Southampton Women 1-1 Reading Women: Match Report

Freya Morgan in possession, with Nat Cowell and Mia Parker watching on / | Alison Matthews A late goal from Alice Curr secured an important point away from home for Reading Women in a frustrating 1-1 draw against Southampton Women at Miller Park on Sunday. The hosts took the lead in the sixth minute

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A late goal from Alice Curr secured an important point away from home for Reading Women in a frustrating 1-1 draw against Southampton Women at Miller Park on Sunday.

The hosts took the lead in the sixth minute when Sky Stone volleyed home from Southampton’s first corner of the match. The Royals had to wait until the 81st minute to find an equaliser, with Curr scoring directly from a corner to rescue a point.

It was the seventh time in 10 matches across all competitions in which the Royals had fallen

behind, once again having to work hard to fight their way back into the game.

With Southampton unable to play at their usual home ground, Test Park, the fixture was moved to Miller Park, home of Totton & Eling.

Unfortunately, the condition of the grass pitch left a lot to be desired, with the surface more reminiscent of a Sunday league park standard. That’s perhaps not unsurprising, after three matches had already been played on the pitch over the weekend before Southampton and Reading had even kicked a ball.

It was an added shame given the stadium’s location, sitting literally in the shadow of the adjacent Snows Stadium, home to both AFC Totton and Southampton FC’s Saints women’s WSL2 side.

However, Reading were facing the Sirens, not the Saints. The two sides finished last season level on 39 points, with Reading securing fourth place, ahead of Southampton on goal difference. Similarly, they started and finished Sunday’s match in exactly the same positions, level on 11 points, although Southampton had played a game more.

Reading manager Ed Jackson-Norris made two changes to the starting XI that had comfortably defeated Havant & Waterlooville 3-1 in the first round of the League Cup the previous weekend.

Sophie Butler returned between the posts as Reading’s number one, taking over from Scarlett Bowcott, following her impressive display last weekend. Club captain Mia Parker featured alongside Freya Morgan and Ellie Szekeres in midfield, with Ellie Luscombe unavailable for selection.

Reading were also without Georgia Hayes, with Sarah Thompson and Leah Why sidelined through injury. Tia Johnson was also absent as she continued her firefighter training commitments.

And despite absences, Reading once again named a strong substitutes’ bench, which included the returning Bogi Tramontini. Back from international duty and literally straight off the plane – Tramontini had been picked up en route from the airport to join the squad!

Team (4-3-3): Sophie Butler (GK), Bethan Poole, Keziah Banduka, Lara Moore, Poppy Whitburn (Ellie Manners, 80’), Ellie Szekeres, Mia Parker (captain) (Martha Riley, 80’), Freya Morgan (Bogi Tramontini, 55), Alice Curr, Nat Cowell (Macey-Nikiah Walters, 60’), Sophie Bishop (Keren Banduka, 80’)

Reading goalscorer: Alice Curr, 81’

Southampton Women goalscorer: Sky Stone, 6’

Reading yellow cards: None

Southampton Women yellow card: Manisha Kaur, 90+4’

First half

It was a first half in which Reading struggled to find their rhythm, perhaps not helped by conceding an early goal as the hosts made a fast start.

Southampton thought they had taken the lead within the opening few minutes when top goalscorers Chloe Ball and Katie Elwood combined well, only for Elwood’s effort to be ruled out for offside.

Just a minute later, Elwood went close again, cutting in from the right before forcing a smart save from Butler, who did well to turn her effort around the post.

However, from the resulting corner, the hosts made their pressure count. The delivery was sent deep towards the back post, where Stone was lurking unmarked to volley home, finding the net just inside the post to give Southampton the early advantage. 1-0.

Spurred into action, Reading regrouped and began to show more attacking intent, with Bishop coming closest on two occasions.

Her first effort drifted wide of the target, but she didn’t have to wait long for her next opportunity, meeting Curr’s cross with a left-footed, goal-bound volley, only to see her effort rebound off the post.

Reading’s first of eight corners caused chaos in the Southampton penalty area. Poole flicked on Morgan’s cross, with goalkeeper Carter only able to parry the ball into the path of Keziah Banduka.

The Reading defender’s close-range effort looked destined for the back of the net, only to strike Parker in a crowded penalty area. Poole followed up with another effort, but Carter was once again on hand to save at the near post.

