More goals and minutes in the tank...
Paul Ince’s side secured their second win of pre-season with a 4-0 win over Maidenhead United this afternoon.
The Royals made a bright start, earning a corner that was taken by Junior Hoilett and just missed its target of Lucas Joao as the visitors cleared the danger.
Tom Ince then found Tyrese Fornah who played in Ovie Ejaria but his curling effort just went wide of the far post.
New signing Jeff Hendrick was getting on the the ball and picking out some key passes to unlock the defence, with one helping earn the hosts a second corner that Tom McIntyre met from Ince’s ball but was just unable to get enough contact on.
Maidenhead left Luke Southwood in the Royals goal untroubled with a speculative effort going wide before they fired a free kick, within range, straight into the wall.
A cross into the box was then deflected into the path of Hendrick whose flick was cleared off the line as the Royals went close to an opener.
McIntyre then almost picked Ince out with a ball over the top before skipper Andy Yiadom’s low cross earned a corner that Tom Holmes flicked on and just missed finding a Royal boot.
The Royals opened the scoring when the energetic Yiadom ran down the wing and Hendrick was there at the back post to convert!
A quick fire double then put Ince’s side in control when Tom Ince picked up the ball onto the edge of the box and beat his man before unleashing a powerful shot into the top corner!
The hosts continued their flurry of goals when the ball was played out wide to Joao with the striker carefully bringing the ball under control before delicately chipping the ‘keeper to put us three goals to the good!
Hoilett then almost got in on the act as he cut inside and drilled a low shot towards the middle of the goal.
Tricky feet from Kelvin Abrefa opens up space in the box but his shot is blocked, trialist Connor Wickham followed up but his low effort was well saved by the quick reactions of the ‘keeper.
Dejan Tetek’s corner then picked out Wickham but his goal bound header was blocked.
Abrefa then charged into the box but was brought down on the byline with the ref pointing to the spot as Wickham got his name on the score sheet by sending the ‘keeper the wrong way!
Rashawn Scott then fired a shot into the side netting after an impressive run down the far side as the Royals kept the pressure up.
However, there would be no more goals as the Royals eased to victory in the Bearwood sunshine and crucially got more minutes in the tank, with the visit of West Ham United next to come on Saturday at the Select Car Leasing Stadium!
Full Time: Reading 4-0 Maidenhead United
