WADE NETS ON ROYALS DEBUT IN PRE-SEASON DEFEAT

READING FC Women were defeated by Bristol City in their first preseason outing.

Up against Championship outfit Bristol City, Kelly Chambers’ Women’s Super League team featured some new signings that have been added to the squad this summer.

The first effort at goal saw the hosts hit a long range strike from Harrison which deflected into the arms of Grace Moloney.

Bristol came close again when Syme hit an effort that flew just over the top.

Reading began to create opportunities but Amalie Eikeland couldn;’t pick out anyone in the middle with her cross.

Eikeland had a chance at goal but Bentley managed to clutch onto the ball.

The Royals went ahead with 35 minutes played when Lauren Wade marked her debut in a Reading shirt with a goal.

Fellow new signing Charlie Wellings countered at pace and threaded at pace through to Wade who beat a defender before she struck a low shot past the keeper.

Reading had an early chance in the second-half when Wade broke down the left wing and placed a cross for Becky Jane at the back post, but she could only poke her effort wide.

Bristol were level just over 10 minutes into the second-half when Harrison received the ball from Morgan and hit a curling shot past Moloney.

The Royals came forward on a swift counter just after the hour, Wade picked up possession on halfway, found Bryson who carried forward. She slipped a pass towards Jane who tried to take it past Layzell but just ran out of pitch.

The hosts kept coming forward and Tiesar got on the end of a ball into the box and flashed her header across goal.

Reading probed for an equaliser as we headed into added time, Wade picked the ball up and found Eikeland in space at the back post, she struck it true forcing Bentley into a smart stop.

Reading Women: Moloney, Bryson, MeadowsTosun, Cooper, Evans, Woodham, Vanhaevermaet, Rowe, Eikeland, Wade, Wellings

Subs: Balgent, Cox, Primmer, Wozniak, Jane,

Annets, Rasmusse, Brame