ROYALS RETURN WITH WOLVES CUP TIE
READING FC WOMEN are back for the first time in 2024 when they host Wolverhampton in the FA Women’s Cup on Sunday at Aldershot’s EBB Stadium.
With almost a month away from action, this weekend kicks off a busy period where the side play four times in 10 days in three different competitions.
First on the horizon is an FA Cup test in the fourth round against National League North Wolves.
Wolves have made a decent start to their league campaign and sit comfortably in fourth position after nine matches. They have won five, drawn once and lost three.
They were unfortunate to miss out on the league title last season, losing out to league winners Nottingham Forest on goal difference.
Both teams finished the 2022/23 campaign on 54 points with an identical record of 17 wins, three draws and two defeats but it was Forest who took the title due to their superior goal difference.
Wolves will have a tricky task to stay in touch with the leaders this season as Newcastle United are currently flying high at the top and are unbeaten after 11 matches having won 10 of their games, while Burnley are just behind in second.
Wolves played their first match of 2024 last weekend and were beaten by second placed Burnley who overturned a one-goal deficit at the break to take three points.
Reading ended 2023 on a more positive note after a stuttering start to life in the Championship by going unbeaten in December, which included a 4-0 win against Cheltenham Town in the third round of the FA Cup and a penalty shootout win at Bristol City in the Conti Cup.
After Sunday’s game, the Royals will face Birmingham City in the Championship before they battle with Arsenal in the Conti Cup group stages on Wednesday, January 24.