After thirty-four minutes Femi Azeez unleashed a shot from just outside the box that would not have looked out of place in the Premier League. The ferocity of the strike left Wigan 'keeper Tickle rooted to the spot as the net bulged behind him. It was a brilliant strike and set Reading on their way to a convincing home victory as their current run of good form continued. Smith tucked away his fifth goal of the season just after half time to extend Reading's lead which Wigan never really threatened. If anything they were very much on the front foot in the second half and might have added a third. Reading struggled to find their rhythm early in the game. Sloppy passing and a lack of movement allowed Wigan to dominate possession, although apart from a couple of goalmouth scrambles, only managed to create one decent chance. Wyke got on the end of cross but mistimed his leap and headed tamely wide.

After their sluggish start Reading began to string some passes together. Mukairu was unsettling the Wigan defence with some penetrating runs. After twenty-five minute he presented Azeez a great chance to put Reading ahead. Picking the ball up just outside the box he held the ball up, and ignoring an overlapping run on the left, waited for Azeez to make his run into the box. Unfortunately Azeez's strike was deflected wide for a corner.

Reading took the lead with a move initiated deep in their own half. Abbey broke up a Wigan attack with some composed defending and immediately picked out a pass to release Azeez. A clever flick and turn left his marker was left flat footed and he burst into the Wigan half. Although the move broke down on the edge of the box, the ball fell for Wing to tee the ball up for Azeez, who took a touch to before lashing the ball past Tickle.

Michael Craig, my Man of the Match, had an outstanding game in front of the back four, winning the ball, retaining possession and bringing players in to the game with some short sharp passing. Wigan were taking turns to kick Craig, but it took referee Woods over forty minutes before he finally took action. Wyke receiving the first of five yellow cards for the visitors. The referee was particularly poor in the second half allowing Wigan to commit obvious fouls without punishment. Some of Wigan's foul play was cynically premeditated, notably from the re-start on two occasions when Smith's run to close down the recipient of the pass was deliberately blocked. Clearly a planned tactical foul. Reading increased their lead five minutes in to the second half. Mbengue whipped in an early ball which Smith met with a well-timed run with deft cushioned volley past Tickle from close range.

Smith deserved his fifth goal of the season. He worked tirelessly and made life difficult for Wigan's physically superior centre backs. Having learned from bitter experience this season, the second goal was a signal to step the pressure on the ball, close opponents down and commit to some robust challenges. Abbey and Holmes consequently each picked up a yellow card. Apart from a slightly erratic Mbengue, who it must be said, also put in decent performance, the back four were again outstanding.

Wigan came close with a couple of efforts which flew just wide but their best chance came from a rare Reading error at the back. Abbey unnecessarily risked running with the ball and was dispossessed just outside the box. The resulting attempt by McCallum was thwarted by Button getting down smartly to his right to make a very good save.

Selles, often criticised for his substitutions this season, got everything right with a succession of late changes bringing on Elliot, Mola, Bindon, Savage and Ehibhationman to consolidate the lead. This was result and performance which provided Reading fans with a very happy start to Christmas.

John Wells