Southampton take all three points in RG2
A difficult afternoon for the Royals as they suffered their first league defeat of the season to Southampton, as goals from Pike, Wilkinson, Primus & Purfield secured the win, with Estcourt getting on the scoresheet late on.
The Royals had an early opportunity to test Rendall in goal when they earned a corner, but Cooper's delivery eluded Wade at the back post, allowing Southampton to clear comfortably.
However, it was the visitors who had the best chance in the early exchanges. Pike was found in behind the Reading defense and took her shot first time. Orman watched anxiously as the ball rolled just wide of the post.
Minutes later, Pike opened the scoring for Southampton. Another well-placed ball over the top caught the Royals' backline off guard. Pike, under pressure from Mayi Kith, held her composure and slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Reading came close to equalizing just before the 20th minute mark. Roberts skillfully maneuvered past her opposing full-back and delivered an inviting ball into the box. Longhurst reacted quickly to get a shot away, but Rendell reacted just as swiftly, diving low to make a crucial save.
The Royals had another chance soon after, as Cooper won back possession just inside Southampton's half and attempted to catch the keeper off her line. However, the effort was tipped behind for a corner, which, once again, was punched clear by the Southampton keeper.
Southampton quickly counterattacked, with Pike once again beating the defensive line. Orman was alert to the danger this time. However, Orman found herself in the spotlight shortly after, as she was deemed to have brought down Pike in the box, resulting in a penalty that Wilkinson calmly converted.
Wilkinson had a golden opportunity to score her second of the match when Pike got in behind the defense and set up Wilkinson in the box. However, Wilkinson, off balance, couldn't keep her effort on target.
Southampton's Kendall capitalized on space in the Reading half, dribbling into the box before being closed down. She unleashed a powerful shot that Orman did brilliantly to tip over the bar for a corner.
Reading had one final chance to pull one back before the break from a corner. However, Woodham's delivery failed to beat the first Southampton player, and the chance went begging.
Half-time: Reading 0 – 2 Southampton
Southampton maintained their dominance as the second half began, creating two quick chances, both courtesy of the menacing Pike. The first was a low shot that Orman saved well, and the second required a swift reaction from Dugdale to block the follow-up, preventing the visitors from extending their lead.
Fifteen minutes into the second half, Southampton looked likelier to score the next goal. Reading struggled to mount a significant attacking threat, prompting Gilbert to make changes. Gregory made her debut, and Wellings also entered the fray.
Following these substitutions, Reading finally had an opportunity. Woodham capitalized on a cleared corner, and Southampton's Rendell had to be alert to parry the ball away.
Wellings seemed poised to pull one back for Reading. She latched onto Gregory's through ball, but just before she could shoot, a Southampton defender made a crucial block.
Just as Reading was starting to find its rhythm, Southampton grabbed a third goal. Pike initiated a rapid counter-attack, pulling the ball back to Primus, whose shot took a heavy deflection off Hendrix and found the net.
Things weren't falling in Reading's favor in the final third, while Southampton couldn't have asked for a more opposite situation. With ten minutes remaining, they added a fourth goal. An attempt bounced off the crossbar and fell perfectly to Purfield, who calmly headed it home.
A bright moment at the end for Reading, as Gregory's corner delivery was met with a sweet volley by Estcourt to pull one back for a late consilation. But in the end the referee blew the whilstle to conclude the visitors taking all three points.
Full-time: Reading 1 - 4 Southamtpon
Reading: Orman, Dugdale (Gregory 60’), Houssein (Elwood 79’), Cooper (Jarvis 45’), Wade, Hendrix, Mayi Kith (Smith 45’), Estcourt, Longhurst (Wellings 60’), Woodham ©, Roberts
Unused subs: Kite, Meadows Tuson, Cox
Goals: Estcourt (90+2')
Southampton: Rendell, Morris (Wynne 81’), Mott, Kendall, Rafferty, Wilkinson (Kraft 81’), Pike (Thompson, 88’), Primus (Pharoah 73’), Purfield, Collett, Peake
Unused subs: Howard, Lloyd-Smith, Milne.
Goals: Pike (10’), Wilkinson (27’ p), Primus (73’), Purfield (80’)