at the back post again.

The game was put beyond doubt by Matty Fryatt in the 53rd minute, as another cross into our area wasn’t defender and the striker planted his header home. Oliver Norwood came on to make his Royals debut, but couldn’t do anything about Asombalonga scoring a fourth.

A youthful Royals side were very well beaten by Stuart Pearce’s side and despite the youthful outlook of our side, it was still very disappointing. Our injury list is still a long one, but we really need to exploit the loan market in the next few weeks.

Reading – 4-2-3-1: Federci; Gunter, Pearce, Hector, Cummings; Obita, Kuhl; Blackman, Edwards, Taylor; Cox.
Subs: McCarthy, Cooper, Akpan, Norwood, Tshibola, Stacey, Tanner.