Attempting to get the better of Benfica was a step too far for Reading last week, but Paul Ince has witnessed his side claim two convincing wins over Colchester United and Maidenhead either side of the 2-0 loss to Benfica, scoring six goals and conceding none in the process.
Jeff Hendrick, Tom Ince, Lucas Joaoand Connor Wickham were all on target for the Royals in the 4-0 crushing of Maidenhead on Tuesday, and the club have since welcomed a former teenage protege back to the club for a second spell.
Following his departure from Southampton, 35-year-old Shane Longhas returned to Berkshire for another stint in blue and white as Ince’s side build up to their Championship opener against Blackpool on July 30.
Wimbledon, Brighton & Hove Albion and Bracknell Town will all face off against Reading before the new domestic campaign commences, but West Ham will not be in any sort of charitable mood on Saturday.
Senior and youth players were in abundance in both of West Ham’s squads for their friendlies with Ipswich and Boreham Wood on Tuesday, but only one of Moyes’s teams emerged triumphant, as the Tractor Boys fell to a 2-1 loss.
Kurt Zouma and Daniel Chesters were on target against Ipswich, who grabbed a consolation through Kane Vincent-Young15 minutes from time, while Said Benrahma netted against Boreham Wood before the National League side levelled through Will Evans in a 1-1 draw.
Nevertheless, the Hammers remain unbeaten in pre-season so far after also getting the better of Swiss outfit Servette 2-0 earlier this month, but Moyes’s side must still take on Lens, Luton Town and Rangers before the end of July.
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stint in the Europa Conference League awaits West Ham following their unsuccessful attempts to go all the way in the Europa League last
season, and until then, all eyes will be on the transfer market as Moyes continues his search for a new centre-forward.
West Ham and Reading have not locked horns competitively since the Hammers ran out 4-2 winners in the 2012-13 Premier League season, which ended a run of three consecutive victories for the Royals since 2011.
