FIRST-HALF strikes from Joey Van den Berg and Roy Beerens gave Reading a comprehensive 2-0 EFL Cup victory against visiting Plymouth Argyle.

Cup ties against lower league opponents can occasionally prove nervy affairs, but this was as one-sided a contest as you are likely to see – visiting Argyle failing to register a shot on target against a Royals side which is keeping the ball superbly.

Jaap Stam made five changes from the team which impressed in Reading's 1-0 Skybet Championship win against Preston North End on Saturday, with goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola, centre back Jake Cooper, left back Tennai Watson, wing Callum Harriott and striker Yann Kermorgant all put in the starting line-up.

Ali Al Habsi, Paul McShane, Jordan Obita, Garath McCleary and Deniss Rakels were the quintet to make way as Stam freshened up his side.

The opening quarter of an hour was an eminently forgettable affair, but Reading broke the deadlock on 16 minutes from a set-piece.

Harriott was needlessly pulled back on the left touch-line, and John Swift's perfectly flighted free-kick was nodded home by Van den Berg, a first Royals goal for the Dutch defender.

The hosts continued to dominate possession and could have moved further ahead when a beautifully dinked ball almost set Beerens free one-on-one with Vincent Dorel, but the wing could not quite control the ball.

Harriott forced a smart diving save from the 'keeper thereafter, but Reading did double their lead on 28 minutes when Beerens became the second player on the night to open their Royals account.

Dorel made a smart save from Chris Gunter on the left, but the ball broke to Dutchman Beerens who rifled home from eight yards out.

It was nearly 3-0 just a minute later as Yann Kermorgant's excellent leap saw him nod just wide of the right-hand post, and as Reading took complete control of the game, Danny Williams and Beerens both had shots blocked in the area.

Royals were pretty much untroubled at the back, although Plymouth had a half-hearted appeal for a penalty on 40 minutes when Jordan Slew went down following a tangle with Van den Berg as the striker chased a long ball.

And they moved into half-time with their two-goal advantage, having 77 per cent of the possession in a game which resembled men against boys at times.

Royals continued to control the ball after the break, but after Harriott's effort was easily saved, Plymouth almost gave themselves a lifeline.

Van den Berg could not prevent a corner on the left, and the resulting delivery was volleyed over from six yards by Sonny Bradley – prompting the away faithful to amuse themselves with a chant of “We've had a shot”.

And they almost cut the gap on the hour when a free-kick from the left found its way to David Goodwillie, but he could only hit the side-netting from a tight angle.

At the other end, Meite ghosted past a couple of defenders before his cross-cum-shot was deflected wide of the right post, Reading seeking a third goal which would completely finish off the contest.

The debutant looked impressive and had another effort from the edge of the box comfortably saved, before the visitors made a double change in taking off the ineffective Slew and Goodwillie for Connor Smith and Jimmy Spencer.

Swift showed the kind of quick feet which are likely to make him a fans' favourite in gliding past two defenders before his shot was pushed round the post by Dorel, with Plymouth introducing Ryan Donaldson for David Fox for the last 10 minutes.

Graham Carey fired well over from 30 yards as Argyle continued to try and find an elusive shot on target, while at the other end Kermorgant collected a Beerens pass and found the net with a deft chip, only for it to be ruled out for off side.

Spencer's header and Bradley's drive for the Pilgrims were again both off target as the game entered added time, and Royals calmly played out the additional minutes to complete a second victory in four days as their Dutch revolution gathers pace.

This weekend, the Royals are on the road away at Wolves back in the Championship.