AFC Porchester 2-0 Reading Women: Match Report
The Royals tasted defeat in their last game of the 2024/25 season.
Reading Women’s final match of the season ended in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of AFC Porchester, with two first-half goals from striker Millie Bradbury enough to secure all three points for the home side.
It was always going to be a tough match against a Porchester side enjoying an impressive first season in tier five, after back-to-back promotions, with the possibility of finishing second behind champions Ascot United if they win their remaining two fixtures.
Reading manager Pedro Bruno made two changes from the victory against Badshot Lea last weekend: Assia Fatri and Zuzanna Gajzler both returned to the starting line-up in place of Ellie Herbert (named as a substitute) and Rachael Poole (unavailable).
Team: Amy Whale, Mollie Dench, Amber Lloyd (Shardonna’e Kekere-Ekun, 45), Megan Giles, Poppy Airey, Caitlin Levy (Sumayah Zayadi, 45, Ellie Herbert, 87),Assia Fatri, Keira Morl, Lucy Bolitho (Captain), Mia Bradley, Zuzanna Gajzler
Unused substitute: Tiffany Lee
AFC Porchester goalscorer: Millie Bradbury, 7, 29
After only two defeats in their last six matches, Reading shaped up positively, with Mia Bradley, Lucy Bolitho and Zuzanna Gajzler leading an attack-minded front three. Bradley went close in the opening two minutes, her shot flashing across the goal and just wide of the back post.
If the home side were surprised, they quickly jolted into action, first winning a corner and shortly after showing why they are chasing down second place. Mille Bradbury demonstrated her quality, finding space on the edge of the Royals penalty area to rifle a shot past ‘keeper Amy Whale to take an early lead. 1-0.
With the Royals shellshocked, Porchester nearly added a second when Reading goalkeeper Whale couldn’t hold onto a fierce shot. Bradbury was quickest to react, her effort hitting the inside of the near post but rebounding across the goal and cleared away to safety.
Reading regained their composure and played some nice football, putting the pressure back on the home side. Captain (and, spoiler alert, fans’ player of the season) Bolitho was desperately unlucky not to grab an equaliser when, from the second of two quick corners, her header struck the underside of the crossbar.
With confidence growing, Reading pushed on and were unlucky once again when pressure from Dench panicked Porchester’s Sam Jennings to knock the ball past her own goalkeeper but, fortuitously for the defender, just past the post for another corner.
With nearly 30 minutes gone, and before the Royals could capitalise on some good play, the home side doubled their lead. Bradbury latched onto a long ball and outpaced the Reading defence to coolly slot past Whale for her second goal of the afternoon. 2-0.
With Porchester now in control, the Royals did everything they could to keep themselves in the game. Whale pulled off a great save after some good defending from Airey and a fantastic block from Dench, throwing herself into the challenge.
The woodwork came to the rescue again when a Porchester corner was swung in at pace, hitting the crossbar and rebounding out for a Reading throw-in on the far side.
Morl had the last effort before the half-time whistle was blown. The Reading left-back’s long-range effort forced Porchester goalkeeper Aimee Woodward to back peddle, getting just enough reach to palm the ball away to safety.
Half-time: 2-0
Bruno made two changes at half-time: Lloyd and Levy making way for the attacking options of Zayadi and Kekere-Ekun, meaning the defence had to be reshuffled. Dench moved to centre-back, Morl went to central defensive midfield and Bradley was asked to play a deeper left-back position.
With the home side in a comfortable position, they seemed content just to protect their lead. Although Reading tried, they just couldn’t find enough to get that vital goal to get themselves back into the match.
Dench must have thought she had scored when she blasted a shot from the edge of box, which looked destined for the roof of the net, only to see a brave headed block from Mia Adaway. The referee called an immediate halt to play after the Porchester number 11 was floored (and eventually back on her feet to continue play, after treatment).
Still Reading pushed on. Gajzler and Kekere-Ekun had well-struck efforts but both shots were wide of the target.
It was also a comfortable second half for Whale in the Reading goal. Porchester were limited to long-range attempts, none of which troubled the Royals ‘keeper.
As the match drifted towards the final whistle, Bruno made one last change, bringing on Herbert to enjoy a taste of the last few minutes of the season, in place of Zayadi.
Full-time: 2-0
Although it was a defeat, you can clearly see the improvement this young Reading team have made over the course of the season. With the exception of the recent Oxford City blip, you can also see the improvement in their overall confidence, resilience and mental toughness.
The reverse fixture against Porchester was a perfect example of the contrast. That day, the Royals’ heads dropped and they struggled to recover after letting in two quick goals before half-time, eventually losing the match 4-1.
There were six players nominated for fans’ player of the season, with the shield kindly provided by STAR. All of them were worthy potential winners: Mia Bradley, Mollie Dench, Lucy Bolitho, Zuzanna Gajzler, Keira Morl and Cherry Preisner.
Of course, there could only be one winner, with the fans’ online poll resulting in a podium finish of third for Mollie Dench and second for Cherry Preisner. Royals captain and leading goalscorer (after her hat-trick last weekend) Lucy Bolitho received the most votes - congratulations Lucy!
It’s been an interesting, bumpy and, at times, roller-coaster ride of a season to watch - especially up to Christmas - but one the fans, players and management coaching team can be proud of.
There are too many players to mention (and I apologise if I have missed anyone) but, at the heart of the success (and it has been a success), there’s been a core of hard-working individuals (in addition to the six already nominated) that have turned up, week on week, put in a shift and done their best (and then some!) under some pretty difficult conditions and testing times. Players such as Lilly Brooke-Cousins, Ellie Herbert, Megan Giles, Caitlin Levy, Poppy Airey and Assia Fatri.
The squad has changed over the course of the season with Rachel Poole, Amber Lloyd, Sumayah Zayadi, Tia Lee, Sajunae Turner and of course not forgetting twins Maya and Kayla Raghunandanan all contributing at different times.
Finally, a special mention to the Reading goalkeeper Amy Whale. The Porchester match was her fourth of the season, taking over from the injured Preisner, with some impressive stats. This game was the first time she has experienced defeat while playing for the Royals.
The final league table (the last few fixtures to be played don’t affect us) shows an eighth-place finish, but one where the Royals sit comfortably above the bottom two sides: Badshot Lea and Selsey. The Royals are closer to seventh-place Sholing than we could ever have imagined halfway through the season.
After an exhausting season, players, coaches and fans alike can all take a well earned break, relaxing and getting ready to enjoy the summer months before we set off for another new season (and whatever happens in between - it is Reading Football Club after all) when we’ll do it all again. I’ll see you there!