Report: Royals see off Wolves
Posted on: Wed 28 Jul 2010
Reading 2 (Sigurdsson 10 (pen), Antonio 72)
Wolves 1 (Jones 79)
The Royals notched up an impressive 2-1 win over Premier League outfit Wolves on Tuesday evening, goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and young Michail Antonio earning a fully-deserved victory at Madejski Stadium.
Reading were particularly impressive in the first half and Jimmy Kebe was rampant, winning an early penalty that Sigurdsson lashed home with aplomb. After seeing two spot kicks saved in pre-season, the Icelander showed superb nerve and gave the visiting 'keeper absolutely no chance.
We could have had plenty more goals before the break, Alex Pearce going close twice in quick succession and Wolves having to see off a number of dangerous breaks - almost all of them involving Kebe as our desire to get the ball out to the flanks was clear for all to see.
It was Jimmy's replacement who doubled our advantage, Michail Antonio stealing in at the back post to slide home sub Noel Hunt's flick on. Former Tooting & Mitcham man Antonio was delighted to score his first Reading goal, while Noel was also very pleased to continue his comeback with another assist, and received a great ovation when he came on.
David Jones then pulled one back after a quick free kick, and we defended well in the final stages to ensure victory on an enjoyable evening.
There were plenty of familiar faces in the opposition ranks, and Kevin Doyle received a hero's welcome before the game. Injury prevented Marcus Hahnemann from making the trip, but Stephen Hunt was here and it was a friendly game in the truest sense as we renewed old acquaintances.
But make no mistake, this was a serious fixture and we were delighted to win against a top flight side, putting in an impressive, positive performance that brings the start of the npower Championship season that little bit closer.
Reading (4-2-3-1): Federici (McCarthy 77); Griffin, Williams, Mills (c), Pearce; Gunnarsson (Tabb 61), Karacan (Church 77); Kebe (Antonio 61), McAnuff (Robson-Kanu 72), Sigurdsson (Taylor 52) ; Long (Hunt 72)
Sub: Howard
Wolves (4-4-2): Ikeme; Foley (Zubar HT), Elokobi, Batth (Winnall 82), Stearman (Hill 61); Guedioura (Halford 70), Henry (c) (Davis 82), Milijas (Jones HT), Hemmings (Jarvis HT); Doyle (Fletcher HT), Vokes (Ebanks-Blake HT)
Subs: McCarey, Keogh
Attendance: 6,628 (813)
Ref: I Williamson
First Half
There was a great atmosphere around Madejski Stadium as the two teams entered the fray, with supporters clearly grateful to renew acquaintances with their beloved Royals. Naturally Kevin Doyle received a wonderful ovation shortly before kick-off, setting the tone for an evening of football played out in good spirit.
There was of course no lack of competitiveness, and some great hassling from the home side granted Brian McDermott's charges a lead early on. A slip up in the Wolves backline allowed the lively Jimmy Kebe to nip in, and although it initially looked like the Malian had been crowded out - he was obstructed enough for referee Mr Williamson to point to the spot.
Naturally Gylfi Sigurdsson was the man to step up, for what was remarkably his fourth penalty of the pre-season campaign. The ice-cool Icelander had seen two spot kicks saved in the past ten days, but showed no mercy on this occasion as he emphatically smashed home from twelve yards.
Reading's player of the season was showing no signs of a dip in his prolific form as the game progressed, and saw a trademark long range drive just about held by Carl Ikeme in the Wolves goal 24 minutes in.
Mick McCarthy's Premier League visitors naturally looked dangerous when afforded too much room in the box, a fact proved when Adlene Guedioura smashed a shot wide on the turn.
It was the men in blue and white making most of the headway however, and our wing play, pace and dynamism was making life very hard for the visitors.
Alex Pearce came agonisingly close to doubling the lead with 15 minutes remaining in the half. The imposing centre half rose brilliantly to crack a bullet header towards goal from Sigurdsson's corner kick, but was denied by an impressive reflex save from Ikeme - before seeing his own follow up effort loop over the bar.
A towering header from Pearcey isn't an unusual sight at Madejski Stadium, but a similar nod towards goal from Jimmy Kebe is certainly a collector's item. However the Reading number 14 did just that, diverting wide a Jobi McAnuff centre moments later, as Reading were forced to settle for a one goal advantage at the break.
Half Time
Despite making five changes at the break, including the removal of returning hero Kevin Doyle, Wanderers came out with attacking intentions - as new man Steven Fletcher clipped a header over the bar from a well worked set piece.
One Academy product made way for another seven minutes in as Sigurdsson was replaced by rising star Jake Taylor, and the youngster made an immediate impact as he tested Ikeme with a curling drive after more persistence from Kebe.
Noel Hunt was the next to be introduced as the striker, watched from the stands by brother Stephen, made his Madejski Stadium return from injury to another rousing ovation from the home support.
He wasn't given the chance to milk the crowd for too long however, as Michail Antonio stole the limelight by doubling his side's lead. A lethal delivery from the right hand side proved nigh on impossible to defend for the visitors, allowing the winger to steal in and toe poke home after Hunt's flick.
Mick McCarthy's side did briefly rally as they caught the Royals out with a quick, short free-kick - allowing David Jones to drive home past substitute Alex McCarthy. However the home side proved to be resilient as the minutes ticked by, and failed to bypass the Reading backline in the closing stages.
Substitute Simon Church came close to restoring a two goal lead in injury time as he flicked Taylor's cross towards goal, but saw his effort fly narrowly wide of the post.
