Reading Women 6-2 Badshot Lea Ladies: Match Report

The Royals completed the double over Badshot Lea with a thumping win in Slough on Sunday.

Reading Women saved their best performance for the last home match of the season, hitting six past Badshot Lea at Arbour Park on Sunday afternoon. A hat-trick from captain Lucy Bolitho, two from Mia Bradley and an own goal set up a perfect send-off for the players and fans in their inaugural season at their new home venue.

After last weekend’s bruising, the Reading players not only picked themselves up and dusted themselves down, but got back onto the pitch with their heads held high. They had a point (or three) to prove, and prove it - in some style - they did!

Due to the fixture scheduling, Royals fans have had to wait a while (since mid-February) to see their team back at Arbour Park, for their last home (but penultimate) match of the season. But it was one worth waiting for.

They were up against a Badshot Lea team also down the wrong end of the table, one place below Reading in ninth but one point above Selsey, who are bottom of the table and left with the unenviable task of trying to get something out of their last match: away to league leaders Ascot United.

Reading manager Pedro Bruno made three changes from last weekend’s starting line-up. With Cherry Preisner unavailable (injured midweek in training), Amy Whale returned in goal for her third match of the season (undefeated in her earlier two matches, together with two clean sheets). Amber Lloyd and Mollie Dench both returned in defence.

The total squad numbers were also better, providing Bruno not only the option of being able to make changes, but also some strong options: with Assia Fatri and Zuzanna Gajzler also named among the four substitutes.

Team: Amy Whale, Mollie Dench, Amber Lloyd, Megan Giles (Shardonna’e Kekere-Ekun, 63), Ellie Herbert (Zuzanna Gajzler, 45), Poppy Airey, Caitlin Levy (Assia Fatri, 30), Rachael Poole, Keira Morl, Lucy Bolitho (captain) (Mia Bradley, 88), Mia Bradley (Chloe Fletcher, 75)

Reading goalscorer(s): Burrows (OG, 31), Bradley (35, 74), Bolitho (45+4, 74, 77)

Badshot Lea goalscorers: Poulter (29), Irvine (45+5)

First half

The opening minutes of play set the tone of what was to become a very entertaining and end-to-end match. Bradley darted between two defenders to set up an early chance, her shot hitting the near post.

With Reading playing a high line, Whale needed to be alert and was quick off her line to foil a Badshot long ball over the top of the Royals defence. Minutes later she was called into action again, making her first save of the afternoon, diving to her right to stop an effort from Tayla Poulter from the edge of the penalty area.

Reading’s central defensive midfielder Levy found herself in the rare position of having a shot on goal, her effort dragged just wide of the post.

With early warnings after close efforts by Badshot strikers Poulter and Shelly Irvine, Bruno chose to make an early positional change. Morl advanced from left-back into midfield, and Airey moved to centre-back, with Herbert and Dench as full-backs.

On 23 minutes Reading came close, Poole combining with Bradley. Her cross was met by the head of captain Bolitho, forcing Badshot Lea ‘keeper Christina Binyon to pull off a great double save to keep the scoreline level.

Winger Bradley was enjoying herself and, after another great move involving Airey and Levy, found space for a shot, but her effort was again just wide of the post.

The game burst into life 30 minutes in with three-quick goals. The visitors opened the floodgates with a goal from Poulter, the impressive and diminutive striker dancing her way through the Reading defence to slot the ball past Whale and into the net. 0-1.

Bruno reacted quickly and positively, Fatri replacing the hard-working Levy, and Reading were rewarded almost immediately. Bolitho’s effort from the right wing was turned into her own net by defender Abbie Burrows. 1-1.

Reading had turned round the deficit four minutes later, taking the lead from a terrific strike by Bradley. Her shot from the edge of the box swerved and rocketed past the Badshot Lea goalkeeper. 2-1.

The Royals were now firmly on top, Bradley causing chaos for the Badshot defence and creating chances for Bolitho, who saw another effort hit the post, as the first 45 minutes were drawling to an end.

There were a couple of stoppages in the first half for injuries, and with the resultant time added on, the fans were treated to an explosive, action-packed end to the 45. A move involving Morl and Fatri found Bolitho in the penalty area, and this time there was no mistake with her finish, the ball flying into the net from a central position. 3-1.

There was - unfortunately for the Royals - still time for one last surprise. Badshot’s number 11, Irvine, finished nicely from inside the Reading penalty area to keep the scores close at the eventual end to the first half. 3-2.

Half-time: 3-2

There was one change for Reading at half-time: attacker Gajzler coming on for Herbert, with Giles returning to her more familiar position at right-back.

Before Reading could get a hold on the match, it was the visitors who came close to an equaliser, with Irvine’s shot striking the outside of the post.

Three successive Reading corners ended with Bolitho grabbing her second goal of the afternoon, stretching to poke the ball into the net after Badshot Lea failed to clear attempts from both Morl and Gajzler. 4-2.

With a two-goal advantage, Bruno took the opportunity to introduce Kekere-Ekun, for Giles, moving Morl once again back to right-back.

Badshot Lea still didn’t get the message and came close again with their number nine, Gemma Luke, first rattling the crossbar with Reading clearing the ball to safety. Minutes later, she dragged her shot wide of the post when clear through with just Whale to beat.

With 15 minutes remaining, Reading put the game beyond reach with a great team move from back to front, ending with Bradley getting her second of the match, slotting the ball into the corner. 5-2.

Bradley made her way off the pitch to cheers and applause, with Fletcher making her return after recovering from an injury that had kept her out of the game for many months.

Two minutes later, Bolitho wrapped up the scoring - with a hat-trick to boot - tapping in the rebound after Gajzler’s shot hit the post. 6-2.

Full time: 6-2

It was a super, free-flowing performance and nice to see Reading once again playing with a smile on their faces, enjoying what has been a challenging and perhaps not expected first season in tier five.

This weekend’s results mean that both the top and bottom of the league have now been decided. Reading sit comfortably in eighth, extending their gap to 10 points from Badshot Lea in ninth, with Selsey bottom after their heavy 7-0 defeat away to Ascot United - who were also crowned champions after that result.

With one match remaining the Royals have now bagged a total of 13 points, which is an incredible turnaround when you consider that, in mid-January, Reading sat bottom of the table, without a win and without a point on the board.

At that time - and with Selsey and Badshot Lea still to play (and still within reach) - Bruno didn’t panic and set out his target to win their ‘bottom of the table mini-league’ battle.

The result was achieved in some style, with the Royals completing the double over both Selsey and Badshot Lea. With the draw against Woodley United, Reading finish the season in a respectable position and, currently, just seven points behind the experienced tier-five side Sholing.

For Reading, the season finishes next weekend (April 13, 2pm kick-off), with one last away-day trip to AFC Porchester. So if you fancy a morning down at the coast, followed by a farewell afternoon of football, I’ll see you there!