Player ratings: How the Royals performed
LUKE SOUTHWOOD 7: A solid showing on his Royals debut. Made a superb reaction save to keep out what would have been an unfortunate Michael Morrison own goal. Made a few comfortable saves and couldn’t have done anything to prevent Colchester’s opener FELIPE ARARUNA 7: Got forward a fair amount to offer support from right-back and got an assist for the equaliser with an inviting cross which was converted by Lucas Joao. MICHAEL MORRISON 6: Put in some vital blocks and looked to start attacks from the back by trying to pick out the forwards from deep. Was caught out of position for Colchester’s opener.
LIAM MOORE 6: Likewise to Morrison, the skipper put in plenty of important tackles and one brilliant block in particular in the first half as former Royal Callum Harriott looked poised to get a shot on target.
ETHAN BRISTOW 6: Another debutant in the Royals line-up. Looked suspect on a couple of occasions early in the match but grew into the game and put in a decent display at leftback.
JOSH LAURENT 7: Looks to be an astute signing if the early signs are anything to go by. Provided plenty of industry in the middle of the park and improved throughout the second half when he was joined in the middle by Andy Rinomhota.
MICHAEL OLISE 8: Showed his impressive foot work on several occasions and was always willing to take defenders on. Expect this to be a breakthrough season from a young player with plenty of talent.
SONE ALUKO 4: A quiet display from a man who has been on the periphery at Reading for the last couple of seasons. Switched from being played centrally to the left-wing in the second half but struggled to mark his stamp on the game. MARC MCNULTY 4: Another player who hasn’t featured much since signing for the Royals but may get his chance of redemption under a new boss. He will have to do much more to force his way into the side. Taken off at half-time after struggling to make an impact.
SAM BALDOCK 5: Looked to make runs behind the Colchester defence but looked a yard off the pace and was left frustrated on more than one occasion after losing the ball. LUCAS JOAO 10: Header. Left foot. Right foot. Joao took the matchball after his stunning display fired Reading through to the next round. Will be vitally important this season if they can keep him fit and firing.
Subs:
ANDY RINOMHOTA 7: Gave the Royals much more control in the midfield after coming on as a half-time sub and provided a better balance to the team. MELVIN-LAMBERT 5: Replaced the hat-trick hero and should have got himself on the scoresheet but the keeper won the battle of wits from a oneon-one and made a smart save.