WILDSCHUT GIVES READING BLUES...
Sub seals points as Trotters march on
READING remain without a Championship point this season after they suffered their third successive defeat – at home to Bolton.
Reading dominated the first half, but John Swift and Sam Baldock were denied by fine saves from Bolton goalkeeper Ben Alnwick.
Bolton introduced loanee Yanic Wildschut at half-time and, in the 48th minute, he slid home a cool finish for what proved to be the winner.
Unbeaten Bolton now have seven points from three outings.
Reading lost to Derby County and Forest in their opening games this term, but defeated Birmingham City 2-0 in the Carabao Cup first round on Tuesday.
Bolton picked up four points from their first two league matches, but an understrength side lost 2-1 at Leeds United in the Carabao Cup.
It was Bolton, managed by former Reading captain Phil Parkinson, who made the brighter start.
However, intricate approach work frequently came to nothing, with home goalkeeper Vito Mannone relatively untroubled.
Reading were the first to seriously threaten when Swift powered in a 20-yard free-kick.
He had scored from a similar set-piece against Birmingham in midweek, but on this occasion, Alnwick made a superb save.
Reading maintained their steady progress, with Bolton forced to retreat and defend in numbers. Mark McNulty had a goalbound effort blocked, Baldock shot over the crossbar and Yakou Meite drove weakly at Alnwick.
Meite should also have done better when finding space in the Bolton area, but he was denied by a fine last-ditch tackle from David Wheater.
Having survived the sustained pressure, Bolton should have gone ahead just past the half-hour mark.
Josh Magennis released Will Buckley yet, with only Mannone to beat, he shot tamely at the Italian. Reading replied with a fierce attempt from Baldock, which Alnwick did very well to parry to safety.
Parkinson brought on Wildschut for Buckley at the interval and he was rewarded within three minutes of the restart.
Craig Noone flicked the ball through and Wildschut ran on to it before calmly placing the ball under the diving Mannone.
It was the second goal of the new campaign for the Dutch winger, who is on a season-long loan from Norwich City.
Reading responded positively, but Alnwick was rarely tested. Swift also engineered a chance for himself, when cutting in to the byline, but he was eventually crowded out at the near post.
Reading manager Paul Clement called on his players to be mentally stronger.
“You’ve got to use adversity to make you stronger and better. At the moment, the games are ticking by and we’ve not done that.”