All in all it was a noteworthy exercise for McDermott's men, and they appear to be in great shape heading into their final pre-season test at Southampton this coming weekend.
Wolves 1 (Jones 79)
The Royals notched up an impressive 2-1 win over Premier League outfit Wolves on Tuesday evening, goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and young Michail Antonio earning a fully-deserved victory at Madejski Stadium.
Reading were particularly impressive in the first half and Jimmy Kebe was rampant, winning an early penalty that Sigurdsson lashed home with aplomb. After seeing two spot kicks saved in pre-season, the Icelander showed superb nerve and gave the visiting 'keeper absolutely no chance.
We could have had plenty more goals before the break, Alex Pearce going close twice in quick succession and Wolves having to see off a number of dangerous breaks - almost all of them involving Kebe as our desire to get the ball out to the flanks was clear for all to see.
It was Jimmy's replacement who doubled our advantage, Michail Antonio stealing in at the back post to slide home sub Noel Hunt's flick on. Former Tooting & Mitcham man Antonio was delighted to score his first Reading goal, while Noel was also very pleased to continue his comeback with another assist, and received a great ovation when he came on.
David Jones then pulled one back after a quick free kick, and we defended well in the final stages to ensure victory on an enjoyable evening.
There were plenty of familiar faces in the opposition ranks, and Kevin Doyle received a hero's welcome before the game. Injury prevented Marcus Hahnemann from making the trip, but Stephen Hunt was here and it was a friendly game in the truest sense as we renewed old acquaintances.
But make no mistake, this was a serious fixture and we were delighted to win against a top flight side, putting in an impressive, positive performance that brings the start of the npower Championship season that little bit closer.
Reading (4-2-3-1): Federici (McCarthy 77); Griffin, Williams, Mills (c), Pearce; Gunnarsson (Tabb 61), Karacan (Church 77); Kebe (Antonio 61), McAnuff (Robson-Kanu 72), Sigurdsson (Taylor 52) ; Long (Hunt 72)
Sub: Howard
Wolves (4-4-2): Ikeme; Foley (Zubar HT), Elokobi, Batth (Winnall 82), Stearman (Hill 61); Guedioura (Halford 70), Henry (c) (Davis 82), Milijas (Jones HT), Hemmings (Jarvis HT); Doyle (Fletcher HT), Vokes (Ebanks-Blake HT)
Subs: McCarey, Keogh
Attendance: 6,628 (813)
Ref: I Williamson
First Half
There was a great atmosphere around Madejski Stadium as the two teams entered the fray, with supporters clearly grateful to renew acquaintances with their beloved Royals. Naturally Kevin Doyle received a wonderful ovation shortly before kick-off, setting the tone for an evening of football played out in good spirit.
There was of course no lack of competitiveness, and some great hassling from the home side granted Brian McDermott's charges a lead early on. A slip up in the Wolves backline allowed the lively Jimmy Kebe to nip in, and although it initially looked like the Malian had been crowded out - he was obstructed enough for referee Mr Williamson to point to the spot.
Naturally Gylfi Sigurdsson was the man to step up, for what was remarkably his fourth penalty of the pre-season campaign. The ice-cool Icelander had seen two spot kicks saved in the past ten days, but showed no mercy on this occasion as he emphatically smashed home from twelve yards.
Reading's player of the season was showing no signs of a dip in his prolific form as the game progressed, and saw a trademark long range drive just about held by Carl Ikeme in the Wolves goal 24 minutes in.
Mick McCarthy's Premier League visitors naturally looked dangerous when afforded too much room in the box, a fact proved when Adlene Guedioura smashed a shot wide on the turn.
It was the men in blue and white making most of the headway however, and our wing play, pace and dynamism was making life very hard for the visitors.
Alex Pearce came agonisingly close to doubling the lead with 15 minutes remaining in the half. The imposing centre half rose brilliantly to crack a bullet header towards goal from Sigurdsson's corner kick, but was denied by an impressive reflex save from Ikeme - before seeing his own follow up effort loop over the bar.
A towering header from Pearcey isn't an unusual sight at Madejski Stadium, but a similar nod towards goal from Jimmy Kebe is certainly a collector's item. However the Reading number 14 did just that, diverting wide a Jobi McAnuff centre moments later, as Reading were forced to settle for a one goal advantage at the break.
Half Time
Despite making five changes at the break, including the removal of returning hero Kevin Doyle, Wanderers came out with attacking intentions - as new man Steven Fletcher clipped a header over the bar from a well worked set piece.
One Academy product made way for another seven minutes in as Sigurdsson was replaced by rising star Jake Taylor, and the youngster made an immediate impact as he tested Ikeme with a curling drive after more persistence from Kebe.
Noel Hunt was the next to be introduced as the striker, watched from the stands by brother Stephen, made his Madejski Stadium return from injury to another rousing ovation from the home support.
He wasn't given the chance to milk the crowd for too long however, as Michail Antonio stole the limelight by doubling his side's lead. A lethal delivery from the right hand side proved nigh on impossible to defend for the visitors, allowing the winger to steal in and toe poke home after Hunt's flick.
Mick McCarthy's side did briefly rally as they caught the Royals out with a quick, short free-kick - allowing David Jones to drive home past substitute Alex McCarthy. However the home side proved to be resilient as the minutes ticked by, and failed to bypass the Reading backline in the closing stages.
Substitute Simon Church came close to restoring a two goal lead in injury time as he flicked Taylor's cross towards goal, but saw his effort fly narrowly wide of the post.
All in all it was a noteworthy exercise for McDermott's men, and they appear to be in great shape heading into their final pre-season test at Southampton this coming weekend.
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