Let’s not gloss over things: this was a really poor performance, both individually and tactically, and Reading didn’t deserve a point. If the result were decided on the overall flow of the game, if Bolton Wanderers had been more ruthless with the high number of openings they created, the scoreline would have been a lot closer to the 5-2 we’re used to in these parts. Then again, scoring twice for so long seemed way too optimistic.
Reading can at least go home with a morale-boosting draw, thanks to
an equaliser that papered over so many cracks. Andre Garcia’s late strike was the moment of class in the final third we’d lacked so much earlier in the game – for almost all of the league campaign really – and it will have been a huge source of relief for manager Noel Hunt.
That goal, and the result it brings, should not convince anyone that this performance overall was anywhere near good enough. At the same time though, it could – and hopefully will – act as the spark to breathe life into this side and give it confidence in the weeks and months ahead.
On Saturday we’ll see if Reading have been able to turn this molehill into a mountain. For now though, let’s recap what unfolded at Bolton.
Reading (4-3-3): Pereira; Abrefa, Burns, Williams, Dorsett; Fraser, Wing, Savage; Kyerewaa, O’Mahony, Doyle
Subs: Stevens, Ahmed, Stickland, Jacob, Garcia, Elliott, Camara
For the vast majority of the game, the home side had comfortable control of proceedings. After sussing out the Royals’ attempt at a press early on, for long periods they knocked the ball about easily and progressed it into the final third at will. It just felt like the home side were playing this game on easier difficulty setting than the visitors. Reading couldn’t get close to them, and when they did get the ball back, time and again it was knocked long… to no one who could hold it up. And so the ball came back at the Royals’ goal.
The best Reading could muster in response to that was a valiant rearguard action. Joel Pereira wasn’t tested as much as Bolton’s dominance might suggest (only four of the Trotters’ 21 efforts were on target), in large part due to a commendable showing by the new-look pairing of Finley Burns and Derrick Williams.
The Royals held out for a surprisingly long amount of time. After the hosts had piled so much pressure on the visitors in the first half, including hitting the post, they took a 1-0 lead soon in the second. Maston Burstow had too much room in the 52nd minute to beat Pereira from inside the area, although he was helped by a deflection.
Further up the pitch though there was little to pick out in the way of positives. Noel Hunt had once again opted for a playmaker-less midfield trio: Liam Fraser and Charlie Savage ahead of Lewis Wing, with Ben Elliott left on the bench and Kamari Doyle out wide. Accordingly, the lack of creativity was a gaping hole in this side, and the one moment in the first half when Reading were able to create an attack because Doyle had come centrally, got the ball to feet and then progressed it forward for winger Daniel Kyerewaa, stood out for how unique it was.
It took Hunt until the 59th minute to turn to his bench. Off went Fraser for Elliott, with Mamadi Camara replacing Doyle not long after. With Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan completely unavailable, the only feasible changes later on were to swap left-back Jeriel Dorsett out for Matty Jacob (straight change) and withdraw right-winger Kyerewaa for Garcia (also like-for-like).
While those changes didn’t have any immediate, significant impact, Reading did gradually start to play in the hosts’ half more often as the second 45 progressed. A first shot on target of the game for Reading came shortly before the 70th minute, via Kelvin Abrefa, who got joy after the restart by being found with switches to feed him in space.
There wasn’t too much more to write home about, until Garcia popped up in the 84th minute to draw the game level. The young winger cut inside from the right and beat the ‘keeper with an effort that appeared to have been deflected, but on a rewatch, perhaps not. Either way, who cares? Reading were level and stayed that way for the rest of the game.
Reading now have a trip to Wycombe on Saturday. It looks a lot like a must-win.
