CONCLUDING THE FESTIVE PERIOD UNBEATEN Reading played out a goalless draw with Charlton on Saturday afternoon to make it 10 points from a possible 12 across the Christmas period and re-inforce our position in the top six.The Royals got the game underway in freezing conditions in the capital, with the opening exchanges seeing the Royals on the front foot with their pressing, putting the hosts under pressure in their own half. Down the other end Charlton were looking to get crosses into the box, but resolute defending meant they were unable to create any opportunities.As the clock ticked past the ten minute mark, Reading enjoyed back to back corners that subsequently gave the Addicks something to think about. The Royals recycled the ball from the initial corner, which gave the returning Kelvin Abrefa a chance to cross into the box, it created a melee with the bouncing ball, but unfortunately it wouldn't quite drop for the Noel Hunt's attackers.Harvey Knibbs had the first chance of note in the game on 14 minutes. Another cross into the box from Abrefa saw the ball ricochet to our number 7, his first time strike was on target but very well blocked at close quarters by the Charlton defence.The host's first shot of the game came on 19 minutes when wideman Thierry Smalls fired a speculative effort goalwards from all of 35 yards. It gave something for Joel Pereira to think about, but El Gato was able to coolly determine a save wasn't required and it sailed over his bar.At the midway point in the half, the unlikely duo of Amadou Mbengue and Tyler Bindon went close to opening the scoring. Full back for the day Mbengue was able to send a pinpoint cross into the box in the direction of Bindon, who ran onto the ball and looked to apply a deft touch into the far corner of the goal, but he didn't quite get enough on it and it bobbled wide.Tyreece Campbell forced Pereira into a save in the final five minutes of the half. The wide man was able to wriggle past Mbengue and Knibbs on the left hand wing and send a right footed shot goalwards, the effort may have been going wide, but Pereira was unsure and deflected it wide for a corner.Half-time: Charlton Athletic 0-0 Readingreading.JPGThe Royals flew out the traps in the second half, with Knibbs and Sam Smith combining to create the best chance of the game within 25 seconds of the restart. The goalscorers from Wednesday's win at Cambridge combined well, with Knibbs feeding a pinpoint pass forward to the striker Smith. Our number 10 did well to get goalside of the man, but his chip over the keeper Maynard-Brewer was deflected just wide by the keeper.Smith was in the action once more just a few minutes later when he saw a volleyed effort deflected wide via the arm of a Charlton defender, the referee was unmoved and signalled for a corner. From the resulting set piece Harlee Dean made a strong run to the near post to get his head on the ball, but he got too much on it and it went wide.The fast paced start to the half continued when Charlton had the ball in the net courtesy of a deflected Tyrese Campbell effort. The wide man wheeled away in celebration with his teammates, but was unaware the offside flag had rightly been raised. The Royals had hoped to make a quick restart to the proceedings with the Charlton players celebrating, but the referee prevented this from happening.As the game entered the final quarter, Pereira made a smart save to deny a volleyed effort from Charlton skipper Greg Docherty. The ball travelled through multiple players after the Royals defence had originally cleared a corner, with the Portuguese able to not only deny a goal but also grasp the ball into safety.With 20 minutes of the allotted 90 remaining, the Royals had Harlee Dean to thank after a fantastic goal line clearance to keep the match level. Pereira had initially struggled to seize a Thierry Small cross, Miles Leaburn was able to pounce and shoot goalwards, but the experience centre back was in the right place at the right time and cleared well.Kelvin Abrefa was removed from the action on 70 minutes after putting in a strong performance on his return to the starting line-up, he was replaced by Ashqar Ahmed.The Royals were denied a penalty once more with a Smith shot seemingly striking the arm of Lloyd Jones in the box, but the referee ruled against Noel Hunt's side again.The hosts went close to opening the scoring with a quarter of an hour of the game remaining, a cross into the box saw Jones able to strike goalwards but Pereira was able to save well in the centre of his goal.Charlton were knocking on the door, and the Royals were thankful for a fantastic Charlie Savage intervention to prevent his team going behind late on. Tyreece Campbell looked to have broken the offside trap and was through on goal, but a fantastic covering run from the Welshman and a pinpoint tackle saw the danger averted.Jayden Wareham was brought on with ten minutes remaining, he replaced the lively Andre Garcia who had once againput in a big shift for his team.Four minutes of additional time was indicated and passed with little incident, the Royals able to secure a commendable point at the in form Addicks.Full-time: Charlton Athletic 0-0 Readingreport Reading FC media team images Reading FC
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