Winchester City Flyers 3-1 Reading Women: Match Report

SB Nation

Reading Women suffered their second league defeat of the season, losing 3-1 at the Charters Community Stadium on Sunday, to rivals Winchester City Flyers.

A first-half goal against the run of play had put

the home side ahead at the break, with the Flyers doubling their lead with just three minutes of normal time remaining. A 90th-minute penalty for the Royals, converted by striker Nat Cowell, set up an anxious seven minutes of time added on, only for Winchester to have the final say, extending their lead with literally the last kick of the match.

That last-minute goal flattered the hosts in what was a close, hard-fought match, with the Royals (not for the first time this season) just unable to find that clinical finish in front of goal.

It had been a two-week wait for Reading to get back to competitive action after another fate of fixture scheduling meant they were without a match last weekend. Instead, manager Ed Jackson-Norris had to hastily arrange a friendly (behind closed doors) against a Watford development team. Goals from Nat Cowell, Lucy Bolitho and Sarah Thompson (x2) secured a 4-0 victory.

This match against Winchester was also the Royals’ first league outing since beating Sholing a month ago. It was always going to be a vast contrast to Reading’s last competitive fixture, when they swept away a struggling Kidlington Youth team (a tier below them) with an 11-1 victory, to secure a place in the second round of the League Cup.

It was also always going to be a complete contrast from last season’s visit (when the Royals found themselves on the wrong end of the ‘character building’ 8-0 battering), with Bolitho the only player recognisable to the opposition.

Winchester started the match in confident form after coming from behind to secure a league away win against Southampton Women last weekend.

It was an important match for both sides in the battle for the top positions in the table. At kick-off, Winchester sat two places above the Royals in the league, just three points ahead, but having played two more matches.

Jackson-Norris made two changes to the starting line-up. Bolitho and Tia Johnson came in for Ellie Manners and Lauren Knight, who both rotated to the bench, alongside a surprise new Royals signing: Emmi Tong, returning to Reading after previously being part of the under-16s and pathway set up.

Team: Jess Webb (GK), Poppy Whitburn, Bethan Poole (Mille Lamden, 75), Sarah Thompson, Keziah Banduka (Lauren Knight, 85), Jazz King, Mia Parker (captain), Lucy Bolitho (Emmi Tong, 70), Keren Banduka (Georgia Hayes, 64), Nat Cowell, Ellie Manners (Tia Johnson, 64)

Unused substitutes: None

Reading goalscorers: Nat Cowell, penalty, 90’

Winchester City Flyers goalscorers: Laura Vokes, 29’; Kayleigh Tonks, 87; Annie Northwood, 90+7’

Reading yellow cards: None

Winchester City Flyers yellow cards: None

First half

After swapping ends, it was Winchester who not only started the match facing the low setting sun but also having to contend with a barrage of high-pressing Reading players, who pinned them in their half for the opening 15 minutes.

Poole and Bolitho fired early efforts high and over the crossbar, but set the tone and a clear intention to start the match on the front foot.

After a foul on Cowell, King delivered a teasing free-kick into the Flyers penalty area, with the Reading attackers not gambling enough and unable to get that decisive touch.

With continuing pressure from Reading, it looked like the Royals had taken the lead. A perfectly delivered cross from Whitburn was headed into the back of the net by Cowell, only to see the assistant referee raise his flag and rule it out for offside.

It was 15 minutes before the home side managed to break the resistance, with a counter-attack forcing Reading ‘keeper Webb into action, closing down Flyers striker Laura Da Silva to deny her the chance to get a shot off.

It was a brief respite for the home side, with Reading going close again on a couple of occasions before the match, unexpectedly, tipped on its head.

King, with another free-kick in a similar position to earlier, this time elected to fire her set-piece directly towards the goal – comfortably saved by goalie Ellie Parker.

Cowell came close again. Her headed attempt, from a Keren Banduka cross from the right, was directed towards the back post but went just wide of the target.

After an adjudged handball by a Royals defender, City’s Laura Vokes stepped up to strike her free-kick from just outside the corner of the Reading penalty area, over the head of Webb and into the top corner. A cruel blow, against the run of play, but a ruthless and clinical finish all the same. 1-0.

With Reading shocked, the momentum swung, with Winchester ending the first half on top. They won their first two corners and forced the Reading goalkeeper into a late first-half save to push a fierce shot, from striker Sian Wylie, onto the crossbar.

Half-time: 1-0

After the restart it was Reading who, once again, fired the opening shot. Johnson’s effort was well struck, but wide of the post.

After a City free header from a corner was nodded wide of the back post, Johnson turned provider to set Whitburn up for two quick chances in succession. The Reading right-back’s shot, from a tight angle, was saved by the goalkeeper, with her immediate follow-up effort just wide of the near post.

With the hour mark just gone, Jackson-Norris made his first two changes, bringing on Manners and Hayes for Johnson and Keren Banduka.

10 minutes later there was a third change for the Royals, with new signing Tong making her debut, replacing Bolitho in midfield.

On 75 minutes, Reading won what was – surprisingly – only their second corner of the match and came close to levelling the score. Hayes’ corner was met on the volley by central defender Thompson and looked to be rocketing into the corner of the goal, only for the effort to go agonisingly close but ultimately just wide of the back post.

With all five substitutes on the pitch and the team in blue and white in all-out attack in search of an equaliser, the risk of a counter-attack was there.

On 87 minutes, the home side doubled their lead when Kayleigh Tonks was put through on goal to slot home past the out-rushing Webb. 2-0.

Just when it looked like the match may be over, Reading clawed themselves back into the contest in the 90th minute to set up an exciting finish.

A shot from Manners wasn’t held by the Flyers goalkeeper, who promptly felled Cowell inside the area after the Reading striker was quicker to react. Cowell stepped up to convert her second penalty of the season. 2-1.

Three minutes into time added on, it looked like Reading were going to salvage a point after a pass from Manners released Cowell. Her shot was however somehow saved, at close range, by Parker in the Winchester goal.

With both teams continuing to battle, it was left to City striker Annie Northwood to have the last say of the match. A long ball and bounce caught out the Reading defence and goalkeeper for an easy tap-in to an empty net, for what was the last kick of the match. 3-1.

Full-time: 3-1

It’s only the third time the two teams have met, but Winchester enjoy the bragging rights with a 100% winning record to date. This will certainly make for an interesting match, later in the season, when they visit Arbour Park.

With Oxford City and AFC Porchester due to play in FA Cup action, there were only three other league matches played this weekend.

The Royals remain seventh and, with the outside chance of two teams being promoted this season and games in hand, they remain in a strong position.

With the exception of leaders Wycombe Wanderers, all the teams currently above Reading – including Winchester – are still catchable. And, of course, for Reading in particular, there’s still three quarters of the season still to play, so there’s no need for concern or alarm.

If they can turn those spells of good pressure into goals and winning performances, that extra bit of belief and confidence can only grow and flourish, in turn continuing the cycle of development.

Next up

The recent scheduling has been sporadic at best, so it’s a nice surprise for the Royals to be back in action soon. Reading fans have not one but two cup matches to look forward to in quick succession, although both are away from home.

First up, this Wednesday, November 26, (7.45pm kick-off), there’s a trip to Windsor & Eton for the first round of the Combined Counties Cup (not shown on the FA website).

That’s followed by a visit to Penn & Tylers Green, next Sunday, November 30 (2pm kick-off), in the League Cup. They’re ready to avenge the Royals’ pre-season defeat back in August.

See you there!