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Reading travelled north to Preston on Saturday still searching for that vacant first win of the league season, and they deservedly got it thanks to a spirited display. After twice going ahead and twice being pegged back, Leandro Bacuna popped up with a late winner to make sure that the three points headed back down to Berkshire.
It’s a relief to finally get that first win of the season, and hopefully we can kick on now and make our way up the table. Here’s how the Reading fans reacted to some of the key talking points from the 3-2 victory in Lancashire.
Sam Walker
Sam Walker stepped in to the starting line-up for the first time in a Championship game after Vito Mannone picked up a knock in training, and he definitely put his name forward for a regular starting spot after an impressive performance. The former Colchester United keeper made some crucial saves, most notably from Josh Earl in the second half.
Here’s how the fans reacted to a man of the match display from the 26 year-old...
what a save from Walker #readingfc
— Alex (@AlexLeFondre) September 15, 2018
Will be disappointed if the dreadful Mannone gets his place back after this. Walker has looked solid all game #ReadingFC
— Jamie Harden (@MrCompo) September 15, 2018
Sounds like Reading are attacking well and Walker has impressed #readingfc
— ⚽️ (@1hundredand6) September 15, 2018
Thought Sam Walker did well today, hope he keeps his place #readingfc
— Dominic (@domwindle) September 15, 2018
Sam Walker has been involved in a winning Reading side twice out of his three appearances for Reading.
— G (@_GeorgeRFC) September 15, 2018
We have failed to win in the last 11 games with Mannone in goal.
Speaks volumes #Readingfc @willow1871 pic.twitter.com/X6wiq2oZA9
Fighting spirit
Reading once again showed their fight and desire having been pegged back twice by Preston. They showed it against Aston Villa a few weeks ago with Sam Baldock’s late equaliser, and they went one further on Saturday when Bacuna tapped home to secure all three points.
You may be able to criticise the results and some of the individual errors that have been made so far this season, but once again the passion and togetherness of this group was there to be seen which is a positive sign. Reading fans took to Twitter to applaud the attitude of the team...
Fair play, well done lads, to keep going even though we kept losing the lead was superb, hope that gives them confidence to win the next two very winnable home games
— Peter Capel (@CapelPeter) September 15, 2018
Today the #readingfc boys gave a good determined performance. They showed doggedness to come back twice, and it's the sort of thing we've seen on the road before.
— Mick Day (@MickDay99) September 15, 2018
But now they must bring that home.
Great character shown today fair play to all of the players dare I look forward to Wednesday #readingfc
— adam bicknell (@bicknell_adam) September 15, 2018
Great win today!!! The team sho ed so fight and heart! Onwards and Upwards!#READINGFC
— Breaks (@ReadingFCFan1) September 15, 2018
Thank god for that, some dodgy defending but some fight!! thats the start we needed after the international break, now lets build on it lads! #ReadingFC
— Andy RFC (@RoyalBearC) September 15, 2018
A win... at last!
How good does that feel? Finally, Reading managed to gain all three points, and what a way to do it! It was no less than they deserved over the 90 minutes, of course there was some suspect defending, and they definitely rode their luck at times but the Royals were deserved winners.
The scenes at the end when the whole team came over to applaud the fans who had made the long trip up north were brilliant, let’s just hope this is a turning point in our season. The fans certainly carried on their high spirits on Twitter post-game...
They made bloody hard work of it as usual, but #readingfc get a win on the board at long last after a particularly turbulent week. Three goals and finally some spirit and fight shown. Huge for Clement. Hopefully a catalyst for further results and not yet another false dawn. pic.twitter.com/4CWRZYMaIY
— George Flood (@GeorgeFlood24) September 15, 2018
This win has meant so much to me you wouldn’t even believe #readingfc
— George (@AndyYiadom) September 15, 2018
3 points...Finally! A 3-2 away win in that fashion should give a load of confidence #readingfc
— Jordan Buckett (@jordansbuckett) September 16, 2018
Can’t believe I actually saw my team win away #readingfc pic.twitter.com/L0gWpkiiwb
— Charlie (@CaigerRfc) September 16, 2018
— Chris Groves (@vanitysmurf23) September 15, 2018
Conclusion
What a win, but that’s all it is. Reading can’t rest on their laurels, they need to kick on now and turn this season around after a poor start. With two home games coming up against Norwich and Hull next, there is no reason why the Royals can’t kick on and get some more points under their belt.
URZ!
Now you’ve read this, check back on our match report and player ratings from the 3-2 win.