Reading 2 Bolton Wanderers 1
FIRST-HALF strikes from Lucas Piazon and Danny Williams secured Reading a first win in six games to help lift some of the pressure off boss Steve Clarke.
A first victory since a 1-0 triumph over Charlton Athletic here at Madejski Stadium back in mid October also pushed the side back up to seventh in the standings, where they sit just a point outside of the play-off places.
But is also ends a roller coaster week at the club on a satisfactory note.
Clarke had come under fire from some sections of the Royals support for wishing to speak with Fulham about their vacant manager’s position, only to turn the job down having decided he is better suited in Berkshire.
All eyes, therefore, were on the home dugout once the two teams emerged before kick-off, but there was to be no animosity towards the manager, although he may need more wins and improved performances if all is to be forgotten.
Clarke made four changes to the side beaten 2-0 at Cardiff City last time out, naming the fit-again captain Paul McShane, Lucas Piazon, Danny Williams and Garath McCleary in his starting XI.
Dropping to the bench was Ola John and Matej Vydra, who was only rated 50/50 having trained very little over the past two weeks due to a knee complaint, while Anton Ferdinand and Alex Fernandez missed out completely- although the latter was due to the quota of on-loan players permitted in any matchday squad.
It was another attacking-minded side picked by the manager, but they found themselves under the cosh during the early exchanges as Wanderers asked all the questions.
Neil Lennon’s struggling charges arrived in Berkshire having netted just 10 times in the league all season, yet could have been two or three goals to the good inside the opening 15 minutes.
But they were unable to find a way past former Trotter Ali Al Habsi, who was in unstoppable form.
He did well to keep out a Shola Ameobi header from point-blank range, with Neil Danns sending the rebound into the side netting.
Al Habsi was called back into action just minutes later, rushing out to thwart Mark Davies after the visitors had carved Royals open with a neat move through the middle.
The loose ball again fell the way of a Bolton player, but the chance was a difficult one, with Liam Feeney acrobatically screwing the ball wide.
Remaining under the cosh, Darren Pratley was next to go close as the guests continued to knock at the door.
Climbing highest to win a header, the winger nodded the ball goalwards – but was again unable to find a way past the Oman international, who palmed the attempt away for a corner.
The opportunity of real note for Reading during this time fell to Nick Blackman, but his effort from range lacked the required power to beat Ben Amos in the Bolton goal, who scooped up the ball with little trouble.
Another chance dropped the way of McShane from a corner, but he had no time to position himself correctly, with his pop shot flying harmlessly over the bar.
Royals, though, through Oliver Norwood and Williams in particular, were beginning to take a grip on the game.
Yet passing the ball around with intent, they were unable to work their way through a stubborn Wanderers defence.
Through persistence from Piazon and a huge stroke of luck, however, it was the hosts who would break the deadlock on 28 minutes.
Appearing to be under little pressure, defender Prince Gouano went to clear his lines, but upon playing the ball found Piazon snapping at his heels.
The full-back’s clearance clattered straight into the recalled midfielder, with Piazon going on to win a foot race between himself, Gouano and Amos, where he poked the ball beyond the keeper and into the corner.
Reading would again burst forward from the restart.
Engineering the move was Garath McCleary, who had opponent Jose Casado under all sorts of trouble throughout the game.
And it was the same player who was nutmegged by the Jamaica international as he drove to the byline. His low centre was cleared, but only to Norwood, whose first-time drive from the edge of the box was blocked.
Williams, meanwhile, was enjoying a productive return to the side, making numerous tackles and interceptions, while also looking a threat when going forward.
And it was from a driving run when he doubed the lead in the 32nd minute.
With acres of space to run into, the America international powered forward before picking his spot and sending a driving effort from some 20 yards beyond the reach of Amos and into the corner.
Now attacking at will, another opportunity was to land at the feet of Norwood who, following another flowing Royals move, was to let fly from the edge of the box.
The strike was on target, but it required a smart stop from Amos to prevent his side falling further behind, with the former Manchester United stopper turning away a stinging strike for a corner.
Piazon, from another gorgeous McCleary centre, could only send a header into the side netting soon after, but having come through a difficult start to the fixture, the hosts went in at the break two goals to the good.
Bolton would again start the session brightly, but saw little reward for their attacking endeavour, although Reading comfortably dealt with whatever was thrown at them.
Yet they were caught out from one cross chipped in from the left – and almost pegged back.
Ameobi wriggled away from his marker and met the centre. His header had the beating of Al Habsi, but was to bounce back of the crossbar.
It was the closest either side, at this point in the half, had come to grabbing the next goal, but it was enough to force Clarke into a change, as Jordan Obita entered proceedings, with Piazon making way.
Williams opened up from distance, but was off target, and Blackman forced Amos into a save from a awkward chance, but Reading, despite losing their sting a little in the final third, were still in full control.
Keen to close the game out, Clarke now threw on another defender Jake Cooper, who replaced the impressive McCleary, but the youngster had barely taken his place on the field when Bolton were awarded a penalty.
Good work from Pratley saw him work his way into the box, where he looked to offload to a team-mate, but in doing so was wiped out by Norwood.
The referee was well sighted and needed little time to point to the spot, where Feeney grabbed a lifeline for the visitors, albeit via the hand of Al Habsi, who could only help the spot kick into the net in the 80th minute.
The nerves were now starting to sweep across the stadium too as Royals found themselves under pressure as Wanderers threw bodies – and balls – into the box.
A panicked home side were also becoming sloppy and wasteful with possession, while a surging break forward led by WIlliams and Blackman was ended by an offside flag.
Bolton continued to pour forward in search of an equaliser, yet the only real chance to try and level the scores fell to defender Casado who, after a few touches on the edge of the box to make some space, failed to produce the necessary conviction needed to beat Al Habsi.
Vydra was introduced during the latter stages of the five minutes added on at the end by the match officials, but his side held out to secure a welcome three points.
Reading: Al Habsi, Gunter, Taylor, McShane (c), Norwood, Hector, Sa, McCleary (Cooper), Piazon (Obita), Blackman (Vydra), Williams.
Subs: Bond, Hurtado, John, Liburd.
Bolton Wanderers: Amos, Gouano, Vela, Feeney, Spearing (Clayton), Davies (Heskey), Danns, Casado, Pratley (c), Ameobi (Madine), Wheater.
Subs: Rachubka, Dervite, Wilson, Twardzik
Attendance: 16,420 (571 away)
