Yanic Wildschut heaps more misery on Reading
Posted Sunday, August 19, 2018 by PA
Yanic Wildschut struck the winner as Bolton condemned Reading to a third consecutive Sky Bet Championship defeat with a 1-0 victory at the Madejski Stadium.
Reading dominated the first half with John Swift and Sam Baldock both denied by fine saves from goalkeeper Ben Alnwick.
But Bolton introduced Norwich loanee Wildschut at half-time and, in the 48th minute, he slid home a cool finish for what proved to be the only goal of the game to maintain Wanderers’ unbeaten start.
Both teams secured Championship survival on the final day of last season, Bolton with a dramatic 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.
Reading lost to Derby and Forest in their opening games this term but defeated Birmingham 2-0 in the Carabao Cup first round on Tuesday.
Bolton picked up four points from their first two league matches but an under-strength side lost 2-1 at Leeds in midweek in the League 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 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 calming 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.
Reading responded positively but Alnwick was rarely tested, with Baldock and Swift both off target with poor efforts.
Swift also engineered a chance for himself, when cutting in to the byline, but he was eventually crowded out at the near post.
As Reading gradually ran out of ideas, Bolton held on comfortably for the win.
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