A brace from Brett Pitman guided Bournemouth to a 3-0 win over Reading in their Championship clash at Dean Court this evening.
The Royals settled into match the better of the sides and almost found a way through the Bournemouth backline when Nick Blackman threaded a through-ball to Hal Robson-Kanu. The forward took a touch, but was crowded out before he could fire at goal.
Bournemouth were handed an opportunity when Chris Gunter slipped at the back for the visitors and Callum Wilson pounced on the ball. Wilson decided to cross the ball back into the area instead of shooting, but none of his teammates was in the box to capitalise.
Reading went close before the break when Gunter's cross down the right was deflected onto the post, and Jamie Mackie was the first to react but he could only blast the ball over the bar from close range.
In the second half, the home side took the lead in the 50th minute when Marc Pugh raided down the left and lifted a pinpoint cross into the box for an unmarked Wilson to head home from close range.
Bournemouth doubled their lead minutes later when Wilson robbed Michael Hector in possession and released the run of Brett Pitman down the left, and the striker held his composure to slot the ball past Adam Federici.
Pitman notched his second of the game as he got the better of his man in the box and expertly volleyed Matt Ritchie's corner home from close range.
The striker was denied his hat-trick as Federici made a point-blank save when Pitman latched on to a cross at the back post and blasted a volley at the keeper, who made the impressive stop.
Simon Sinclair
