Reading mocked pre-season predictions of doom and gloom by looking like genuine promotion contenders against a strongly fancied Wigan side. A dominant second half performance was tarnished only by a last minute injury time equaliser from James McArthur.

Following the Swansea friendly Adkins made a surprise team selection with Federici starting in goal and Cummings coming in at left back as Obita was moved into centre midfield. Hope Akpan dropped to the bench. The selection of Federici over McCarthy might suggest the Reading academy goalkeeper’s future could lie elsewhere.

Reading took the game to Wigan, with an early chance for Edwards after the hard working Pogrebynak pulled a cross into his path. Edwards should have done better with the chance as Carson pushed the shot wide for a corner. The resulting corner allowing Blackman to force ball against the bar. As the first half played out with Reading controlling possession but lacking any real penetration, in particular from the wide areas. It was then against the run of play Wigan snatched the lead with the soon to be olympic diving champion McManaman clipping the ball past Federici following a flurry of activity in the Reading area. Reading’s inability to clear the ball, a trademark of last season, coming back to haunt them.

Reading took the initiative in the second half as Wigan struggled to pick up the pace of the game. Chasing the ball as Reading worked neatly in the spaces. With Gunter driving forward and Taylor pushing wider Reading began to create half chances. Hector, Gunter and Edwards all with sliced chances when well placed. As the game progressed Hector, in particular, started to grow in stature as he looks a more accomplished midfielder game by game.

On the hour mark Adkins sent on Guthrie and new signing Cox for Taylor and the lightweight Edwards. The change made an instant impact. Cox began working the channels, getting in behind the Wigan full backs forcing a smart save from Carson and pushing a dangerous cross just out of reach of Pogrebnyak. It seemed only a matter of time before Reading would score as a rejuvenated Nick Blackman forced a good save from Carson and Obita, now playing on the left, failed to find Pogrebnyak with a cross following a driving run.

Shaun Cummings finally making the breakthrough in the 71st minute driving the ball low into the bottom corner from outside the area. It was a smart team passing movement that allowed Hector to set Cummings up for his first professional goal.

Reading now smelt victory, picking up the pace of the game again. Blackman looking a different player to last season caused Wigan problems throughout the match. He looked skilful and pacey suggesting that he has a big part to play in Reading’s season. He was unlucky with a sublime curled shot coming back off the post in the 74th minute.

Reading took the lead in the 77th minute from a well worked free kick. Guthrie chipped the ball to an unmarked Pearce on the edge of the six yard box, his looping header across goal seemed to take an entirety to reach a waiting Sean Morrison to power home a deserved second. Vigorous celebrations followed in front of the traveling 700 Reading fans.

Reading continued to control the game following the second goal. Despite expecting a Wigan onslaught Reading were able to keep possession trying to run down the clock as the game came to its conclusion. Having lost the last four league games against Wigan Reading appeared to have secured their first three points of the season. It was then that a hopeful long ball from Wigan somehow dropped neatly in the area for McArthur to push a header past the spectating Federici. The goal once again raising questions about the fragility of the Royals defence.

Overall it was an impressive performance suggesting Reading could again challenge for the play-offs. Blackman was the pick of the bunch with impressive games for Guthrie, Pogrebnyak, Cox and Hector. At last we might have seen Adkins imposing his footballing style onto a Reading performance.
Dave Roberts