Reading Women 2-1 Selsey Women: Match Report

The Royals finally have lift-off in the league, with a Lucy Bolitho brace securing a long overdue, and well deserved, victory.

Two goals from Lucy Bolitho - one in each half - were enough for Reading Women to register their first league win of the season with a 2-1 victory on Sunday. They came from behind after visitors Selsey Women took an early lead via winger Isabelle Wheatley.

Without putting too much pressure on the game - particularly when we’re only halfway through the season - it was still an obvious opportunity to see how Reading would compare and match up against another team at the wrong end of the table.

It was a match where the scoreline didn’t reflect the domination, possession and chances created by the Royals, who - with a bit more composure and a clinical finish - should have put the game beyond the reach of Selsey. It was still a well earned and well deserved vital three points, propelling Reading from the bottom of the table into eighth position - leapfrogging both Badshot Lea and Selsey.

Selsey were relegated last season from tier four, division one South West League and have again struggled to find any form. They started the afternoon in eighth position, after 10 matches, with only two points - both earned in 2-2 draws against fellow relegation strugglers Badshot Lea, who sit just below them.

There were three changes to the starting line-up (from last weekend’s defeat to Winchester City Flyers). With Rosie Robinson and Lily Simmonds not in the squad, Reading manager Pedro Bruno introduced Poppy Airey, Caitlin Levy and Sajunae Turner - with Megan Giles on the substitutes bench alongside Sumayah Zayadi.

Team: Cherry Preisner (GK), Lilly Brooke-Cousins (Megan Giles, 45) , Caitlin Levy (Lilly Brooke-Cousins, 60), Mollie Dench, Lucy Bolitho (Captain), Keira Morl, Poppy Airey, Mia Bradley, Zuzanna Gajzler, Sajunae Turner (Sumayah Zayadi, 27, Sajunae Turner, 65, Sumayah Zayadi, 85), Assia Fatri.

Reading subs unused: None

Yellow cards: None

Reading goalscorer: Lucy Bolitho 37, 63

Selsey goalscorer: Isabelle Wheatley, 14

First half

Reading started confidently, winning a corner and free-kick within the opening couple of minutes, though Bradley’s set-pieces were unable to find any Reading players within the penalty area.

There’s no doubt that Reading’s strengths lie in the creative attacking options available. Bradley got down the right wing time and again, with another early angled effort flying across the Selsey six-yard box but wide of the back post.

Gajzler’s movement, work rate and trickery caused problems to the Selsey defenders from a central position - setting up an early chance for Royals captain Bolitho, whose rushed effort blazed wide of the goal.

Turner and Zayadi took it in turns (with the tactical use of rolling substitutes) to provide a target to aim at, hold the ball up and allow midfielders Bolitho and Fatri to press and join the attack to great effect.

It was, therefore, a bit of a shock when the visitors scored the first goal of the match - with pretty much their first (and only) dangerous attack during the first half. Selsey captain Nancy Sanderson combined well with Isabelle Wheatley, whose cross from a tight angle on the right looped over Preisner, finding its way into the top corner of the Reading goal. 0-1.

Pleasingly, it didn’t appear to dampen the resolve of the Reading team, who quickly brushed themselves down and continued to attack, picking up where they left off. Bradley immediately flashed another pass across the penalty area, eluding all.

Gajzler then had a couple of quick shots - her second effort was pushed wide by Millie Delamont, in the Selsey goal, setting up Royals striker Turner with an open goal - only to see her side-foot attempt go the wrong side of the post. A big miss.

Bolitho never gave up trying, putting another shot straight at the Selsey ‘keeper, before she finally got her just reward with a stunning strike from the edge of the penalty - which flew into the top right-hand corner for the equaliser. 1-1.

Before the half-time whistle blew, Bolitho and Bradley both had chances to put the Royals ahead. Reading captain Bolitho’s effort was blasted over from the penalty spot, with winger Bradley’s effort bending just wide of the far post.

The stats (according to my math) at half-time proved Reading’s dominance, with 10 shots (and plenty of half-chances) and three corners - compared to two shots and zero corners for the visitors.

Half-time score: 1-1

Reading manager Bruno made one change at half-time, bringing on Giles for Brooke-Cousins (who came on again later). Selsey started the second half with the first shot - straight at Preisner, who saved comfortably.

From then on, it was pretty much one-way traffic with the Royals on the hunt for that elusive second goal. Bradley cut in from the right to set up Zayadi - her shot lacking power and saved by the fingertips of Delamont on the Selsey goal line.

The breakthrough came on the hour mark. The lay-back to the edge of the Selsey penalty area was perfectly executed by Bolitho - her shot tucked into the bottom left-hand corner. 2-1.

Although the Royals continued to pile on the pressure they just couldn’t find the goal to put a bit of distance on the scoreline and help relax the (what appeared to be a smaller than usual) Reading crowd and, no doubt, a nervous Reading coaching team (trying desperately not to show it!).

Bradley fired a dipping free-kick just over the crossbar.

Late in the match, Gajzler did put the ball in the back of the net - only to see her goal ruled out for offside, which was a shame after a particularly good bit of play involving four Reading players.

From corners: Turner had a close-range shot blocked by the Selsey goalkeeper, Brooke-Cousins fired high, and a Dench header was blazed over too.

With the Reading goalkeeper remaining alert to any loose balls, there weren’t any real scares late on, but still, when the whistle finally blew for the end of the match, it was greeted with cheers and shrieks of delight from fans and players alike. Phew.

Full-time score: 2-1

It was a well earned and well deserved win for the Royals. With the core of the team looking more settled, it certainly looked as though some of the players are now able to play in positions which are more suited to them.

The defence in front of Preisner, although evolving, is more settled too, with Dench marshalling and leading by example. It’s also important to mention the utility of Morl, who was asked to play left-back, right-back and finally in midfield in this game - with 100% effort in every role.

The team are definitely growing and maturing, and their passing and movement are really coming together now. With a more consistent and regular starting line-up - which we have seen of late - this can only bode well for future matches.

There’s no doubt that scoring goals is still a bit of a problem, so this result can surely only help with confidence - as they have the attacking power, creatively and skill to score. They just need to believe in themselves and, hopefully, today’s victory will help this.

Next week, Sunday January 26, Reading are back in League Cup action - away to league rivals Sholing (to avenge an opening 3-0 league fixture defeat) with a 2.30pm kick-off. See you there!