Our League One campaign gets underway with defeat at home
Rubén Sellés' first competitive game in charge of the Royals ended in a loss as a Ephron Mason-Clark header proved enough to see Peterborough United take all three points.
The Posh took the lead towards the end of the first half after a deep cross from Kwame Poku was headed back over Reading 'keeper Dean Bouzanis and into the far side of the net.
A promising start saw the Royals on top for most of the first 45, going close through Femi Azeez and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan. They continued to fight until the end, but efforts from substitutes Lewis Wing and Caylan Vickers could not bring an equaliser as our 2023-24 begins with a loss.
Rubén's impact on the team was evident straight away, with the high press not allowing the visitors a moment to breathe. Such was the effect that, completely unchallenged, a Peterborough defender cleared the ball out for a first Royals' corner of 2023-24.
More good work saw Harvery Knibbs fight back and dispossess the Posh right-back, only to be pulled down to earn a free-kick in a dangerous position on the left-wing. The ball was played with Andy Carroll awarded the freedom of Reading at the back post, but his low shot was valiantly blocked.
The Royals did not let up, with club captain Andy Yiadom this time doing well to win the ball back to the right of the Peterborough half before driving towards the penalty area. A wonderfully weighted ball slipped Ehibhatiomhan through, but Posh 'keeper Nicholas Bilokapic was equal to his effort.
Reading certainly had the better of the opening exchanges, but were reminded not to take this for granted. Yiadom was dispossessed by Mason-Clark, who quickly released Joel Randall, whose high effort didn't trouble Bouzanis.
The pressure by the Royals did not relent, with Ehibhatiomhan and Azeez competing well for high balls, and seeing it fall for Harvey Knibbs. However, the new signing's first-time effort was forced over the bar by Bilokapic. The resulting corner saw Charlie Savage find Carroll, but his attempt did little to challenge the 'keeper.
Yiadom only managed 35 minutes of pre-season action, but immediately looked up to speed, once again charging down the right before playing the ball forward to Azeez, who got a cross off to find Ehibhatiomhan. Unfortunately, his effort lacked the required power, with Bilokapic once again equal to it.
Despite the Royals' excellent start, the game remained goalless, and Peterborough were still in the game. No one needed reminding of this more than Bouzanis, who was forced into an excellent piece of goalkeeping despite spending the majority of the game unchallenged. Posh skipper Mason-Clark cut in from the left and let off a curling effort that the Australian excellently tipped over the bar.
Carroll, donning the number nine shirt for the Royals this season, fulfilled his role as a 'big man up top' excellently, playing the ball onto Ehibhatiomhan who linked up well with Azeez once again, but the number 11 could not finish off what was an excellent move.
Peterborough continued to threaten on the break, with Hector Kyprianou latest to have a pop at goal. His effort could not find the target, but it was the Posh who took the lead towards the end of the half. A deep cross from Kwame Poku found Mason-Clark at the opposite post, with his header looping into the far side of the net.
Half-time: Reading 0-1 Peterborough United
A delayed start to the second-half saw both team take a few minutes to get up to speed. Savage, impressive on debut, looked to move things along, first going into the book, and then playing a lovely ball to Nesta Guinness-Walker down the left. However, the left-back's cross couldn't find the target.
Peterborough also went close, with some lovely footwork from Poku seeing him cut in from the left, forcing Bouzanis into a good low save.
Lewis Wing was introduced for his first appearance in a Royals shirt just after the hour mark, and was quickly involved in the game, firing over from the edge of the box after good work down the right from fellow substitute Amadou Mbengue allowed Azeez to lay the ball back to Wing.
As the second half wore on, the game turned into a scrappy affair, with several players from each side going into the referee's book. Some good work down the left from Posh substitute Ricky-Jade Jones allowed Joel Randall to set up Archie Collins, whose effort from the edge of box went over the crossbar.
Mbengue continued to look threatening down the right-hand side, with an excellent deep cross finding Guinness-Walker in space at the far post. His cross found Carroll but the striker's volley was deflected wide.
Reading continued to push for an equaliser, with Academy graduate Caylan Vickers coming on from the bench and putting together a wonderful mazy run before getting his shot off, but could only force the 'keeper into a strong save.
There was much to admire about Rubén Sellés' first competitive game in charge of the Royals, with the aggressive style of pressing so close to reaping the rewards it deserved. The players fought to the final whistle, with a late Carroll header going agonisingly over the bar.
Tom McIntyre did extremely well to prevent a late second courtesy of Jones chip, which required an acrobatic last-ditch clearance.
Ultimately, the side couldn't break down a resolute Peterborough defence, with a reminder to those who didn't already know that League One will be a challenge, to say the least.
Full time: Reading 0-1 Peterborough United
Reading: Bouzanis, Guinness-Walker, Holmes, McIntyre, Yiadom (Mbengue 62'), Azeez (Vickers 78'), Savage, Hutchinson (Rushesha 71'), Knibbs (Camara 78'), Carroll, Ehibhatiomhan (Wing 62').
Unused subs: Boyce-Clarke, Carson.
Peterborough United: Bilokapic, Burrows, Edwards, Crichlow, Clarke-Harris, Mason-Clark (Jones HT), Poku (Fuchs 88'), Randall (Ajiboye 85'), Kyprianou, Collins, Kioso.
Unused subs: Blackmore, Knight, Tshimanga, Tomlinson.