Perfect preparation for hat-trick hero Tabb

Jay Tabb ended his Reading goal drought with a hat-trick in an 8-1 thrashing of Bray Wanderers.

Tabb belied his shot-shy reputation in the friendly arranged due to a free weekend in the club's calendar. Reading had not played for a week and a half after their match with Chelsea was brought forward due to the latter's involvement in the UEFA Super Cup and their fixture at Sunderland was washed out. Their next assignment is the visit of Spurs in almost two weeks' time and midfielder Tabb told the club's official website: "This is a nice lead into the Tottenham game. "We look forward to the game with a bit of confidence and a good work out behind us." Of his goalscoring exploits, he added, jokingly: "I haven't scored since October 2008 - and yet the gaffer has just told me that I'm starting up front against Spurs!"