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Reading began their 2022/23 Championship campaign with defeat as Callum Connolly’s ninth minute strike proved to be the difference in Blackpool.
With four debutants in the starting eleven, a new look Royals team made a disappointing start when the hosts pounced on a rebound following Joe Lumley’s strong save.
Reading had chances to respond in the second-half but couldn’t find a cutting edge as they were beaten at Bloomfield Road.
Reading lined up for their first game of the new Championship season with four debutants as Joe Lumley, Nesta Guiness-Walker, Tyrese Fornah and Jeff Hendrick were all named in the starting eleven.
Missing Sam Hutchinson through injury, captain Andy Yiadom reverted as a third centre-back while Junior Hoilett dropped in at right wing-back.
Lucas Joao missed out through injury as did Femi Azeez, Dejan Tetek.and Scott Dann.
That meant that Yakou Meite, who netted four goals in pre-season, was given the nod up top, while Shane Long was only fit enough for a place on the bench.
With plenty of change at Reading, their opening day hosts have endured the same after previous boss Neil Critchley left his post to join Steven Gerrard’s coaching team at Aston Villa.
Michael Appleton was appointed as Blackpool’s new boss to begin his second spell in charge at Bloomfield Road.
Hoilett had to make an early intervention at the back when he headed away a dangerous whipped cross before Blackkpool won the first corner of the day after four minutes.
The hosts had the first shot on goal when Josh Bowler tested Joe Lumley who got across to his near post with a smart stop to push the ball behind.
The Royals keeper then caught the cross from the resulting corner and burst his team into life on the counter attack with a quick throw that saw Tom Ince, Hoilett and Yakou Meite combine to threaten Blackpool’s back line.
Just 10 minutes into the contest, Blackpool took the lead. Lumley made an excellent initial save when he pushed away Bowler’s volley, but he could do nothing about the follow up which dropped for Callum Connolly who fired the ball in.
Needing to find a response after going behind early, Ince stole possession from Blackpool on the halfway line and created an opportunity for himself when he burst towards goal and saw his effort deflected behind for a corner.
A chance came the way of Meite after Jeff Hendrick rolled the ball onto the Ivorian’ left boot, but he scuffed his shot which was comfortably collected by Daniel Grimshaw.
Tom Holmes hit a volley over the bar after the ball fell invitingly for him following Guiness-Walker’s cleared cross.
The half came to a close with neither side creating too much in the way of finding a second goal of the afternoon in the final 15 minutes of the opening 45.
Reading survived an early scare in the second-half when Guiness-Walker surrendered possession cheaply on the edge of his box to Bowler who cut inside and from eight years out his shot kissed the inside of the post before Lumley clutched the rebound.
Just moments later, the Royals came inches away from equalising. Grimshaw came up with two quick saves, first stopping Tom McIntyre’s shot and then he claimed Hoilett’s effort from inside the six-yard bon.
Reading thought they would have the chance for a strike at goal when Ince was hacked down outside the area only for the referee to wave play on much to the bemusement of the visiting players, staff and supporters.
A quickly taken free-kick led to a chance for Hoilett but his chances were scuppered by a tame shot that was held by the keeper.
Ince made his first switch with just under 10 minutes to go as Shane Long came on to replace Ejaria as the Royals searched for a leveller.
When Holmes flicked on a corner into the six yard box it looked poised for a blue and white hooped shirt to tap in, but there was no one positioned to finish from close range.
The away team pushed for a late leveller throughout the five minutes of injury time, but Blackpool held on to claim the points.
Reading host Cardiff City next Saturday in their first home game of the campaign.
The Bluebirds started their season with an impressive home win over promotion favourites Norwich City.
Blackpool: Grimshaw, Connolly, Ekpiteta, Williams Thompson, Virtue, Fiorini, Carey, Bowler, Yates, Madine
Subs: Moore, Dougall, Lavery, Hamilton, Corbeanu, Lubala, Thorniley
Reading: Lumley, Yiadom (c), McIntyre, Holmes, Guinness-Walker, Hoilett, Hendrick, Fornah, Ejaria, Ince, Meite
Subs: Bouzanis, Abrefa, Clarke, Leavy, Scott, Long, Ehibhationmhan
Goals: Connolly 9’
