Reading defeated Cannock 4-1 to end the first half of the NOW: Pensions League programme on a high.
This was a re-arranged game, with the first fixture last month having been abandoned at half-time due to mist.
Blues were leading 1-0 at the time, so they will feel that justice has been done with this win on Sunday.
They took the lead in the 22nd minute from a Rick Mantell penalty corner.
From the next penalty corner, Rick hit the woodwork and within a minute Cannock had forced a penalty corner of their own, which saw Peter Jackson bring the scores level in the 32nd minute.
But two minutes later, from another penalty corner, Mantell regained the lead for the hosts.
The best goal on a chilly afternoon at Sonning Lane came in the 41st minute. Ben Boon won the ball in midfield and surged down the left wing before cutting in and crossing to the far post, where Peter Scott turned it into the net.
Aaron Hibbell, who received a late call up for the match, made it 4-1 after 51 minutes from a chance set up by Jonty Clarke. It was the youngster's first league goal for the club.
With Tom Carson (on England duty), Simon Mantell (injured) and skipper Chris Newman (unavailable) all missing, player-coach Andy Watts made his first league appearance of the season and nearly scored, but keeper Dave Forrester managed to palm his effort away.
Reading finish the first half of the season fifth in the table, five points behind fourth-placed Wimbledon, so they are certainly still in with a chance of making the play-offs. Their next league fixture is the return at Cannock on February 7th.
With Watts playing, former England coach Jason Lee kindly assisted the Reading bench.