FINAL SCORE: Reading 1 Swans 1
24th July
Kyle Bartley scored a second-half equaliser for the Swans as they continued their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 friendly draw against Championship side Reading at Wycombe's Adams Park.
After a fairly even first half where chances were at a premium, the Swans finished the game strongly but were denied victory when both Marvin Emnes and Jonjo Shelvey hit the woodwork.
It was another good workout for Garry Monk's side as they continue their countdown to their Barclays Premier League opener at Chelsea on August 8.
Swans boss Garry Monk named a strong line-up for the first of a friendly double-header this weekend with another first team squad heading to Nottingham Forest tomorrow (3pm) before ending the pre-season preparations at the Liberty Stadium next Saturday against Deportivo La Coruna (5.30pm).
Reading provided the first domestic opposition of the pre-season following the club's return from a week-long training camp in Germany where they took on Borussia Monchengladbach (1-1) and 1860 Munich (W2-1).
Playing at Wycombe's Adams Park to allow Reading to complete ground renovations at the Madejski Stadium, new signing Kristoffer Nordfelt started in goal with Angel Rangel and newcomer Franck Tabanou at full-back. Kyle Bartley and Stephen Kingsley were in the heart of the defence with Leon Britton (captain), Jonjo Shelvey and Gylfi Sigurdsson in midfield. Nathan Dyer and Jefferson Montero, making his first appearance since returning from the Copa America, were on the wings with Marvin Emnes leading the line.
Jay Fulton, Raheem Hanley, Mo Barrow, Josh Sheehan and trialist goalkeeper Josh Vickers made up the bench.
They faced a Reading side that finished 19th in the Championship last season. Manager Steve Clarke named a strong side.
Reading: Jonathan Bond, Chris Gunter, Jordan Obitam Anton Ferdinand, Niall Keown, Oliver Norwood, Aaron Tshibola, Danny Williams, Stephen Quinn, Nick Blackman, Pavel Pogrebnyak.
Subs: Ali Al-Habsi, Sean Long, Shane Griffin, Hope Akpan, Aaron Kuhl, Jake Taylor, Andrija Novakovich, Dominic Samuel.
Swansea City: Nordfelt; Rangel, Tabanou, Bartley, Kingsley, Britton (c), Sigurdsson, Shelvey, Dyer, Montero, Emnes.
Subs: Fulton, Hanley, Sheehan, Barrow, Vickers (GK).
Ref: I Williams
Att: 1,284
MATCH ACTION
Swansea kept good possession early on before Jefferson Montero carved out the first opening with one of his darting runs. His pass found Marvin Emnes, but the striker fired wide under pressure with five minutes gone.
Montero was causing all sorts of problems down the left with his pace, pulling two dangerous crosses back which Reading scrambled clear.
Gylfi Sigurdsson fired a 25-yard free-kick high over the bar as both sides were still searching for a clear-cut opening with 14 minutes gone.
With both sides passing the ball around well on a slick surface, Reading were enjoying a good spell with 25 minutes gone as Jonjo Shelvey and Leon Britton were warned by the referee after two heavy fouls in the middle of the park.
Then on the half-hour, skipper Danny Williams cut in from the left to curl an effort just wide of the far top corner of Kristoffer Nordfelt's goal, before the Swedish 'keeper did well to cut out a Jordan Obita cross after 32 minutes.
Britton became the first player in the referee's notebook after 37 minutes for a foul on Pavel Pogrebnyak with Oliver Norwood curled the free kick just wide.
Swansea replied immediately after good work by Angel Rangel sent Shelvey clear. The midfielder delivered a dangerous cross into the area which goalkeeper Jonathan Bond couldn't hold low down, but Welsh international Chris Gunter cleared the danger as Marvin Emnes looked to apply the finishing touch from six yardsBritton became the first player in the referee's notebook after 37 minutes for a foul on Pavel Pogrebnyak with Oliver Norwood curled the free kick just wide.
Swansea replied immediately after good work by Angel Rangel sent Shelvey clear. The midfielder delivered a dangerous cross into the area which goalkeeper Jonathan Bond couldn't hold low down, but Welsh international Chris Gunter cleared the danger as Marvin Emnes looked to apply the finishing touch from six yards.
Swansea stayed on the attack as a great ball from Shelver sent Nathan Dyer racing clear. The winger delivered a great cross, but Niall Keown cleared over his own bar under pressure from Emnes for a corner.
Half-time: Reading 0 Swans 0.
The Swans made one change for the start of the second half as Jay Fulton replaced Leon Britton.
But Swansea fell behind within 40 seconds of the restart as Nick Blackman unleashed a fierce drive from 25 yards, which flew in off the underside of the crossbar.
Swansea were back on terms within two minutes, however, as Montero forced his way to the byline before drilling across the face of goal where Kyle Bartley was waiting to tap the ball home to make it 1-1.
The game had really come to life now as Pogrebnyak struck the post with 48 minutes gone, while Bartley nearly grabbed his second ten minutes later after Dyer won a free-kick wide on the left. Shelvey delivered an inviting cross to the back post, which just evaded the head of the big central defender.
Just after the hour-mark, Shelvey saw an effort of his own fly just wide of the post after Dyer teed up the English midfielder on the edge of the box.
Swansea made their second substitution with 20 minutes remaining as Modou Barrow replaced Montero, whose performance would have pleased his manager.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Shelvey nearly put the Swans in front through his own corner! His audacious in-swinging delivery from the left flew over the head of Royals stopper Bond and hit the far post.
In the 82nd minute, the Swans went close again after good work from Fulton set up Shelvey, whose fierce drive from the edge of the area was too hot for Jonathan Bond to handle as he parried the ball out. Emnes was quick to follow up but fired a difficult bouncing ball against the crossbar.
Despite Swansea finishing strongly, they couldn't find a breakthrough.
