READING FC continued their promising pre-season form with victory away to Wimbledon on Tuesday night.
Goals from Yakou Meite and Jeff Hendrick either side of half-time proved the difference as the Royals came away 2-0 winners.
On a night where Reading’s goal was left untroubled for long periods, debutant Dean Bouzanis made a name for himself with a penalty save midway through the second half.
The game was played on Britain’s hottest day on record, so a passing shower at half-time would have been somewhat welcomed by both players and fans.
Although Paul Ince stuck to his preferred five at the back set up, the fixture allowed his side to start with both Lucas Joao and Meite up front.
Joao looked isolated at times in Reading’s encounter with West Ham and the manager would have been keen to offer him some help.
The pair were supported by a midfield three of Ovie Ejaria, Hendrick and Tom Ince.
After dominating the battle in the middle of the park for 45 minutes, Tom Ince moved to wide-right, with Meite doing the same on the left, leaving two in midfield.
The change in shape gave Reading the freedom to push on, with both full backs adopting more offensive positions as the game progressed.
The 691 travelling fans at the new Plough Lane would have left satisfied by their side’s performance.
New signing Shane Long did not make the trip to London after picking up a knock in Saturday’s match against West Ham.
Reading started the brighter of the two sides, finding joy down Wimbledon’s left side. Good combination play between Andy Yiadom and Ince led to an early sighter for Ejaria which was dealt with by the Dons keeper Nathan Broome.
Jeff Hendrick showed glimpses of quality in the early knockings, taking the ball down and sliding a through-ball into Meite’s path. The Ivorian was unable to apply the finishing touches.
Moments later, Tom Holmes fizzed a ball into Joao who was standing on the right side of the box, but could not fire goalwards.
Neither side were able to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges as both teams gave away unnecessary fouls.
One such incident led to a Wimbledon free kick on their right, which was played short and delivered into the box. The cross took a deflection, causing momentary confusion as Bouzanis came to punch the ball.
The keeper was unable to get a meaningful contact and Reading were fortunate to see Will Nightingale’s header sail over the bar.
Andy Yiadom then gave away a free kick from a potentially dangerous position just outside the box but Luke McCormick’s delivery did not trouble Bouzanis.
The Royals found themselves under pressure deep inside their half, with Femi Azeez and Tom McIntyre staying composed on the ball, before the ball came to Sam Hutchinson whose out-ball found Joao.
The Angolan’s flick-on fell perfectly into the path of an on-rushing Meite who was able to bring the ball down and fire into the bottom right corner.
Ince will be pleased that his decision to start with two strikers paid off. The Ivorian has been in scintillating form in pre-season, finding the net on three occasions.
Reading went into half-time with a 1-0 lead and looked to be in control of the game.
The heavens opened up during the interval as subs warmed up in the pouring rain. Although some fans sought refuge, many enjoyed the cooling effect on a day which saw record-breaking temperatures.
The rain continued as the game restarted, but the Royals were not to be deterred, starting the second half in the adjusted shape, with Hendrick and Ejaria marshalling the midfield.
Ince would have been happy with how his side controlled the battle in the middle of the park in the first 45 minutes, perhaps feeling that the extra man could be better-utilised in a more advanced position.
Meite and Ince adopted wide positions on the left and right respectively, with Joao adopting his solo forward position once again.
Azeez got the ball rolling, cutting in and finding Meite inside the box. His shot was blocked by Paul Kalambayi and ended up beating both the keeper and the far post.
Reading continued to apply the pressure as Hendrick picked out a lovely ball over the top for Joao. The Angolan did well to bring the ball down, but his snapshot was wayward.
Wimbledon were awarded a penalty against the run of play after former Royal Alex Pearce was adjudged to have been fouled in the box.
Zach Robinson went to the keeper’s left, but Bouzanis guessed correctly to keep the strike out. The rebound fell to the onrushing Wombles striker who could only head over.
Moments later, Joao picked up the ball in a promising position and played Ince in. The winger found himself one-on-one with Broome, but the keeper was able to parry his effort away for a corner.
A period of possession in front of the Wimbledon defence led to a half-opening for Ejaria, who instead passed to Hendrick on the edge of the box. The Irishman unleashed a fierce strike, which beat Broome to his bottom right and found the back of the net.
Reading continued to pile on the pressure, with Yasin Ben El Mhanni latching onto a poor Wimbledon clearance. The trialist curling effort just went past the wrong side of the post.
The Dons applied some late pressure, but some last ditch defending and a reflex Bouzanis save were enough to preserve the clean sheet.
Reading will face Brighton at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday, their last outing before starting their 2022-23 Championship campaign at Blackpool.
AFC Wimbledon: Broome, Nightingale, Kalambayi, Gunter (c), Ogundere, Adjei-Hersey, Assal, McCormick, Maghoma, Trialist, Davison.
Subs: Tzanev, Robinson, Sutcliffe, Pearce, Currie, Frimpong, Bendle, Chislett, Trialist, Marsh, Jenkins
Reading: Bouzanis, Yiadom (c), McIntyre, Holmes, Hutchinson, Hendrick, Ince, Ejaria, Azeez, Meite, Joao
Subs: Lumley, Clarke, Abrefa, Tetek, El Mhanni, Fornah, Guiness-Walker, Hoilett, Ehibhatiomhan
