Royals looking to beat unbeaten Blues

ANNA GREEN is hoping now could be the perfect time to face Chelsea as Reading prepare to travel to the league leaders on Sunday.

The Blues are unbeaten in the league this season, but Reading are one of just two sides to take points off them so far with a 2-2 draw at Adams Park in November.

While the Royals are gearing up for a first game in over a month when they run out at Kingsmeadow on Sunday (2pm), Chelsea will have just returned from a midweek Champions League trip to Montpellier, with the second leg scheduled three days after their clash with Reading.

And defender Green is hoping that could make the difference.

“It’s really good timing for us to play them,” she told The Wokingham Paper.

“They’ve got big midweek games this week and next week. They were away on Wednesday just gone so it’s a lot of travel for them.

“Hopefully that definitely works to our advantage.”

She added: “Every time you’re playing Chelsea you know it’s going to be a tough game.

“They’re consistently doing well in the Champions League and always sitting around the top two in the league so you know it’s going to be a really tough game.

“But we’ve had really good away form so we’re definitely going there and hoping to come back with three points.”

Green, 27, has only started four matches this season, having to play second fiddle for the most part to first choice left-back Harriet Scott.

But with the Ireland international currently out injured, Kiwi Green is hoping to nail down a starting spot, especially with her contract due to expire in June.

“That’s always in the back of my mind,” admitted Green.

“I love being at Reading and it’s a really exciting club to be involved with at the moment.

“We’re really coming into our own I think with the style of play we’re developing and with trying to build a really strong squad.

“There’s going to be competition for spots within that, but I’ve really enjoyed my time here so far.”

She added: “It’s unlucky for Harriet to have that injury with her collarbone.

“I’ll take a starting spot however it comes.

“Hopefully

I can keep it but I’m really looking forward to Harriet being back training.

“It’s just good competition and I’ll always welcome that.”

Following the trip to Chelsea, Reading Women host Yeovil Town Ladies on Wednesday evening (7.45pm).

HARRIET SCOTT has won the Football Association Ireland Senior Women’s International Player of the Year award.

Scott, who has come through the youth ranks with the Royals, travelled to Dublin to lift the trophy on Sunday evening.

A relative newcomer to the national side, Scott, 25, beat off competition from Manchester City’s Megan Campbell and Denise O’Sullivan, who plays in America, to win the prestigious award.