Reading Women recorded their biggest league victory under manager Ed Jackson-Norris on Sunday, producing a rampant attacking display to thrash Sholing 10-2 at the Charters Stadium.
The Royals hit double figures in a dominant performance that stunned the Boatwomen on their home turf, with Leah Why and Sophie Bishop both scoring hat-tricks. Nat Cowell also got in on the action with a brace, while Bogi Tramontini and a late goal from Mia Parker rounded off an emphatic victory in a devastating display.
Similar to the match back in March, as some fans may recall, Reading dominated possession and peppered Sarah Kelsell’s goal throughout the 90 minutes, registering more than 30 shots. But on Sunday, the outcome was contrastingly different.
In last season’s game, Reading outperformed the home side in virtually every statistic: 31 shots, an xG tally in excess of 5, and a less than 1% likelihood of Sholing winning. But football doesn’t always follow the script, and, in a cruel twist of fate, the only metric that ultimately mattered was the scoreline, which somehow read 1-0 to Sholing at the final whistle.
This season, however, was a different story – to say the least! It was a statement performance and result that had been coming for some time.
In recent weeks, fans had caught glimpses of what this Reading side was capable of, but the team had yet to consistently reach the heights promised after their emphatic 7-2 demolition of Fleet Town a few weeks earlier, in just their second match of the season.
On Sunday though, that promise finally translated into something more tangible, thanks to clinical finishing and ruthless attacking intent. I can only imagine Jackson-Norris had a smile as wide as the Hamble estuary during his post-match interview.
Over the summer, the Reading manager bolstered his firepower with a wealth of talent, bringing Alice Curr, Bishop, Why and Tramontini into the squad. Combined with last season’s established strike force of Tia Johnson, Keren Banduka, Georgia Hayes and Cowell – Reading’s leading goalscorer in 2025/26 – Jackson-Norris has plenty of attacking options at his disposal.
There were four changes to the starting XI following last weekend’s narrow defeat to Bromley in the FA Cup third round qualifying. Lara Moore, Freya Morgan, Why and Cowell all returned to the starting line-up, while Bethan Poole, Bishop, Curr and Parker – alongside Martha Riley – were named on a strong substitutes bench.
That meant only four players featured from last season’s match (Sophie Butler, Sarah Thompson, Keziah Banduka and Ellie Szekeres).
Team (3-1-4-1-1): Sophie Butler (GK), Poppy Whitburn (Bethan Poole, 60’), Lara Moore, Sarah Thompson (captain) (Alice Curr, 60’), Keziah Banduka, Ellie Szekeres (Mia Parker, 60’), Ellie Luscombe (Sophie Bishop, 60’), Freya Morgan (Martha Riley, 60’), Leah Why (Poppy Whitburn, 75’), Nat Cowell, Bogi Tramontini
Reading goalscorers: Leah Why, 17’, 38’, 50’; Bogi Tramontini, 21’; Nat Cowell, 29’, 61’; Sophie Bishop, 63’, 67’, 77’; Mia Parker, 86’
Sholing: Dani O’Leary, 5’, 45’
Reading yellow/red cards: None
Sholing yellow/red cards: None
First half
With Sholing getting the match underway, Reading wasted little time in stamping their authority on proceedings. Tramontini, Morgan and Szekeres all tested the Sholing goalkeeper with early efforts and won their first corner, all inside the opening few minutes.
Sholing, however, had already shown their goalscoring capabilities this season, netting four times in each of their two victories against Beaconsfield Town and Denham United. And, in a worrying case of déjà vu, the home side struck first – number nine O’Leary on hand to smash the ball past Butler from close range after a cut-back found her in space. 0-1.
Although Reading were stunned by the early setback, they quickly regained their composure and resumed where they had left off, pushing forward once more.
Tramontini, operating in a free role, was in tantalising form, skilfully wriggling her way through the Sholing midfield, either creating opportunities for herself or unlocking the defence to bring others into play.
In the 17th minute, striker Cowell played a delightful diagonal pass to split open the Sholing defence and find Why, who slotted the ball home for her first goal of the match and her first of the season. 1-1.
Just four minutes later, the Royals took the lead. Whitburn’s throw-in found Morgan, who turned neatly before laying the ball off to Tramontini. She unleashed a fierce strike that flew past Kelsall in the Sholing goal to put Reading ahead and open her account for the season too. 1-2.
Cowell was determined to get in on the action herself. She first volleyed Why’s cross over the crossbar before finding the net from close range. Whitburn’s wicked strike crashed against the crossbar, with Cowell perfectly positioned to capitalise on the rebound, nonchalantly bundling the ball into the net, off her shoulder. 1-3.
Tramontini was in sublime form and almost added an assist when she released Szekeres through on goal. However, the Sholing goalkeeper was equal to the task, producing an excellent save to deny her and keep the Royals at bay.
Despite Reading’s confidence, they remained vulnerable on the counter-attack. Sholing’s double substitution almost had immediate impact, with the home side forcing Butler into a couple of important saves, with the Reading goalkeeper relieved to see a dangerous corner delivery headed over the crossbar.
As half-time approached, there was still time for two more goals. Morgan added to some delightful assists with a perfectly weighted pass through the middle to find Why, who made no mistake with a tidy finish to claim her second goal of the match. 1-4.
