Reading impress prospective new owner with League One victory over Wigan

Reading tasted victory for the first time this season with a 2-0 League One victory over Wigan in front of prospective new owner Rob Couhig at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

American financier Couhig – the former Wycombe owner – will have been impressed as a fluent Reading dominated most of the first half after going ahead through Charlie Savage’s seventh-minute goal.

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan made it 2-0 in the 57th minute and Reading were rarely troubled thereafter by a tame Wigan showing.

Couhig, 75, and his consortium are expected to take control of the Berkshire club early next week, ending the often-turbulent seven-year reign of Chinese businessman Dai Yongge after an 11-month sale process.

Reading went in front from a deep Amadou Mbengue cross early on that Ehibhatiomhan cut back from the byline for Savage to cleverly guide home.

Wigan’s solitary effort of the half saw home goalkeeper Joel Pereira save easily from Joe Hugill’s weak attempt, with Sam Smith, Mamadi Camara and Ehibhatiomhan all missing chances to double Reading’s lead before the break.

Twelve minutes into an initially more-even second period, the hosts extended their advantage when Wigan keeper Sam Tickle denied the onrushing Smith, only for Ehibhatiomhan to casually tap home the loose ball into the empty net.

Pereira did have to make a smart save to turn away a Jordan Jones shot later on but Reading remained largely unthreatened in the closing stages.