Reading 1 Blackburn Rovers 0
A STUNNING strike from Danny WIlliams saw Brian McDermott mark his return to Reading on a winning note.
The midfielder would settle the contest at Madejski Stadium in just the 11th minute, running on to a Hal Robson-Kanu flick on before firing a half volley from an acute angle across Jason Steele and into the top corner.
The American international’s goal would eventually end a run of four defeats for Royals, who also celebrated just a second win in 11 games, but it was still enough to move the side up to 11th in the Championship table ahead of the Christmas period.
It was also the club’s first shut out since the 1-0 success over Charlton Athletic back in October.
Reading were generally in control of proceedings, yet needed a save from Jonathan Bond late on to secure all three points, with the ‘keeper thwarting Fode Koita at the far post as the visitors pushed hard for an equaliser.
McDermott was forced into two changes from the side beaten 2-1 at Hull City in midweek, with defenders Andrew Taylor and Anton Ferdinand, both injured during the game, unable to shake off their respective knocks in time.
Given the absentees, the manager drafted in both Hal Robson-Kanu and Stephen Quinn to his starting XI, with the latter marking his return to the side for the first time since he also picked up an injury during the victory at Bristol City at the end of September.
With McDermott short of options at left-back, it was here where Quinn took his place in the team.
But having received a rapturous round of applause from those present, the former had to watch his side weather an early storm.
And Royals could count themselves lucky not to have fallen behind in the eighth minute, when Michael Hector upended Jordan Rhodes over on the right flank.
Craig Conway whipped over the free-kick, which dropped kindly for an unmarked Koita, but the midfielder, standing some six yards out, was unable to keep his header down.
And the visitors would be left to rue the glaring miss only minutes later, with McDermott holding his hands aloft to celebrate the first goal upon his return to familiar territory.
It was a strike too which will, no doubt, live long in the memory.
Breaking the deadlock was Williams, who chanced his luck to run on to a Robson-Kanu flick on – and duly cashed in.
From an actue angle the midfielder allowed the ball to bounce before flashing a strike across Jason Steele in the Rovers’ goal and into the corner.
The opener came pretty much out of nowhere, but with it arrived the momentum, and for the next few minutes it was all Reading.
One free-kick, conceded by former Royal Hope Akpan, booked for the foul on Norwood, was quickly followed by another when Shane Duffy went in a little too hard on Garath McCleary.
A large section of the home support were bellowing for the red card to be shown, but the defender escaped with just a caution, and the resulting set-piece from over on the left, was cleared.
Williams, again from distance, let fly, but the strike was deflected away for a corner and the chances, although already at a premium, had now all but dried up.
The next effort of note would not arrive until the 42nd minute, and it was one of a few players on show from the previous McDermott era who went close.
But on this occasion it was Akpan, and it required a smart stop from Bond diving to his left which kept out the Blackburn midfielder’s powerful drive on the half volley from some 25 yards.
Rovers would end the half looking the more threatening of the two sides, and another nervy moment arrived when Ben Marshall held up a cross from an inside left position.
The centre made its way to the far post, where Rhodes had managed to peel away from his marker, but was unable to connect and the ball bounced harmlessly out of play.
McDermott did not take long to make his first change of the afternoon, either, with Matej Vydra, who had struggled to make any sort of impact, making way for Lucas Piazon during the break.
And the on-loan forward was quick to get involved, showing some slick touches as Royals began on the offensive.
A bright start to the half saw Williams, alebit via a fortunate touch by the referee, forcing Steele into a save before McCleary was well over from the resulting corner.
A gorgeous ball from Williams over the top then found McCleary, who held up play before slipping in Robson-Kanu on the overlap, but the Welshman’s driven low cross went unpunished.
The same player, from a Piazon lay-off, then worked Steele again, but his curling effort from range was swallowed up by the ‘keeper down low.
McCleary, receiving a pass out wide, then drove inside and went for the near post, but Steel was again equal to the effort.
The hosts were in control and turning the screw.
However, determined work from Conway yielded a chance for Rhodes.
Driving down the right and into the box, the former was eventually held up, but the ball still ended up at the feet of the striker, but he put too much leverage on the strike and the chance ended up clearing Bond’s crossbar.
Only a timely interception from Quinn snuffed out another chance at the far post as Rovers threatened once again.
McDermott then made his second change of the day, withdrawing McCleary for Ola John, and the Dutchman almost made the perfect introduction.
Cutting in from the left, John skipped past a challenge before unleashing a shot which Steele managed to keep out with his legs.
The ball would eventually return to the player, who once again danced past two attempted tackles before having a go from a far tighter angle, but the chance was easy pickings for Steele on this occasion.
Nick Blackman, fresh from ending his goal drought in midweek, was then presented with an opening when Royals working the ball inside from the right.
The striker attempted the daisy cutter, but the shot lacked the necessary conviction.
A beautiful flick from Blackman then sent Piazon on his way, elegantly strolling into the box and towards goal before Grant Hanley got in his way.
Piazon went to ground and promptly appealed for a penalty, but all that was awarded was a goal kick.
Norwood was next to go close for Reading, but his strike from the edge of the box, in a central position, was deflected away for a corner as the home side continued to pose the greater attacking threat.
Yet they had to be alert when Steele pumped a free-kick into the box which, following a couple of flick-ons, fell to Hanley, who had Bond sprawling down to his left to stop his shot on the turn.
And with time running out and having won a corner, Rovers threw everyone – including Steele, forward.
The flag kick was initially cleared, but was quickly lofted back into the box and to Koita at the far post, but his effort was kept out by Bond as Reading desperately held out to get McDermott’s second reign off to the perfect start.
Reading: Bond, Gunter, McShane (c), Hector, Norwood, Quinn, Williams, McCleary (John 69), Robson-Kanu, Blackman, Vydra (Piazon 46).
Subs not used: Al-Habsi, Keown, Sa, Fernandez, Cooper.
Goal: Williams 11.
Booked: Robson-Kanu
Blackburn Rovers: Steele, Henley, Hanley, Koita, Marshall (Lawrence 69), Rhodes, Olsson, Akpan, Duffy, Guthrie (Williamson 70), Conway (Brown 85).
Bookings: Akpan, Duffy, Henley, Hanley.
Subs not used: Spurr, Kilgannon, Eastwood, Taylor.
Attendance: 16,529 (795 away).
Referee: Peter Bankes
