Reading climbed out of the bottom four with a hard-earned and well-deserved second league victory of the season. The Royals took the lead against the run of play after twenty-one minutes against a well-drilled Orient side who passed the ball well and were hard to break down. Orient dominated possession from the start and it was a slick counterattack which enabled new signing Jack Marriot to notch his third goal in three starts in all competitions. Dorsett made ground on the left and slid an early ball to Savage, who turn found Marriot just outside the box. The in-from striker's first touch took him clear of his marker, and although it was not the cleanest of strikes it was placed perfectly inside the upright. It was goal demonstrating the qualities of an experienced striker.

After going ahead, Reading began to settle into their game and came close to extending their lead twice before the interval. Williams got on the end of a ball to the far post and nodded it back across the six-yard box to Fraser who saw his firm header clawed away by Simpkin. A minute later Williams again was first to a deep cross, this time from a corner, and somehow the two Reading players on the goal line failed to make the crucial touch.

Orient coach Richie Welllens appeared to be incensed by just about everything, including his own players and finally saw yellow for 'protesting' about Ahmed not receiving a card for stopping a ball from going over his head and out of play with an outstretched arm. It was deliberate hand ball, but Ahmed reaction was an instinctive as the ball was clearly going out of play and into the crowd. Reading started the second half started badly, relinquishing their lead after three minutes. Lane got the wrong side of El Mizouni near the halfway line and the Orient wide player was allowed to run at the Reading defence, cut inside and finish well with a strike across goal giving Pereira little hope of getting a hand to it. In the first half it was alarming how frequently Reading allowed Orient to get at the back four with unchallenged penetrating runs through midfield and had finally paid the price for allowing that to happen.

The game was in the balance and Noel Hunt was rewarded for making bold and positive substitutions to wrestle the initiative from the visitors. Ahmed was replaced by the reliable Jacob after receiving a yellow card just after Orient's equaliser, and on his return from injury, Ehiobhatioman put Orient on the back foot by running at their defence down the left. Further changes from both sides came thick and fast. The introduction of Garcia, Ritchie and Doyle increasingly helped to occupy the Orient back four and midfield with defensive duties disrupting their passing game increasing Reading possession.

Kyerewaa came close when the Orient full back switched off and he raced through striking a good shot just wide. Doyle made an immediate impact dinking a nice ball across the box to find Fraser making another well-time run into the box to steer the ball past Simpkin to restore the lead. Reading managed the game well for remaining eleven minutes plus a staggering ten minutes of stoppage time and Orient lost their grip on the game. For all their possession (70%) they could they only match Reading for shots on target (six). In spite of recent criticism, Noel Hunt is clearly getting to know his squad and made all the right decisions today.

John Wells