Reading eased into the second round of the FA Cup with a comfortable, if not convincing, two goal home win against mid table League Two opponents Fleetwood Town. In a congested fixture list, Ruben Selles understandably fielded several youngsters, including a debut for the impressive seventeen-year-old Ashqar Ahmed at right back, with a sprinkling of experienced regular first team players in the starting eleven or on the bench. Understandably, Reading took a while to settle into the game, but as the game progressed, the individual skill of the Reading players and the quality of their play left Fleetwood looking outclassed.

There was little to choose between the teams in the early stages, and the first clear cut chance fell to Fleetwood after twenty minutes, but with the goal at his mercy, Graydon glanced his header well wide of the target from close range. Reading should have taken the lead after thirty-three minutes when Harrington parried Rushesha's shot to the feet of Wareham who smacked the rebound straight at the Fleetwood 'keeper.

Ahmed was linking up well with Camara and Elliot down the right flank. The young full back was pacy, direct and released the ball accurately as he burst through the Town midfield. On the other flank Campbell was having less impact, possibly less comfortable playing on the left. He frequently lost possession running into heavy traffic in and around the box. He managed to hit the target on one occasion, but his effort was saved by Harrington.

Reading took the lead immediately after half time. Bindon tucked away a volley from a Savage free-kick on the left. Moments earlier Holzman had conceded a corner straight from the kick-off at the start of second half with a woeful back-pass, but it was an isolated blip in an otherwise impressive performance at centre back including a superbly timed challenge just inside the box when an equaliser for Fleetwood looked inevitable.

Reading were dominating possession, and although Town created some promising opportunities, Button made a couple of very good saves to maintain the lead. Reading squandered good opportunities as they carved open the visitor's defence with some slick passing and movement. A reluctance to take on an early strike at goal has restricted Reading's goal tally in recent games and this afternoon this issue was evident again. Campbell missed an absolute sitter from a couple of yards with presented with an open goal, so he was no doubt relieved watching from the bench when Warham's attempt ricocheted off Odubeko for an own goal to secure Reading's place in the draw for the second round. Tuma replaced Campbell on the left wing for the final minutes and the contrast was remarkable almost resulting in a third Reading goal. His pace took him into the penalty area where he was taken down by a challenge which had payers and fans calling, with some justification, for a penalty.

By the end, Fleetwood looked well beaten having put up a good fight to stay in contention for most of the match. Reading extended their impressive home record of eight wins in nine games this season. A home draw in the next round might yield a place in the third round and an opportunity for this young side to test their potential against opposition of a higher calibre of at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

John Wells