RESILIENT ROYALS HOLD OFF OFF SPURS TO TAKE POINT
READING FC WOMEN battled to hold Spurs to a goalless draw at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Kelly Chambers’ team ended a run of three straight defeats in all competitions by keeping a clean sheet at home in a dogged defensive showing.
The Royals boss made four changes to her team after their 4-0 midweek defeat away at top of the table Arsenal.
Grace Moloney returned in goal to make her 200th appearance for the club, while Rachel Rowe, Justine Vanhaevermaet and Deanne Rose were rewarded with starts.
Spurs started strongly and threw plenty of crosses into the Reading box to test their backline, but the hosts stood up to the test with defender Deanna Cooper taking a knock to her head for her troubles.
After a quiet opening period from the Royals, they burst into life just before the half hour mark when Rose showcased her lightning speed to get down the right byline and drive a cross into the box that was blocked by the defence to prevent a blue and white hooped shirt latching onto it.
Reading had a chance courtesy of Amalie Eikeland as they looked to force an opening.
A move started by Rachel Rowe saw her find Lily Woodham on the left and she picked out Eiekland’s run in the middle who directed a shot goalwars that was kept out smartly by Tinja-Riikka Korpela.
A bright ending to the half for the home team saw them create another opening when Rowe and Woodham
linked effectively again, while captain Tash Harding swivelled to volley after meeting Natasha Dowie’s cross but put it over the top.
Reading flew out of the traps after the break when Rowe spotted the run of Rose to set her on her way with the Spurs defence scrambling to get back to block her effort behind for a corner.
Ther were scares for Reading which they survived thanks to a combination of excellent defensive shape and some good fortune.
With 15 minutes to go, Spurs came a whisker away from edging in front when a deflected shot rolled across Moloney’s goal line that she managed to hook away from danger.
The Royals came closest to finding a breakthrough when Woodham’s free-kick was collected by Vanhaevermaet at the back post and nodded in the path for Gemma Evans whose header sailed over the target.
Another golden chance came and went for Reading to snatch the
points in the final three minutes of the 90 when Rose burst forward with Emma Harries and Harding in support. She found Harding who couldn’t get a strong enough connection to test the keeper.
The match ended goalless after an entertaining and hotly contested bout between two sides who are pushing for European qualification next season.
The result leaves Reading in sixth on 23 points, level with Manchester City and still five points away from fourth placed Spurs.
The Royals face another tricky test this Saturday when they host Manchester United at the SCL.