Reading vs Leeds United. Sky Bet Championship.
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Sunday 16 August 2015 18:50, UK
Reading and Leeds were equally poor as they played out a 0-0 draw in a contest devoid of any meaningful incidents.
The Royals have failed to win a Sky Bet Championship game at the Madejski Stadium since March, a sequence spanning six matches.
Leeds were similarly uninspired, though Chris Wood almost won it for them near the end with a shot from long distance that flew narrowly over.
Leeds were a shade fortunate to escape unscathed in only the second minute, when captain Sol Bamba brought down Hal Robson-Kanu on the edge of the area.
As Robson-Kanu had been veering away from goal, referee Chris Kavanagh deemed the foul worthy of only a yellow card. From the free-kick, Oliver Norwood sent a weak effort straight into the arms of Leeds goalkeeper Marco Silvestri.
Leeds offered little going forward, with Stuart Dallas failing to muster enough power from a 20-yard drive to trouble home goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.
Reading just about held the edge but Danny Williams should have done better when racing through. He lost control at the crucial moment, under no great pressure, and allowed Silvestri to gather the ball.
Silvestri also easily caught an ambitious 25-yard attempt from Robson-Kanu and then Nick Blackman shot wide.
The second half was equally low key with Paul McShane, the Reading centre back and captain, nodding a chance wide at the far post from a Norwood corner.
Leeds responded from a Kalvin Phillips corner but Wood's headed attempt was deflected behind.
Wood then drove into the side-netting from an angle, as did Reading striker Orlando Sa at the other end after cutting in from the left.
Wood could have made the breakthrough in the 87th minute but his dipping 25-yard effort whistled over Bond's crossbar.
