Bolton hit five past the Royals
It was the same outcome as last season for the Royals after a heavy-hitting first half.
Within minutes of the kick-off, Campbell was down on the turf with a nasty knock, requiring medical attention. Bolton started brightly, with Button called into action to make an early save. Fortunately for Reading, Campbell was able to shake off the knock and began moving more freely. Reading had their first real chance at goal with a free kick from Lewis Wing.
Both sides continued with a feisty start, and David Button produced an excellent double save amidst some scrappy play. However, a free kick given away by Wing proved costly, as Josh Sheehan found the bottom right corner with a well-placed finish, leaving Button stranded. The Royals found themselves a goal down within 15 minutes, compounding a frustrating start.
A second free kick for Reading, just outside the area, sailed over the bar as they tried to work their way back into the game. But their task became even harder when a foul by Amadou Mbengue resulted in a penalty, which Dion Charles powered home. At 2-0 down after just 20 minutes, Reading faced an uphill battle. Knibbs then combined with Campbell to create a rare opportunity for the visitors, but Campbell’s effort flew high and wide.
Both teams struggled to maintain possession, with misplaced passes occurring frequently in midfield. Bolton threatened again when Charles went to ground in the box after a cross, but the referee waved play on, giving Reading a chance to settle themselves.
However, it soon got worse for the Royals. After giving the ball away several times, despite Mbengue’s desperate attempt to clear, Charles slotted the ball through Button’s legs to make it 3-0. A bad tackle forced an early substitution, with Kelvin Abrefa replacing Dorsett. Abrefa quickly got involved, carrying the ball forward and delivering a cross to Ben Elliott, who took it on his chest before prodding it beyond Nathan Baxter in the Bolton goal, pulling one back for Reading.
Elliott had another chance shortly after, and Mbengue tested Baxter with a good effort, but the half ended on a sour note for Reading. Bindon was judged to have committed a foul in the box during stoppage time, and Charles stepped up to convert his second penalty of the match, completing his hat-trick and leaving Selles' men trailing 4-1 at the break with a mountain to climb.
Half-time: Bolton 4-1 Reading
Bolton began the second half as they had ended the first, with Jay Matete drifting into the box and sending a shot wide of Button’s goal. Shortly after, Kelvin Abrefa managed to get behind the defence and slid the ball across the face of goal towards Sam Smith, who was well tackled before he could finish.
Reading applied pressure, with Ben Elliott driving into the box and slipping a pass to Smith, who made a clever run behind the defence. Santos was adjudged to have brought down Smith in the box, and the striker confidently converted the penalty, reducing the deficit to two goals.
Reading continued to press and gained more control of the game. Abrefa was again involved, unleashing a beautiful lofted shot from the edge of the area that smashed against the crossbar, with Baxter beaten. The Royals were the better side at this stage and looked the more likely to score.
Adrian Akande was brought on for Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, slotting in on the right, while Campbell switched to the opposite flank. The young winger showed some positive touches and regularly pushed the ball forward. Despite the scoreline, the performance was brighter and more composed than it had been in the first half.
Michael Craig was fouled on the edge of the area, and the resulting free kick fell to Smith, who headed straight at Baxter. Despite Reading’s increased control of the game, they failed to convert any of their chances. Their efforts were undone when Kyle Dempsey headed in from a corner to make it 5-2 to Bolton.
Button produced a good save later on, but the game fizzled out for Reading, with the home side collecting the points in comprehensive fashion.
It was a tough afternoon in Lancashire, and the Royals now face a week of preparation at Bearwood before a home tie against Huddersfield next week.
Full-time: Bolton 5-2 Reading
Bolton: Baxter, Thomason, Almeida Santos, Johnston, Sheehan (Dempsey 71'), Adeboyejo (Collins 76'), Charles (McAtee 76'), Dacres-Cogley, Toal, Schon (Williams 71'), Matete (Arfield 62')
Unused subs: Southwood, Forino
Goals: Sheehan (11'), Charles (21' pen, 34', 45+4 pen), Dempsey (87')
Yellows: Almeida Santos (15'), Baxter (80')
Reading: Button, Dorsett (Abrefa (38'), Elliott, Craig, Knibbs, Ehibhatiomhan (Akande 70'), Smith, Campbell, Bindon, Mbengue, Wing
Unused subs: Boyce-Clarke, Dean, Savage, Wareham, Garcia
Goals: Elliott (41'), Smith (56' pen)
Yellows: Wing (11'), Knibbs (70')