After Tuesday’s outing at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading FC had an uphill climb to recover, re-group and put in a performance at the University of Bradford Stadium on Saturday. That they did not.

Reading boss Leam Richardson changed the starting formation for the first time this season, usually preferring the 4-2-3-1 he switched it to 3-4-2-1.

Jeriel Dorsett, Derrick Williams and Paudie O’Connor filling up the back line – Randell Williams, Lewis Wing, Charlie Savage and Kelvin Abrefa in the midfield – Daniel Kyerewaa and Kamari Doyle both as attacking midfielders and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan reprises the sole striker role.

Bradford turned the pressure up from the first kick of the game as Stephen Humphrys, who played under Reading boss Leam Richardson at Wigan, took a right footed shot from just outside the box which was saved by Joel Pereira.

Reading initially responded well with two shots on goal from Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and Kamari Doyle, both of which should have found the back of the net. The Brighton loanee, who was playing on the right of an attacking midfield three found himself one on one with keeper, he tried to round the keeper with his shot but it was parried into the path of Kelvin who takes a shot and puts too much on it and it goes over the bar.

Bradford then hit right back with a shot from Tyreik Wright which was saved by Pereira.

The game relatively calmed down after the back-and-forth passages of attacking play, neither team dominating control nor create an attacking threat. Near the half-hour mark Charlie Savage had a chance for Reading through a half-volley from just outside the box but it goes over the bar.

Kelvin E. then had a chance on goal himself from the centre of the box, but it ends up going wide, falling to Kelvin A. on the edge of the six-yard box, the young wide-man who was playing in higher-up in midfield lashed at the ball but it was blocked.

Bradford then get on the break and get forward but are put under pressure by Randell Williams and Derrick Williams – they force a throw-in. Antoni Sarcevic then had a chance for Bradford but it was from a difficult angle and is shot too high – but it signalled that the Bantams were not relenting from their pursuit of a goal.

Tension kept building between the two teams, as they kept causing fouls and playing mind-games to get in each other’s heads, it finally cracked when Kelvin E. jumped up to get a header from a Pereira goal-kick and he left too much elbow catching Aden Baldwin – He was booked.

Three minutes were added on at the end of the half, but that was the last major action of the first half.

Reading finished the half with five shots, one on target, two big chances created and 12 long balls.

HT: Bradford City 0 – 0 Reading FC

Bradford City v Reading FC. EFL Sky Bet League One 25/26. (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

The second-half started off really scrappy with Paudie O’Connor picking up a booking within two minutes after a tackle on Tyreik Wright – his tackled was forced as Jeriel Dorsett misplaced pass left Reading open to a dangerous counter-attack.

The first chance of the half fell to Bradford – and it spurred them on to open the scoring. Humphrys has a left footed shot from the left side of the box which is blocked, it falls to Ibou Touray who send in a cross to Brad Halliday for a header from the centre of the box which is also blocked. The blocked ball falls sweetly for Antoni Sarcevic who hits a first time half-volley with his right foot shot straight into the bottom left corner.

Three minutes later they were back on the attack with Jenson Metcalfe taking a shot from outside the box but it goes wide to the left. The attacking floodgates had opened for Bradford as Sarcevic ,looking for his second, missed a right footed shot.

Richardson had seen enough and decided to make a change – Like-for-like Andy Yiadom came on for Jeriel Dorsett and Kamari Doyle made way for Jack Marriott.

Marriott took up a forward role as Kelvin E. dropped a bit deeper playing alongside Kyerewaa – The veteran striker came to life straight away as he found Kyerewaa in the box but his shot was ultimately blocked. It then falls for Savage on the edge of the box Charlie Savage who strikes it but it’s saved by former Reading goalkeeper Sam Walker.

Bradford were forced to substitute their goal scorer Sarcevic as he fell to the ground injured and Bobby Pointon took his place in the 73rd minute.

The game turned into a frenzy of tackles and long-balls for the better part of ten minutes, with no significant action taken by Reading to equalise. Charlie Savage made way for long-term injury returnee Liam Fraser in the 79th minute, as Andre Garcia came on for Kelvin E.

Bradford brought on Will Swan to replace Humphrys due to an injury.

Reading got forward with Randell Williams crossing a ball into Jack Marriott in the box but his header goes completely wide.

Three minutes later, Bradford would go on the attack and deal the finishing blow to Reading through a substitute Bobby Pointon. After Reading failed to clear the ball from the box, a Tyreik Wright cross from the right side of box caught the defenders and Joel Pereira out as Pointon rose to the occasion and headed it into an open net.

That would be the last significant action of the game as Reading succumb to their second loss in a row.

Reading had three shots the entire second-half with only one on target – letting Bradford dominated with six shots with two on target, resulting in their two goals.

Bradford showed why they are second in the league and favourites for ‘back-to-back’ promotions. Reading, who are currently 19th in the league, play Luton at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Thursday at 8pm.

Full match attendance: 19,123

Bradford: Sam Walker, Joe Wright, Aden Baldwin, Ciaran Kelly, Brad Halliday, Max Power, Ibou Touray, Jenson Metcalfe, Antoni Sarcevic (Bobby Pointon 73′), Stephen Humphrys (Will Swan 79′), Tyreik Wright

Not Used: Joe Hilton, Josh Neufville, Tom McIntyre, Curtis Tilt, Tommy Leigh,

Reading: Joel Pereira, Kelvin Abrefa, Paudie O’Connor, Derrick Williams, Jeriel Dorsett (Andy Yiadom 62′), Charlie Savage (Liam Fraser 78′), Lewis Wing (C), Kamari Doyle ( Jack Marriott 63′), Daniel Kyerewaa, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan (Andre Garcia 79′) , Randell Williams (Mamadi Camara 88′).

Not Used: Jack Stevens, Finley Burns

Goals: A. Sarcevic (56′), B. Pointon (84′)