Following a break in play to allow Luscombe to receive treatment on the pitch, Sholing struck back. O’Leary provided the home side with a timely boost to give them a bit of hope ahead of the half-time team talk, with a clinical finish to score her second of the afternoon. 2-4.
Half-time: 2-4
Reading Women are a club defined by positivity, good humour and sporting spirit. From the grounded coaching staff and free-flowing football to the jovial, well mannered Loyal Royals, there is plenty to be proud of.
Yet, at times, it can all feel a little too nice. Perhaps the missing piece of the jigsaw is that extra edge.
The ruthlessness to see out a game, the doggedness to deny opponents a way back in, and a never-say-die attitude to grab that decisive goal in the dying minutes. Sometimes, just a little more steel and a touch of surliness when required – but without losing what makes the club so likeable.
So it was great to see the Royals carry that ruthlessness into the second half, pressing from the restart and maintaining their intensity throughout. Just five minutes in, Why completed her first hat-trick of the season, firing into the top corner after excellent build-up play from Szekeres, to make it 2-5.
And when we put in performances like that, it means we don’t have to resort to the game-playing, disruptive, ‘s-housery’ which we’ve seen from some other more streetwise teams we’ve played against.
O’Leary remained a threat for the hosts, but Butler produced an important save to deny the Sholing striker, for their second corner.
Whitburn worked tirelessly at right-wing-back, delivering crosses and creating opportunities for the Reading frontline. She nearly got on the scoresheet herself with a long-range effort that struck the post before rebounding fortuitously into the goalkeeper’s arms.
There was more bad news for Sholing on the hour mark when Jackson-Norris made a wholesale change, introducing all five substitutes. The impact was immediate, with three goals arriving in just six minutes.
Tramontini was provider once again, playing a slick pass through to Cowell, who powered into the penalty area to claim her second. 2-6.
Whatever Curr and Bishop had been working on from the substitutes’ bench or on the training ground, it paid off handsomely. Curr supplied three superb assists for Bishop, who took full advantage to complete a hat-trick in a devastating 14-minute spell.
Bishop got Reading’s seventh with a well worked move, as Riley’s reverse pass sent Curr through on goal. Curr unselfishly squared the ball for Bishop to tap home. 2-7.
Just four minutes later, the pair combined again. Curr, this time from a central position, picked out Bishop on the edge of the box. The striker made no mistake, guiding a clinical finish into the bottom corner beyond the reach of the Sholing goalkeeper. 2-8.
Reading’s ninth was a delight to watch – a superb move stretching from one side of the pitch to the other seeing Bishop complete her hat-trick.
Whitburn’s free-kick from the Reading half found Keziah Banduka, who quickly moved the ball on to Moore. Moore then released Curr down the right, and her delivery across the box was met with a simple finish for Bishop at the back post to round off an excellent team goal. 2-9.
As if to underline Reading’s new-found ruthlessness, Parker had the final say, getting the slightest of touches from close range to turn home Cowell’s goal-bound volley at the back post. The chance came from a Curr corner, with Cowell’s volley destined for the net before Parker’s intervention ensured it became 2-10.
On another day, it might have been one for the dubious goals panel to scrutinise and debate, but Cowell and Parker are great teammates, and Reading are a nice team after all!
For Curr, it was another exemplary display of selflessness, as she claimed her fourth assist since coming off the bench.
Full-time: 2-10
I’m not sure what Reading have done to upset the fixture scheduling gods (or rather the chap with his excel spreadsheet who prefers to drip feed the announcement of matches, rather than release them for the season, like just about every other region does).
Sunday’s match was the second in what looks to be a run of nine consecutive away fixtures, including the midweek cup ties against Penn & Tylers Green and Enfield Town.
The last home game was against Oxford City on September 27. It’s becoming increasingly frustrating for Reading fans waiting to see the team play back in the SCL Stadium, after the enthusiasm and interest of the opening few matches.
It certainly can’t help the growth of the Women’s team either, after some really hard work by all parties.
With that earlier momentum starting to build, it’s a real shame that supporters now face such a long wait to see the team back at the SCL. Home games are vital for building a regular fanbase, creating an atmosphere and continuing that connection between the team and supporters.
At this rate, Reading fans are looking like they may have to add this to their Christmas wish-list.
Having recently read Josh Lewin’s insightful book Rescuing the Royals, it also raises questions about the challenges facing the Women’s setup behind the scenes, particularly when it comes to securing match slots on the SCL turf.
With the home fixture scheduling potentially building towards an increasingly busy end to the season for both the men’s and women’s teams, how difficult will it be to find suitable playing time and ensure the Women’s side continues to benefit from regular access to the club’s main stadium?
So, if you can travel to support the team on the road, here’s a few dates to put in your google calendar over the next couple of weeks.
- Thursday October 15, 19:30: The Royals take on Penn & Tylers Green in round one of the Combined Counties Cup
- Sunday October 18, 14:00: Reading return to Buckinghamshire for a league match against Chesham United, and their first meeting against the team relegated from tier four last season
- Wednesday October 21, KO TBC: More mid-week cup action, this time a trip to North London to face Enfield Town in the second round of the Isthmian Cup, a new tournament for Reading this season (after receiving a bye in the opening round)
See you there!
Other league results
- Chesham United 1-7 AFC Portchester
- Denham United 5-3 Fleet Town
- Farnham Town 2-1 Beaconsfield Town
- Southampton Women 0-2 Winchester City Flyers
- Woodley P-P Oxford City
