Royals suffer defeat to The O's
Goals from Markanday and Kelman sealed three points for the hosts.
Reading had an early opportunity to test Leyton Orient’s defence with an indirect free-kick. Lewis Wing delivered an outswinging ball into the box, but as Sam Smith looked to bring it under control, the referee halted play for a foul.
The game was paused just five minutes in following an unfortunate knock to Jeriel Dorsett, forcing him to be substituted. Abraham Kanu was brought on as his replacement.
The first real chance of the game fell to Orient. Kelman found space between Harlee Dean and Michael Craig, driving into the box and aiming for the far corner, but his effort lacked accuracy and went straight into Pereira's hands.
Reading’s response came soon after with a free-kick on the left-hand side of the box. Charlie Savage floated the ball to the back post, where Dean climbed highest, but his header was comfortably gathered by Orient keeper.
The Royals appealed for a penalty just after 20 minutes. Wing whipped in a free-kick from inside the hosts’ half, which was allowed to bounce in the box. Smith challenged for the loose ball, colliding with keeper, but the referee awarded a free-kick to Orient.
The hosts created the game’s biggest chance when Markanday broke through on goal, one-on-one with Pereira. The Royals keeper rushed out, forcing Markanday wide before making a stunning save to deny him.
However, moments later, Markanday found the breakthrough. Campbell was dispossessed just inside Reading’s half, and the resulting through ball evaded Kanu’s reach. Markanday collected it inside the box, cut inside, and curled his effort into the far corner to give Orient the lead.
Reading almost hit back immediately. Craig’s cross to the back post found Bindon, but under pressure, he couldn’t make clean contact with his header, and the ball drifted wide.
The Royals showed promise through Garcia, who carried the ball 40 yards before playing a quick one-two with Smith. Unfortunately, his heavy touch in the box allowed the keeper to smother the ball before he could get a shot away.
Many of Reading’s opportunities came from set pieces, and a corner late in the half nearly brought an equaliser. Dean headed the ball back across goal, but Kanu, stretching to meet it, couldn’t make contact.
The Royals piled on the pressure as the first half came to a close, delivering wave after wave of crosses into the Orient box. However, clear-cut chances remained elusive, and the hosts went into the break holding a 1-0 lead.
Half-time: Leyton Orient 1-0 Reading
Reading began the second half with intent, as Sam Smith came close to capitalising on a loose ball, nearly stealing possession from goalkeeper Keeley.
However, it was the hosts who struck next, doubling their lead early in the half. A ball into the box wasn’t cleared effectively, landing at Kelman’s feet just a few yards out. He managed to prod an effort goalwards, and despite Pereira getting a hand to it, the ball trickled over the line.
The second goal seemed to settle Leyton Orient, who dominated possession in the following 15 minutes. They nearly added a third when Markanday was almost played through on goal, but a crucial interception from Bindon prevented the danger.
Orient continued to threaten, with Kelman finding space on the right to slip a clever pass into the box for Abdulai. The forward weaved his way into shooting space, but his effort failed to hit the target.
As the match entered its final stages, Reading struggled to break through Orient’s high press, with the hosts dictating the tempo and asserting their authority on the game.
Pereira was called into action again late on, showing sharp reflexes to punch away an inswinging corner that found Beckles lurking just a few yards from goal.
Despite their efforts, the Royals couldn’t find a way back into the game, as Leyton Orient saw out the match to secure the victory.
Full-time: Leyton Orient 2-0 Reading
Leyton Orient: Keeley, Cooper, Brown, Currie, Donley, Pratley ©, Beckles, Galbraith, Kelman (Sweeney 90+2'), Markanday (James 71’), Abdulai (Jaiyesimi (82’)
Unused subs: Harpe, Philips, Clare, Obierd
Goals: Markandy (29’), Kelman (51’)
Yellow: Donley (79’), Kelman (84’)
Reading: Pereira, Dorsett (Kanu 5’, Camara 56’), Craig, Dean, Knibbs, Savage (Rushesha 75’), Smith, Campbell (Ehibhatiomhan 56’), Bindon, Wing ©, Garcia
Unused subs: Button, Wareham, Holzman
Yellow: Craig (33’), Smith (42’)