Reading Get Friendly Win Over Palace

11 August 2012
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading FC finished their pre-season schedule with a 2-0 home victory over Crystal Palace this weekend. The Royal looked improved over recent friendly performances but the sides went in level at the break as, once again, the opening forty five minutes was played at a slow pace. In the second half the game picked up for Reading and strikers Pavel Pogrebnyak and Adam Le Fondre both found the net to secure the victory. McCleary set-up Pogrebnyak for his goal while Robson-Kanu provided the cross for Le Fondre to grab the second.

As expected Brian McDermott took the opportunity to field a strong side in the final pre-season fixture. Roberts, Kebe, Cummings and McAnuff were all missing through injuries. Meanwhile a Reading Eleven side travelled to Eastleigh, and that team included Karacan and Shorey.

After the match it was Guthrie that took the most praise and was most fans' man of the match after a superb passing performance. McCleary put in a much improved second half to show he has plenty to offer in the new season. It all looked very promising with the new signings working well with last years promotion winning squad. It may have been only a friendly but it was an important win to set us up for next season's opener against Stoke City at the Madejski.

Reading: Federici; Gunter, Harte, Gorkss (Mariappa 76 mins), Pearce; Guthrie, Leigertwood (Tabb 80 mins), McCleary, Robson-Kanu (Obita 84 mins); Pogrebnyak (Hunt 71 mins), Le Fondre (Church 71 mins).

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