Reading 1 (S Cox 73)
Blackburn 0

The Royals earned a deserved win over Blackburn in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Hogwood today.

Simon Cox scored a nice goal in the second half, and he was played in expertly by Scott Golbourne for a well-taken finish on the turn.

Dave Kitson and Kalifa Cisse both played the full 90 minutes, while we took a look at a triallist on the left wing for the last half an hour.

16-year-old Korean Nam Taehee played the final ten minutes for his first appearance in a Reading shirt.

Rovers' team included former Liverpool man Stephane Henchoz, and the visitors had their chances in a tight first half, but Adam Federici kept them at bay.

James Henry impressed on the right, putting in some great crosses, including one from which Kitson was disappointed not to score with a header over the bar.

Reading turned the screw after the break, and deserved the victory in front of a watching Steve Coppell.

Video highlights are on Reading World right now.

Reading: Federici; Spence, Golbourne, Halls, Pearce (c); Cisse, Karacan (Sigurdsson 60), Henry (taehee 80), Bozanic (Triallist 60); S Cox, Kitson
Subs: Andersen, P Cox, Dongwon, Wonsik

Ref: D Gallagher

Minute-by-minute
12pm - Kick off

14mins - Blackburn good chance straight at Federici

19mins - Kitson header just over.

21mins - Free kick saved by Federici

29mins - Federici's wonderful throw almost puts Cox in.

31mins - Great play Henry and Bozanic heads at the keeper.

32mins - Good save by Fedders as Rovers looked sure to score.

33mins - Nice play by Henry finds Kitson, who's denied at the last.

35mins - Bozanic volleys wide after more Henry excellence.

37mins - Henry shot blocked and over the bar.

39mins- Karacan robs Henchoz buts shoots wide.

Half time - It's been a lively game, and both teams have had chances to open the scoring. James Henry has been lively for the Royals, against an experience Blackburn defence that includes Stephane Henchoz. Adam Federici has madew a couple of good saves, as well as unleashing a number of great throws to spring attacks, including one 70-yard bomb that almost put Simon Cox in.

49mins - Good Reading pressure but we can't get a shot off.

51mins - Cox shoots over after Bozanic wizardry.

58mins - Wonderful ball from Kits almost puts Cisse in.

60mins - Sigurdsson and a triallist on for Royals.

61mins - Triallist forces a good save with a strong shot.

62mins - Cox is sent 1on1 but is held up and the chance goes.

73mins - Lovely goal for Cox after he's put in by Golbourne. Nice swivelled finish in off the post.

76mins - Good run by Henry but cross is cleared. RFC on top.

80mins - Nam Taehee on for Henry.

85mins - Header from Cisse saved.

89mins - Lovely move from Reading but Taehee's cross is blocked. Reading had 54 touches of the ball without Rovers getting near to it.

FULL TIME - Decent workout for Reading, who deserved to win. The first half was tight, but we dominated after the break and put together some nice moves going forward.