Reading Women 0-2 Sholing Women: Match Report

The Royals put in an encouraging performance on Sunday but were hard done by in a narrow home defeat to Sholing.

Reading will feel hard done by after a controversial second-half penalty for the visitors, converted by Catherine Browning, changed the game on Sunday, before a 96th-minute goal from substitute Emily Flegg. It was a second consecutive defeat at the hands of Sholing - this time a 2-0 home reverse for the Royals’ ninth league loss of the season.

In a fitting homage to Groundhog Day, Sholing were once again Reading’s opposition - after knocking the Royals out of the League Cup only seven days ago.

With the only other league match not really affecting the Royals (Ascot United winning at Oxford City to remain in pole position), defeat meant Reading remain eighth in the table on three points. The Royals are above Selsey and Badshot Lea, both with two points each, but the number of games in hand are narrowing, Reading having one game in hand over Selsey and two over Badshot Lea.

Although there’s no January transfer window in tier five, Reading added two to the squad with Shardonna’e Kekere Ekun (from tier four side London Seaward) and Amber Langston-Lloyd (from tier six Richmond and Kew - the team Reading knocked out of the FA Cup, on penalties, in October).

Reading manager Pedro Bruno was in the unique position of not only being able to name a full squad - including five substitutes - but also with the additional tough decision of who to leave out of the matchday 16.

The result was four changes to last weekend’s starting line-up - the two new signings making their debuts. Caitlin Levy and Assia Fatri returned after missing the last match, in place of Megan Giles and Sajunae Turner, who were both on the bench, while Tiffany Lee was rested (to get back to match fitness after her debut last weekend) and Poppy Airey was unavailable.

Team: Cherry Preisner (GK), Amber Langston-Lloyd, Caitlin Levy (Lily Brooke-Cousins, 31, Zuzanna Gajzler, 46)) , Rachael Poole, Mollie Dench (Lily Brooke-Cousins, 87), Lucy Bolitho (Captain), Assia Fatri (Santearna Spencer, 31), Shardonna’e Kekere Ekun, Keira Morl (Caitlin Levy, 87), Mia Bradley, Zuzanna Gajzler (Sajunae Turner, 45)

Unused subs: Megan Giles, Ellie Herbert

Reading yellow card: Assia Fatri, 10’

Sholing yellow card: Katie Shorter 90+10’

Sholing goalscorers: Catherine Browning, penalty 59’ and Emily Flegg, 90+6’

The Royals went in level at half-time after a close first half with nothing really between the two teams - not dissimilar to last weekend’s League Cup contest. Both sides enjoyed chances, with neither able to find that bit of quality to open the scoring.

In the opening minutes, Sholing threatened when Siena Millen stabbed a ball just past the near post and, a few minutes later, Katie Shorter met a perfectly executed free-kick, only to see her header drift inches away from the Reading back post.

For only the second time this season there was just one designated official, meaning the referee had to be supported by an assistant referee nominated by each club.

Although this clearly makes it harder for the referee, it’s fair to say he made this harder for himself by frequently ignoring or overruling his volunteer assistants. His performance could be described as contrarian at best and frustrating for both teams - where Reading certainly came out worst in respect of a lot of his erratic decision-making.

This was highlighted when, just nine minutes into the game, the referee booked Fatri for a foul - the consequence of this being that Bruno decided 30 minutes into the match to substitute the young midfielder, who appeared to be at risk of a second yellow every time she challenged for the ball. It was an early blow for the team and set-up, with Fatri linking up well with new signing Ekun, who was a great outlet down the Reading right-hand side.

The Royals had chances of their own, with Bradley often at the centre of these.

In the 16 minute, her fierce direct free-kick clipped the wall, which was enough for Sarah Kelsall, in the Sholing goal, to be able to gather the ball.

Just before the half-hour mark, Bradley flashed a cross through the Sholing penalty area. Ekun was the closest but unable to connect.

At the other end, Reading goalkeeper Preisner was alert to win a race to the ball, diving to collect from the feet of Millen, wearing the number 19 shirt.

Dench is proving to be an important and versatile part of the Reading defence - being asked to play right-back this time. As usual, her performance was gutsy, all-in and committed, putting in some great crosses for Bradley and Gajzler.

There was one last scare for the Royals, just before the half-time whistle, when a cross from the Sholing right saw Browning slide in at the back post - but luckily was unable to connect.

Half-time: 0-0

With use of the rolling substitutes, Bruno made a half-time change, bringing Gajzler back into action and resting Brooke-Cousins.

Bradley moved to left-back and, from this deeper position, still managed to sting the Sholing goalkeeper’s hand with a long-range strike in the opening few minutes.

The match appeared to continue on its goalless trajectory, with both teams cancelling each other out and limiting chances to longer-range attempts - until the referee surprised everyone, players, coaching staff and fans alike, by awarding a penalty to the visitors - indicating that Gajzler had handled the ball in an attempted clearance.

Browning stepped up and squeezed the spot-kick in off the post after Preisner had managed to get a hand to it. 0-1.

Although it was another setback - and we’ve seen a few this season - it’s always impressive to see how quickly this young Royals team get back into action to push for a goal and don’t give up or drop their heads.

From the restart, another long-range shot from Bradley was parried by the Sholing ‘keeper, and although Turner was quickest to react, her shot was wide of the post.

Reading maintained the pressure and pushed for a deserved equaliser. Gajzler had a couple of attempts - a shot straight at the keeper and a header wide from a Reading corner - as well as another shot from Bradley which fired over the crossbar.

10 minutes of stoppage time were added after two Sholing players suffered serious-looking leg injuries during the second half. Mollie Pinnick limped off with the help of her teammates and Jodie Freeman-Woods was stretchered off (let’s hope for a speedy recovery for both).

Six minutes into time added on, the Boatwomen put the result beyond doubt. Sholing number 19 Millen latched onto a long ball over the top of the Reading defence, nudging the ball past the outrushing Preisner, to give substitute Flegg an easy side-foot into an empty net (and her second goal in two weeks against the Royals). 0-2.

Full-time 0-2

It was another decent performance - extremely unlucky with the penalty call - but still a vast improvement from earlier in the season. At the moment, Reading are just missing that bit of belief, confidence and quality in the final third to score goals (a total of six goals at home, with the Royals yet to register on the road, from 10 league matches) - along with a bit of luck!

It feels like it’s coming together. New players have been added to the squad, with good debuts from Ekun - lively, skillful and a good outlet down the right wing - and Langston-Lloyd, alongside good performances from Poole and Dench in defence.

There’s certainly enough skill and effort in the midfield and wings to create chances. With players coming back from injury (it was good to see Spencer back on the pitch), alongside the option of actually being able to use rolling substitutes (a luxury missing for most of the season), there’s a chance to keep energy levels high through the game.

It’s league action again next weekend with Winchester City Flyers - sitting just one place above Reading in the league (but with a 13-point advantage) - hosting the Royals at the Charters Community Stadium at 2pm on Sunday February 9. See you there!