Despite starting their League One campaign with a narrow loss at home to Peterborough United, there were positives for the Royals to take.
After a turbulent summer at the club, Ruben Selles team got underway for competitive action by hosting last year’s beaten play-off semi-finalists.
The Posh went home with all three points as Ephron Mason-Clark netted the only goal of the game in the 43rd minute when his header looped over Dean Bouzanis to find the far corner.
Prior to Peterborough’s goal, it was Reading who had looked more likely and had showed promising signs.
Selles’ relentless high pressing style was on show throughout the opening 45 minutes as Reading had joy on several occasions by forcing mistakes from the visitors in their half.
There were some new signings on display as young midfielder Charlie Savage and Harvey Knibbs were both handed their competitive debuts.
Selles has so far completed six new signings over the summer and still hopes to add several more new faces to bolster the squad before the summer transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.
Up next for Reading is a trip to face Championship side Millwall in the EFL Cup before they travel away to Port Vale on Saturday in their first away league match of the campaign.
