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Boss Mick McCarthy is in no doubt which of Town’s next two games he sees as most important - Saturday’s bread and butter Championship clash at home to Bristol City rather than tomorrow’s more glamorous Capital One Cup third round tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Orlando Sa’s hat-trick saw Reading to a 5-1 victory over Town at the Madejski Stadium, the Blues’ heaviest defeat for nearly three years. Sa put the home side ahead in the seventh minute, Freddie Sears equalised soon afterwards before the Portuguese frontman made it 2-1 at the break. In the second half Nick Blackman made it 3-1 and Sa completed his hat-trick before Oliver Norwood lashed in a late fifth.
Kevin Bru and David McGoldrick - from the penalty spot - twice gave the Blues the lead at Colchester but the U’s ran out 3-2 victors in the now-annual friendly at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. For the home side, Alex Gilbey scored twice and Gavin Massey a late, late winner.