Reading 2 (Bennett 22, Pearce 48)
Bolton 0

The Royals have been crowned Barclays Premier Reserve League national champions after a 2-0 home win over Bolton tonight.

Alan Bennett & Alex Pearce scored the goals, securing us a trophy that has been won by Manchester United for the past two years.

Pearce skippered the side manfully, and he has clearly benefitted from his months on loan at Northampton. Bolton rarely threatened, but whenever they did get forward they found Adam Federici in impeccable form.

We lifted the trophy in front of 4,172 fans, with champagne and fireworks matching a superb achievement by our players, ably led by Brian McDermott and Nigel Gibbs.

Read below for a report of the game, as well as details of the post-match celebrations.

Reading: Federici; Halls, Kelly, Bennett, Pearce (c); Davies, Osano (Sigurdsson 76), Henry, Bozanic; S Cox, Robson-Kanu
Subs: Andersen, Spence, P Cox, Hateley

Bolton: Al-Habsi; Gbermie, Jamieson, Augustyn, Fojut (c); Cassidy, Sissons, Basham (Thompson 50), Wolfe (Brooks 50); Obadeyi, Wolze (Sheridan 57)
Subs: Kazimierczak, Ellis

Ref: Howard Webb

Attendance; 4,172

First half
The game started with a good tempo as both teams settled on a wet surface that was conducive to fast and flowing football.

Although there was plenty of good play, chances were at a premium until Reading opened the scoring from the first real effort on target.

With 22 minutes gone we won a corner on the right. It was overhit, but Alan Bennett showed great feet to keep the ball in, and that piece of skill won us a flag kick on the left.

James Henry whipped in a great delivery, and Bennett powered home a header from six yards for his first goal in a Reading shirt.

It was obvious from his celebrations just how much it meant to him, and skipper Alex Pearce also led the way as our players rejoiced in the vital opening goal.

Reading continued to dominate possession, but they had to thank Adam Federici for two excellent saves just before the break.

First a rasping low free kick saw him get down brilliantly, and then he was up sharply to deny the rebound.

We almost had a second in injury time, but Henry was denied at the near post after an excellent left footed effort from the edge of the area.

Second half
Bolton made two substitutions very early in the second half, but the changes did not help them in the slighest as they fell further behind on 48 minutes.

The goal again came from a corner, and this time Oliver Bozanic was the provider.

His left footed inswinger was powerfully met by Pearce for an almost carbon copy of our opener.

The very impressive Pearce captained the side impeccably, and he has returned from his loan at Northampton with an added maturity and presence.

Scott Davies was very influential in the centre of midfield, displaying an excellent range of pass as well as an eye for the tackle.

His lovely reverse ball found Henry on 55 minutes, but the winger couldn't produce the finish.

Bolton made their third and final change before the hour, and they almost earned an immediate dividend.

Tom Brooks sprung the offside trap, and it looked for all the world like he would just stroke home. However Federici was out superbly, and made a double save to maintain his clean sheet.

Another excellent raking pass from Davies gave Bozanic a sight of goal on 65, but the Australian winger shot straight at Ali Al-Habsi.

Curtis Osano was forced off injured with 14 minutes to go, and Federici continued to be an immoveable force in the Reading goal as Bolton tried in vain to push forward.

Reading played out the final moments of the game comfortably, and the victory was greeted with a huge cheer while the players & staff hugged and shook hands.

Celebrations
League sponsors Barclays erected a huge podium in front of the north stand, and it was certainly worth the wait as our players patiently stood in the centre circle.

First Howard Webb and his group of officials went up for a handshake from league representatives and Chairman John Madejski, then Bolton were offered commiserations.

Led by skipper Pearce, our boys took their rightful place on the podium, and there were huge fireworks as they lifted the shield.

Nobody was quite expecting such an incredible fanfare - the noise & heat from the fireworks and ticker tape put a few frighteners on anyone who strayed a little bit too close!

The players and staff then danced for joy while posing for more photos and spraying champagne, and they soaked up applause from the east and west stands on a lap of honour.

Our players were absolutely delighted with the silverware, and more than a few shirts were thrown into the crowd!

Everyone was coated in champagne, and celebrations continued into the dressing room, where Brian McDermott got drenched and Chairman John Madejski gave a rousing congratulatory speech.