IK Brage 1 Reading 1 - Match Report

Henderson bagged a late equaliser

The Royals return home from Sweden today having disappointingly drawn with the sub-standard Swedish side IK Brage.

Alan Pardew welcomed Nicky Forster and Graeme Murty back into his side but it was striker Darius Henderson who stole the headlines as his late goal saved Reading's blushes.

Goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown, deputising for the rested Marcus Hahnemann, had to be alert in the opening stages of the encounter as Pardew's side seemed to still be at their hotel.

The card-happy ref flashed yellows at Andy Hughes and Steve Brown early in the game, in a bid to curb some of the bite that threatened the game's 'friendly' tag.

Despite some classy first-half saves, Ashdown was powerless to stop Brage's opening goal which came shortly after the interval. The home side's superior play was rewarded when Mounir Tajiu cut inside and slammed a rasping effort past the powerless Ashdown.

Forster played fifty-five minutes

Following the goal, pacy striker Forster, who had not featured in the Royals line-up since May, was withdrawn having played fifty-five minutes. However, the 29-year-old seemed to be in some pain as he left the battlefield. Fozzy, Reading's most influential player last season, may not be fully fit come the opening day of the season on August 9th.

Graeme Murty, who has suffered from a stomach injury, played just thirty minutes but proved himself to be well on the way to recovery.

Unperturbed by the set-back which came from Tajiu's right-foot, Reading went out to make amends. Darius Henderson thought he had leveled the game not long after the Brage goal, but the Swedish keeper somehow kept the young striker's header out. Nathan Tyson, another player who has been in scintillating pre-season form, also went close.

As the Royals pushed forward in a bid to find that elusive leveler, Brage were able to catch the away side on the counter attack. Kevin Watson and Graeme Murty indulged in some comedy defending, helping the Swedes in their quest to find the conclusive second goal. However, the ever-impressive Jamie Ashdown ensured the home side couldn't find the net for the second time.

With five minutes left on the clock Reading got their reward for their second-half attacking play. Nathan Tyson thought he'd scored when he struck Darius Henderson's through ball onto a post, but Darius was on hand to turn home the rebound, albeit at the second attempt.

Following last night's game, Pardew's side now have just two pre-season games remaining. Monday's pre-season friendly at Bournemouth will be followed by the home game against FA Cup finalists Southampton on Friday 1st August.

The Royals will hope to field Shaun Goater against Southampton, but will be unable to do so if they cannot agree personal terms with the Bermudan centre-forward.

Reading Line-Up: Ashdown, Newman, Williams, Brown (Murty 45, [Savage 75]), Shorey, Murray (Sidwell 70), Hughes, Harper, Salako (Watson 70), Forster (Tyson 55), Butler (Henderson 45)