Meite on target as trialists feature in pre-season win
READING FC made a winning start to pre-season in a behind closed doors friendly at Bearwood Park against Colchester United.
Paul Ince’s team, which included new loan signing Joe Lumley in goal, Tom Holmes, Yakou Meite and Lucas Joao, as well as several trialists, went ahead early on courtesy of an own goal.
The Royals doubled their lead when Joao was knocked over inside the box just as he was about to shoot.
Meite stepped up to take responsibility from the spot and drilled the ball low into the corner to extend Reading’s advantage.
Luke Southwood came on towards the end of the first-half, while Tom McIntyre, Ovie Ejaria, Dejan Tetek, Louie Holzman, Kian Leavy and Jeriel Dorsett all entered the contest in the second-half.
Believed to be among the trailists in the Reading team included Connor Wickham and Massimo Luongo.
29-year-old striker Wickham has had an injury hit career after making a promising start to his career.
He spent four years in the Reading academy from 2002-2006 before joining Ipswich Town, where he made his breakthrough.
After leaving Ipswich, he has had spells with Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds united, Crystal Palace, Preston North end and most recently Milton Keynes Dons.
He played 13 league games and scored once for League One side MK Dons in the 2021/22 season.
Meanwhile, 29-year-old midfielder Luongo is a free agent after being released by Sheffield Wednesday.
After a youth career with Tottenham, Luongo has played for Ipswich, Swindon Town, Queens Park Rangers and then spent three years with Wednesday.
He has vast experience at Championship level having turned out 142 times for QPR, scoring 10 goals, while he made 64 league appearances for Wednesday.
The Australian international, who has played 43 times for his country, made 25 appearances for Wednesday in League One last campaign.