Skip to content
Full Time After Extra Time This is a live match. Extra Time Half Time

Reading vs Nottingham Forest. Sky Bet Championship.

Select Car Leasing StadiumAttendance19,640.

Reading 0

    Nottingham Forest 0

    • L Chambers (sent off 88th minute)

    Royals fail to cut down Forest

    Image: Rodgers: Starts with a draw

    Reading and Nottingham Forest played out a 0-0 draw at the Madejski Stadium.

    Honours even as season starts at Madejski Stadium

    Reading and Nottingham Forest played out a 0-0 draw at the Madejski Stadium in their first game of the new Championship season. The Royals, who were under the management of Brendan Rodgers for the first time in a competitive match, have now still to win at home since January. Jimmy Kebe wasted the best chance of the match for Reading as he stabbed wide from six yards, while Forest were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages as Luke Chambers was sent off for a second yellow card. Billy Davies' Forest had opportunities of their own, but also failed to find the target as honours were left even. Rodgers joined the Royals from Watford in the summer and handed debuts to academy graduates Scott Davies and Hal Robson-Kanu, while Simon Church led the line in only his second appearance for the club, with Shane Long left on the bench.

    Mistake

    Republic of Ireland internationals Noel and Stephen Hunt were both ruled out through injury for the hosts, while midfielder James Harper was on the bench after a move to Wolves fell through this week. The Royals were dominating the early possession with Church at the fore but a mistake by goalkeeper Adam Federici almost led to an early goal for Forest. Federici shanked a goal-kick straight to Dele Adebola and his ball was driven in low by strike partner David McGoldrick but the chance was saved. Poland international Radoslaw Majewski then shot inches wide as the visitors upped the pace before McGoldrick dragged a shot wide. Church had Reading's first effort on goal but failed to get any power on a header which was easily saved by Lee Camp as the sides went in level at the break.
    Early chance
    Joe Garner had an early chance to put Forest ahead in the second half when he got on the end of a Chris Cohen cross but his effort flashed wide. Davies brought Robert Earnshaw on for McGoldrick while Rodgers sent Long into the action as both sides searched for a goal. The lively Davies almost fashioned the opener but his low shot across the six-yard box was stabbed wide by Kebe with the goal gaping. Davies sent a free-kick just over from 25 yards as the Royals pushed forward before Jem Karacan shot wide after a strong run. Long sent a strike over the top as Rodgers' new side searched for an elusive home win but Forest, who saw Chambers sent off with two minutes remaining, held on to share the points.

    Around Sky