As Reading pushed for an equaliser, the midfield trio had to remain alert, not only to prevent Southampton from playing passes in behind to utilise the pace of forwards Ball and Elwood, but also to stand firm in an increasingly combative encounter, with some pretty robust challenges.

With new additions to the squad over the summer, Reading captain Parker probably hasn’t enjoyed as much game time as she would have liked. However, she looked back to her best on Sunday, showing her strength in the challenge and producing some excellent distribution.

She was also unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet with Reading’s final attack of the first half.

A pass from Poole found Curr, allowing the winger to deliver a cross towards the near post. Parker met it with a close-range effort, but Southampton goalkeeper Carter reacted superbly, blocking the shot with her left leg to deny the Reading captain a goal.

Half time: 1-0

Reading picked up where they had left off before the break, winning a couple of early corners as they looked to pile on the pressure and find an equaliser.

Poole delivered a near-perfect cross into the penalty area, where striker Cowell was unmarked but agonisingly just inches away from connecting with what could have been a brilliant headed goal.

Reading knew they needed to remain vigilant, and were given a timely reminder of the home side’s attacking threat 10 minutes into the second half. Elwood found herself with a close-range opportunity but, fortunately for Reading, she blazed her effort over the crossbar.

Jackson-Norris introduced fresh legs, bringing on Walters and Tramontini for Cowell and Morgan. Hungarian youth international Tramontini made an almost-immediate impact, using her trickery to win a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area with Reading unable to capitalise from the resultant set-piece.

With 10 minutes remaining, and frustration mounting after a second half in which Reading had struggled to turn their pressure into a goal, Jackson-Norris made three further changes. Riley, Manners and Keren Banduka were introduced for Whitburn, Bishop and Parker in a final push to secure a deserved reward for Reading’s second-half efforts.

And the changes paid off! Reading continued to pile on the pressure, winning their eighth corner of the match. Curr stepped up to deliver a superb right-footed corner that curled beautifully into the far top corner, leaving the Southampton goalkeeper with no chance to bring Reading back into the game. 1-1.

Curr almost completed another Reading comeback win with a dangerous set-piece opportunity in the closing stages after Keren Banduka was hacked down by Manisha Kaur on the edge of the penalty area. The Southampton defender was rightly shown a yellow card for the reckless challenge.

Curr stepped up to take the resulting free-kick, with her delivery clipping the wrong side of the far post, denying Reading a dramatic late winner in what proved to be the final chance of the match.

Full time: 1-1

There were several excellent individual performances within a Reading side that refused to give up until the final whistle, producing a frustrating but enjoyable comeback.

Curr was a constant threat throughout, with her creativity, assists and dangerous set-piece deliveries causing Southampton problems.

Poole impressed with her strength and pace, providing an attacking outlet from left-back, while Szekeres excelled in her defensive-midfield role, offering excellent protection to the back four, breaking up play and snuffing out numerous Southampton attacks.

Young central defender Moore continues to grow in confidence with every game. She demonstrated both composure and strength beyond her years, gliding across the pitch with an almost effortless, swan-like elegance to regain possession and launch Reading counter-attacks, while also showing her more combative side to stand firm against some heavy challenges from the hosts.

There’s been a further update on when Reading fans will next get the chance to watch their team in action at the SCL Stadium, following the Southern Region League administration team’s release of another batch of fixtures this week.

The good news is that supporters now look set to have at least one opportunity to watch the team at the SCL before Christmas, with Reading scheduled to host Chesham United on Sunday November 22.

The not-so-good news involves one of the biggest fixtures of Reading’s league campaign and one many fans, from both sides, will be looking forward to. The home clash against AFC Portchester (Sunday December 6), which could prove crucial in the race for the title, looks set to take place at the Royals’ training ground, Bearwood Park, rather than the SCL – which, if it remains this way, would be disappointing news indeed.

We will have to wait for further details on the arrangements for this AFC Portchester match, including confirmation of the proposed venue and access for fans.

Before then, Reading face another tough test next weekend as they travel to take on Winchester City Flyers at the Charters Community Stadium on Sunday November 8 (2pm kick-off).

The fixture marks Reading’s seventh consecutive away game and sets up an intriguing encounter for supporters to look forward to, as Reading look to overcome their tier-five nemesis, having failed to beat the Hampshire side in their last four meetings.

See you there!