Forest Green Rovers 0
Reading 2 (Kebe 12, Karacan 21)

The Royals eked out a 2-0 win over Forest Green Rovers this evening in a pre-season friendly at the New Lawn.

Reading never really found top gear, but as a fitness exercise it was job done against the Blue Square Premier outfit.

Jimmy Kebe turned home his first goal in a Reading shirt on 12 minutes, and Jem Karacan lashed home a good second nine minutes later.

Forest Green played well, but we created the better chances and were denied what looked to be two clear penalties. Leroy Lita had the best chance but shot over from ten yards.

Dave Kitson missed the game through illness, while sub Hal Robson-Kanu was forced off with an injury.

Reading: Hahnemann; Rosenior, Shorey, Bennett, Ingimarsson (c); Karacan, Sigurdsson, Kebe (Spence 81), Convey; Church (Robson-Kanu 59) (Bignall 80), Lita
Subs: Andersen

Rovers: Burton (Pass 81); Baines (Mensah HT), McDonald (Stonehouse HT), Hardiker (Ashford 59), Smith; Jones (Molyneaux 69), Lawless, Fowler (Pitman HT), Shaze (Shaxton 59); Mangan (Symonds 59), Mohamed (Afful HT)

Attendance: 930 (233 free children)

First half
Reading took the lead on 12 minutes as Jimmy Kebe registered his first goal in a Reading shirt. Bobby Convey's corner from the left was worked back out to the American, and his cross found Kebe at the back post, allowing the Frenchman to volley home nicely from eight yards.

Forest Green were playing some nice stuff, and it was harsh on the hosts when they went 2-0 down. An incisive run from Leroy Lita created space in the area, and Kebe's eventual shot was blocked, allowing Jem Karacan to volley home nicely from a couple of yards inside the box.

Reading were not overly fluent in the Gloucestershire evening sunshine, but they came close on the half hour when Nicky Shorey tried a chip after Lita made his presence felt inside the box.

Rovers were pushing for a goal of their own though, and Bobby Convey had to get in a late block to put Ricky Baines' shot into the side netting.

Young left winger Isaac Shaze was impressive for Forest, and he nearly got himself on the scoresheet on 43 after showing quick feet to create the chance.

Second half
Steve Coppell resisted the temptation to make any changes at half time, and we should have had a penalty just a minute after the break, but referee James Cox surprisingly adjudged Kebe to be outside the box when he was scythed down.

Rovers continued to enjoy possession, but Reading created some chances, first when Alan Bennett saw a shot saved after a corner.

Just after the hour we were again denied what looked to be a clear penalty when Lita was brought down by the keeper as he looked set to unleash.

Reading's passing was rather awry, and there was little to report for long periods. Sub Hal Robson-Kanu unfortunately only lasted 20 minutes before succumbing to injury.

Lita had a great chance to make it 3-0 inside the last ten minutes, but shot well off target with the whole goal to aim it.

In the end Reading had to settle for a two-goal win, and while it was not a fluid display, it was a worthwhile exercise and a step closer to full fitness.