Reading create five-point gap after epic second half display
Reading take all three points to create a five point gap from Birmingham after a devasting second half performance which saw Rose get her first two goals for the club, Dowie getting on the scoresheet for the second league game in a row and a first team debut for Tia Primmer.
Reading came out with plenty of enthusiasm in first few minutes of the first half, as a well worked corner routine found Chaplen on the edge of the box. Her driven shot found its way to Justine Vanhaevermaet at the back post, but her first-time effort went wide.
The rest of the half was a well contested battle from both sides, with possession being wasted and the game struggled to gather any real pace.
It was a long ball which created the next big chance for the Royals. Bryson’s throw found the head of Dowie who flicked it to Rose who couldn’t manage to keep her effort on target as it went over the crossbar.
The final chance of the first half came from a fast-paced piece of play from back to front, as Chaplen found herself unmarked 20 yards from goal, and her effort on goal produced a fine stop from Emily Ramsey for the hosts.
Just before half-time Harding found herself in the referee’s book for a professional foul on the halfway line, stopping a counter attack by Birmingham City.
Plenty to be said by the coaching teams of both sides during the interval.
Half-Time: Birmingham City 0 – 0 Reading
Much like the first half, Reading came flying out the blocks as soon as the whistle blew for the second half, and it took a matter of moments for the Royals to break the deadlock. From a long ball played forward, Reading won a corner which was superbly delivered by Bryson. A knock down from the back post found Dowie unmarked in the box who prodded in for a matter of yards – she wasn’t going to pass that opportunity up.
Reading continued to zip the ball around, and ten minutes later doubled their lead through Rose. After an interception on the half way line, the front line of Reading flew forward with Chaplen leading the charge. Eikeland supported with an overlapping run on the right hand side, who then floated in a ball which was met by Rose. 2-0 to the Royals!
Birmingham begun to take the game to Reading, with lots of dangerous possession and delivered plenty of balls into the box, but the backline stood strong and together, and managed to clear the danger each time they were required.
The third goal came through a long clearance by Evans, which at first looked as thought Birmingham’s keeper Ramsey would collect, but the sheer pace of Rose caused the keeper to second think and fumbled the ball into her path, which Rose gratefully collected and scored from an incredible angle.
The goal proved to take any lasting momentum Birmingham had away, and the Royals could comfortable see the game out to take all three points. There was also another cause for celebration as Tia Primmer was introduced with five minutes to go, making her first appearance with the first team debut.
Full-Time: Birmingham 0 – 3 Reading
Birmingham City: Ramsey, Scott, Finn, Sandvej, Quinn, Robertson, Murray, Ryan-Doyle (Holloway 59’), Quinn, Whelan (Cowie 79’), Smith (Worsley (78’)
Unused subs: Hourihan, Whipp, Lawley.
Goals:
Yellow: Robertson (76’)
Reading: Moloney, Harding ©, Bryson, Evans, Cooper, Vanhaevermaet, Woodham (Peplow 82’), Eikeland, Chaplen, Rose (Primmer 88’), Dowie (Harries 79’).
Unused subs: Stewart, Poulter, Roberts, Lister.
Goals: Dowie (46’), Rose (55’, 70’)
Yellow: Harding (44’), Rose (63’)