Hicks And Wing Star In Final Pre-Season Win

By Hob Nob Anyone?

It's unfortunate that pre-season friendly results mean very little going into the new season, after Reading wrapped up their pre-season with a strong 3-0 away victory at Charlton on Saturday behind closed doors. However, a very impressive run of pre-season performances hopefully does indicate some potential ahead of the new season with a group of players that have shown they can play as a tean.

On Friday evening a team of mostly academy players also secured a 1-0 victory at Crawley Town and a couple of players from that game also featured in the win at the Valley. Lewis Wing started the scoring on Saturday with a free kick just before half time and Reece Evans headed home half way through the second half. WIth just under 10 minutes left Reading made it 3-0 and it was Lewis Wing again with an excellent finish from the edge of the box.

From the Discussion

HO Hound 1 Aug 2026 · 4:11pm

Hicks was certainly tidy. I like all the u21s who have played preseason, really hope we don’t just ignore them and buy in journeymen. Obvs so loans will be good but think Osho and Hicks could be 1st team squad Looked very decent today. Lots of energy, pace and mobility up front, press well and solid enough at the back. The pressing up front and winning the ball high makes a massive difference, two things we were genuinely awful at last year. It’s not the likes of Ritchie, Marriott or Lanes game and MoM was headless. The pace we have at the back now makes it more viable
RM Royal Monkey 1 Aug 2026 · 4:18pm

What position does Hicks play ? Who was the Evans that played as I thought Reece Evan’s had gone to Bedford ?
SU Sutekh 1 Aug 2026 · 4:18pm

Worryingly comfortable :lol: Conceded v Farnborough and another one v Getafe but otherwise have done very well in preseason games for the first time in a while. Let’s hope things can carry on into the season. Just down the road next week at Bromley for first game that matters of the new season and they’re certainly going to be right up for it after promotion last term.
SU Sutekh 1 Aug 2026 · 4:22pm

It was Reece, no idea why he’s not playing in Bedford’s pre season but presume the clubs have agreed that he can stay with Reading until next week (presume it’s just that it’s better for him to get professional training in Reading rather than the part time set up of non league).
WE WestYorksRoyal 1 Aug 2026 · 4:24pm

We look good. Makes the end of the transfer window more important. I expect us to start well, but the squad as it is will run out of gas as the season goes on. 2 or 3 more quality additions and perhaps we can last the distance.
RA rabidbee 1 Aug 2026 · 4:30pm

Think they said commentary he’d been allowed to stay and play today because of the illness in the squad.
RM Royal Monkey 1 Aug 2026 · 4:31pm

Oh ok thanks for that. Maybe we’ll cancel the loan and hold on to him with Marriott and Patton injured ? What position is Hicks ? He’s one of the youngsters I don’t think I’ve heard of
SU Sutekh 1 Aug 2026 · 4:37pm

Hicks is an attacking midfielder I believe but can play a more anchored central midfield role.
RM Royal Monkey 1 Aug 2026 · 4:41pm

Oh nice thanks for all info. Would be great to see some of these young players come thru and given a chance this season
WE WestYorksRoyal 1 Aug 2026 · 5:01pm

In Hicks' position, we have Stokes as first choice and Brown who has played a lot of his career as a support striker. Do we need another option, or is it just blocking the pathway? It depends - if a genuinely good L1 option is available to compete with Stokes then perhaps we should do it. But we should not be going after cheap loans or frees as an "extra body".
HO Hound 1 Aug 2026 · 5:34pm

Assuming everyone is fit and we don’t sign someone new very quickly I think I’d be looking at JP Dokes PoC Ward Roberts Wing Rino Lisbie Stokes Osho Brown For Luton Bench something like Stevens, Dorsett, Fraser, Savage, Marriott, Lane, Kyeweera For Luton. That’s still leaving out Abrefa, Ahmed, Hicks, Beacroft who have all had good preseasons/experienced players in Abrefa
MS Mid Sussex Royal 1 Aug 2026 · 5:43pm

And R Williams....maybe he's out favour same as Savage.

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