Things couldn’t have started any worse for Kelly Chambers’ side, as an early counter attack from a Reading corner gave Everton the lead just after two minutes on the clock.
“It’s really disappointing to concede that early, and right now that’s how our season has been,” Chambers concedes. “We’ve conceded silly goals where we need to be more ruthless.
“Today’s game was a case of we can’t concede, especially at the points of the game when we did, straight from the first whistle, and seeing the third just before half-time.
“The third goal made it difficult to come back from and changed the outlook on the game and mood in the dressing room.”
As if the first half wasn’t challenging enough, the Royals lost centre half Deanna Cooper and skipper Natasha Harding, both early into the first half and the players took it upon themselves to jeer themselves up for the second half.
“Losing Deanna Cooper shortly after conceding the first goal was tough.
“When you lose one of your centre back pairings, it has a real strain on the side’s stability, as you train with the pair to build that relationship. So when you lose one, it can make the other quite uncomfortable.
“Having said that, I thought Gemma and Justine did a good job, especially as Justine is a midfielder.
“Just as we began to settle, we lost Tash, one of our leaders and key voices on the pitch. So two injuries and a quick goal made it a really difficult game to get back in to.
“At half time, to be fair, I didn’t actually need to say anything.
“The players led the changing room, cause they know it’s not down to tactical plans, it’s finding that desire, that fight in their belly where they want to win games.
“Grace and Brooke dictated the changing room at half-time, and I think they said what they needed to, and the players got that point.
“Now we have to find that belief and fire in our belly ahead of the next match against Aston Villa, as it’s now imperative that we get points on the board. We’ve not been in this situation before, but the players know they need to find it within themselves.”