All square at the John Smith's Stadium
The Royals pick up a point, and a clean sheet, away at Huddersfield ahead of a double-header in RG2 next week.
Pereira was the busiest Reading player in the opening five minutes at Huddersfield, as the hosts began with a quick tempo, delivering a couple of dangerous balls into the box. The Royals' keeper remained alert, confidently coming off his line to punch clear on each occasion.
After weathering the early pressure, Reading started to see more of the ball, gradually working their way up the pitch and into Huddersfield’s half. However, they had yet to trouble Nicholls’ goal.
Chances were few and far between, with the first real effort falling to Charles. He skipped inside the Reading box and aimed for the bottom right corner, but his shot failed to hit the target—though Pereira appeared to have it covered.
Reading’s first opportunity came after a spell of limited goalmouth action. Camara found space to burst down the left and was picked out well. With a defender closing in, he struck early, but his effort flew over the bar.
Charles had another sight of goal just before the half-hour mark. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, he shifted it out of his feet and attempted to curl one around the Reading defence, but once again, he failed to hit the target.
As had been the pattern of the half, Reading responded with an attacking moment of their own. Savage sent a long free-kick into the Terriers' half, where Dean rose highest to win the first header. The ball fell to Camara, who had time to assess his options, but hesitated, allowing the defender to recover and clear the danger.
The best chance of the half arrived 10 minutes before the break. Marshall found himself in space inside the Reading box with time to set himself, but his shot lacked power and was comfortably gathered by Pereira.
Half-time: Huddersfield 0-0 Reading
The first chance of the second half fell to Wing after a poor back pass was almost seized upon by Camara. However, Nicholls managed to get an uncomfortable clearance on the ball, sending it only as far as Knibbs. Knibbs laid it off to Wing, who took on an early shot from 35 yards with the keeper retreating, but the ball bounced just in front of him, making for a straightforward save.
Reading came closest just eight minutes after the restart. A free-kick from inside Huddersfield’s half was delivered by Wing, with Camara rising highest to make the first contact. He hooked the ball goalwards, but it whistled just past the far post.
That chance sparked Reading’s best spell of the game, pinning Huddersfield inside their own half in search of the opener. Neat exchanges on both flanks led to a moment of panic inside the Terriers’ box, as several players jostled for possession before the ball eventually broke kindly for Lees, who cleared his lines.
Reading then launched a swift counter-attack on the hour mark, starting down the left as Camara slipped in Wareham. Wareham spotted Knibbs at the back post with a well-placed pass, but Knibbs struggled to bring the ball under control. He recovered quickly, though, and tried to tee up Wing on the edge of the area. Wing couldn’t make contact, but the ball fell to Savage, who struck a low effort that fizzed wide.
The pressure continued, now with Ehibhatiomhan leading the line. He almost made an instant impact as Knibbs whipped a ball into the box, but Kelvin, meeting it from 10 yards out, couldn’t make a clean connection.
Reading’s best chance of the second half fell to Campbell. Camara’s initial shot was blocked, and the rebound landed at Chem’s feet inside the box, but his effort was off target.
Noel Hunt’s side had enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and created the better chances in the second half. However, with 10 minutes remaining, Huddersfield grew into the contest, with both teams now sensing they could snatch a late winner.
For the first time in the match, Wing was afforded space to pick out a pass forward. He found Ehibhatiomhan’s run between the two centre-halves, but his shot was well blocked by Turton.
In the final five additional minutes, it was all Huddersfield, with a few hairy moments for the back line of Reading - but they managed to keep themselves together, to secure a point on the road.
Full-time: Huddersfield 0-0 Reading
Huddersfield: Nicholls, Sorensen (Turton 74’), Hogg © (Kasumu 66’), Marshall, Wiles, Charles (Ladapo 80’), Kane, Spencer, Balker, Chirena (Koroma 66’), Lees
Unused subs: Chapman, Ruffels, Hodge
Yellows: Spencer (52’), Kasumu (86’)
Reading: Pereira, Craig, Dean (Mbengue 42’), Knibbs, Savage, Wareham (Ehibhatiomhan 61’), Campbell, Bindon, Camara (Bodin 75’), Wing ©, Garcia (Abrefa 74’)
Unused subs: Button, Rushesha, Kanu.
Yellows: Knibbs (59’), Campbell (67’), Ehibhatiomhan (80’)