ROYALS SHOT DOWN BY GUNNERS

READING WOMEN fell to defeat on the opening day of the 2020/21 Women's Super League season to Arsenal as Jill Roord netted a hat-trick in a six goal thrashing.

Arsenal's captain Kim Little gave them the lead in the 15th minute before Roord and Vivianne Meidema scored to give the Gunners a 3-0 lead going into half time. Roord added two more to claim her treble while Meidema scored a magnificent goal.

The hosts put the pressure on early and forced a chance after three minutes when Beth Mead brought the ball down well with a cushioned touch to tee up Jill Roord who dragged a first timed shot just wide of the post to give Reading an early warning sign.

Reading debutantes Carter and Fishlock linked up swiftly as the latter drifted through the midfield after a clever nutmeg but the attack was broken up with the Royals in a good position.

The Gunners made their dominance count when they took the lead in the

15th minute.

LeahWilliamson strode through the midfield and floated an inviting ball into the box which found Arsenal skipper Kim Little who found the bottom cornerwith a beautifully controlled volley.

The persistence paid off for Joe Montemurro's side as Arsenal doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute through Vivianne Miedema.

Jordan Nobbs squared the ball to the Dutch strikerwho opened her account for the season after she took a touch to take the ball around goalkeeper Grace Moloney and finished into the empty net.

Moloney then had to make a brilliant one-on-one save from last season's top scorer Miedema as she looked to dink the ball over the Royals goalkeeperwho stood up tall to prevent her.

But Arsenal did make it three before the half-time break as they continued their clinical streak. Mead sped down the right touchline before squaring the ball to Roord who took a touch into the box before tucking the ball into the bottom cornerwith a neat finish.

After a disappointing firsthalf, Kelly Chambers made two changes going into the second half as Lauren Bruton and Rachel Rowe replaced FaraWilliams and

Kristine Leine.

And substitute Rowe had Reading's first half chance as she lashed a 30-yard effort at goal which sailed over the bar.

Mololney had to make another superb stop to thwart Miedema who looked almost certain to double her personal tally had it not been for a spectacular diving save from the keeper.

Fishlock was then shown a yellow card as she pulled back Roord's shirt as she looked to burst through on goal.

Arsenal added a fourth in the 63rd minute as Roord played the ball to Little with a first timed pass and was returned the favour as Little found the Dutch midfielder to give her a simple tap in.

After a fewwasted chances , the Gunners did eventually add a fifth goal with the pick of the bunch from Miedema. She received the ball 20 yards from goal and blasted it past Moloney off the underside of the bar.

Miedema was instrumental again as she held the ball up and showed superb footwork before she laid the ball off and Roord was found in the middle for another tap in as she claimed her hat-trick to seal a brilliant team goal.

Carter almost found a consolation goal against her former club as her low drive from 20 yards smacked off the post, but moments later she did find a goal as goalkeeper Zinsbergerwas caught in possession as Carter slid in and found the net.

GOALS: Little 15', Miedema 33', 79', Roord 40', 63', 80', Carter 88'

Zinsberger, Maritz, Williamson, Schnaderbeck, Catley, Roord, Walti, Nobbs, Little, Mead, Miedema

van de Donk, Evans, Maier, Gut, Stenson, Foord, Mace READING: Moloney, James, Mitchell, Leine, Bartrip, Fishlock, Williams, Cooper, Carter, Harding, Eikeland

Jeon, Bruton, Nayler, Rowe, Woodham, Skeels, Roberts, Quirk, Harries.