Reading eased their way into round three of the Carabao Cup with a solid performance against a determined Wimbledon side. A superb strike from Liam Fraser gave Reading the lead midway through the first half, but the lead only lasted minutes when slack defending following a corner allowed Beigel to head home unchallenged from close range at the far post. An even contest was settled when Reading scored the crucial second goal with a slick counter-attack twenty minutes from the end. Doyle turned sharply on the halfway line to lose his marker and made a typically penetrating run at the Dons defence before slipping a well-timed pass out wide to Garcia. Garcia drilled in a perfect ball across the box for second half substitute to calmly beat Wimbledon 'keeper McDonnell.

In the early stages neither side were taking any chances in their own half but as the game progressed Reading settled down and looked more composed and progressive in possession. Fraser had a huge influence in the centre of midfield. His excellent touch and composure helped Reading to retain possession and play through midfield. For all their possession Reading were unable to penetrate a physically strong Dons defence. Fraser overcame that issue by cutting in from the left and curling in an unstoppable strike from outside the box.

It was Wimbledon's physical presence at the other end of the pitch which immediately wiped out Reading's lead when Bugiel headed in at the far post two minutes later. Reading continued to play some tidy football but the need for a recognised central striker became increasingly apparent. Reading were not helped by a referee who seemed unable to recognise Wimbledon's shirt-pulling on numerous occasions, notably when Garcia, having outwitted the full back was clearly prevented from having a clear run on goal in the second half.

Camara replaced Lane at the interval to bolster Reading's attack and Doyle began to make his presence felt in midfield making penetrating runs at the Don's defence with the ball. O'Mahony replaced Okine-Peters after sixty-six minutes and almost gave Reading the lead with a looping header. Wimbledon battled on but the quality of Reading's play began to tell and resulted in what turned out to be the winning goal from Camara.

Wimbledon huffed and puffed but Reading managed the game well, including an additional eight minutes of stoppage time for well-deserved victory. The quality of Reading's underlined goals the quality of Reading's football overall. After a subdued first half, the home fans found their voices as the game progressed, ending the evening celebrating a fine performance from their team as the away fans quietly made for the exit.

John Wells