by Johnny Moore at Hogwood Park
Pompey were soundly beaten in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Royals’ training base.
But 15-year-old keeper Tom Fry (pictured) saved two penalties to limit the damage for Paul Smalley’s side.
Reading opened the scoring after just 12 minutes when David Murphy found space to tuck the ball home.
And a well-drilled home side made life difficult for Pompey, who struggled to create any clear-cut chances.
The Royals had the chance to extend their advantage when Jordan Fitzharris was harshly adjudged to have handled in the box after the ball was driven at him from point-blank range.
But Fry dived to his left to brilliantly keep out Terry Muntero’s spot-kick.
He could do nothing to stop Reading doubling their lead 15 minutes later, however, when Craig Tanner’s shot was deflected in off Dan Bennett.
Pompey pushed forward after the break and caused the hosts more problems without really creating any scoring opportunities.
Instead it was Reading who were given the chance to increase their lead further when Alex Grant was penalised for a handball in the box.
Fry went to his right this time and again made another fine save, this time to deny Murphy.
Pompey sensed they could still get something from the game and a cracking cross from Dan Butler just evaded the head of Lewis Stockford.
But Murphy scored his second and Reading’s third on 75 minutes to wrap up victory for the Royals.
Pompey: Fry; Wheeler (Tallack 46), Bennett, Ryan (Grant 46), Martin (Stockford 46); Fitzharris (Jennings 46), Colson (Goddard 35), Harris (Walshe 46), Butler; Williams (Tsovolos 54), Antelmi (Seeley 50)