Joel Pereira: 7
Made a fantastic save right before he conceded Stockport’s opener, sliding across the ground quickly to his right. Jumped over the ball for the goal, but will have wanted far more help from his defenders.
Got down to his left to cover up a searching shot in the 39th minute. Made his best stop with cat-like reflexes in the 65th minute, stopping a fizzed shot in after a corner. Stood firmly in front of another close range effort shortly after Reading got their equaliser.
Another day on which Pereira showed why Reading paid for him to stick around this summer, keeping the Royals in it at crucial times, and making some impressively athletic stops.
Ashqar Ahmed: 6
Often extremely high up when the ball was on the far side, and regularly joined Wing’s horizontal line in the midfield in possession. Create an early chance for Reading when he whipped a really dangerous cross into the box for Kyerewaa.
Ran like Derrick Henry (look it up) through the Stockport defence early in the second half – committing three of their players before – always looks for space centrally, whether that be through his running or passes.
Finley Burns: 6
Slid in and cleared the ball out early on, seeing it ricochet into the side netting. One of two (with Jacob) who allowed Wooton to languidly wander into space for his goal, switching off at a key moment.
Blocked a shot well in the 35th minute when Stockport threatened to deliver into the danger zone again. Caught ball watching at times from set pieces, with the still developing zonal system doing him few favors. Overall, put in a good second half performance that helped provide Reading with the platform for their point.
Jeriel Dorsett: 6
Out on the left side of central defence, often covering the seam between himself and Jacob. Had a shaky moment in possession right in front of Pereira early on, losing the ball deep in his box.
Rose well to clear the ball away early in the second half. Repeated the leap in the opposite box minutes later, and nodded a fantastic header goalbound, needing a solid save to keep it out.
Has had precious few League One games at centre-back, and proved that he can work his way into a game at that position, probably serving as Reading’s best aerial defender.
Matty Jacob: 5
Played in spaces you’d expect to see a left-back and a centre-back today. One of those who lost Wootton for the first goal, struggling to communicate with other defenders at times.
Found good contact on a volley from the outside of the area when the goal was gaping, but couldn’t quite keep the ball’s flight true enough.
More traditionally in a left-back spot for much of the second half and struggled late with the pacey Fevrier.
Lewis Wing: 6
Took a shot on the followup from a free-kick, but unfortunately dragged the daisy cutter across the goal. Struggled in the midfield at times with the size in Stockport’s team, finding himself targeted with some heavy treatment.
Came into it more in the second half, dropping even further back to find more touches, and interacting well with Savage in the short game. Whipped the ball out wide for Ritchie in the buildup to Reading’s equaliser though, showing he still always had his full range as an option.
Charlie Savage: 6
Really alert early on, and very calm on the ball. Helped Reading to end the danger from a loss in the box when he strode in to win it before calmly playing out with Wing.
One of Reading’s better players in the first half throughout, and grief his luck from distance in the 40th – testing the keeper but not finding enough power.
Really calm on the ball when moved into more of a 4-2-3-1/double pivot, often helping Wing pass out of pressure.
Kamari Doyle: 6
One of Reading’s brighter sparks when they had spells in possession, and won a few free-kicks with his quick feet. Hardly lost the ball in the first half. Faded in the second half and was withdrawn but helped link things up with his calm play along both wings a few times.
Paddy Lane: 5
Capable of keeping up with Stockport pace-wise, but struggled with the size of their players when trying to defend. Picked up a free-kick for Reading in midfield when he did nip ahead for the ball.
Started the second half well, winning the ball twice as Reading tried to push out of their half. Moved out to the left side when Ritchie came on, lasting longer than he has in recent games and providing a little balance down that side in one of Reading’s better moments in the game. Pulled up with cramp late on and was withdrawn for O’Mahony.
Jack Marriott:7
Ran the channels gamely but wasn’t given many passes to his feet in the first half that gave him a chance. Seemed to be struggling with a knock midway through the period, but continued to be frustrating to play against for Stockport – winning a free-kick in a melee.
Picked up his fourth goal in Reading colors with a fantastic piece of running that got him across the front of his defender and into position to nick it home ahead of the keeper. A clinical and ruthless piece of classic centre forward play.
Daniel Kyerewaa: 5
Got his feet caught up when he had an early great chance, unsure whether to leave it for Marriott or take the shot himself. Struggled to get into the game in the first half, lining up a few chances to dribble but not giving himself a platform with his challenges.
Withdrawn midway through the second half.
Subs
Matt Ritchie: 7
As has been the case so far in his early Reading career, Ritchie came on and made an immediate impact to the flow of the game. Upped the tempo of Reading as they moved through the final third, and showed it most in his assist for Marriott’s goal, taking no chances and immediately poking it into the striker’s path.
Chased a lost cause from Pereira deep into Stockport’s half, forcing a misplaced clearance.
There will certainly be an argument for Ritchie to start now – the question is whether Ritchie is better as an impact sub or a starter, but his record last year suggests he can start more games even at this stage of his career.
Kelvin Abrefa: 6
Came on for Ahmed late with Reading searching for a goal and helped secure things defensively – seeing more of Stockport’s play going down the other side during his time on the pitch.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan: 6
Replaced Daniel Kyerewaa but worked more centrally just behind Marriott. Momentum swung back to Stockport shortly after the goal but he earned Reading a few reprieves with free-kicks won deep in opposition territory.
Michael Stickland: N/A
Not on the pitch long enough for a grade, having replaced Marriott late on with Reading seeing the game out.
Average: 6/10
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