The Royals progressed in the FA Cup thanks to a shootout win in West London.
Reading Women progressed to the first round proper of the FA Cup after a tense 3-2 penalty shoot-out victory against Richmond & Kew Women on Sunday, with the match goalless after 90 minutes.
The FA Cup is proving to be a good distraction for Pedro Bruno and his players and, with a squad now showing as 26 players in total, the Reading manager was able to name five substitutes (although Richmond & Kew went ‘two further’ with a full bench of seven named replacements).
Only two changes were made to last weekend’s starting line-up with new signing Mollie Dench making her debut, alongside the welcome sight of the experienced Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins returning to the team.
Team: Cherry Preisner (GK), Megan Giles, Lilly Brooke-Cousins, Lauren Drewett, Mollie Dench, Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins (Captain), Freya Morgan (Zuzanna Gajzler, 60), Mia Bradley (Rosie Robinson, 75), Lucy Bolitho, Keira Morl, Sumayah Zayadi (Sumayah Zayadi, 60)
Unused substitutes: Tia Lee, Ellie Herbert
Although not the easiest ground to travel to (and only 10 miles from the centre of London), Richmond & Kew FC Women play their home matches at one of the most delightful and picturesque suburban districts, in Ham.
It’s surrounded by fields, the bend of the river Thames (and Thames path), accompanied by views of the historic 17th-century Ham House in the background - all at no cost, with no parking or entrance fees for this third-round qualifying FA Cup match. It’s also a really welcoming and friendly club, with its own clubhouse facilities.
As goalless matches go, this one was hard-fought and entertaining - with both teams rueing the chances missed during the 90 minutes of play - each lacking composure and quality in the final third of the pitch.
There wasn’t much between the two teams - the Royals are still learning and gaining experience - against a Richmond & Kew team newly promoted to the London & South East Regional Football League (Division One North) and only one tier below in the pyramid.
The Royals, in their red away kit, took a while to settle into the match, with the home side enjoying the opening 15 minutes. The hosts forced an early save from Cherry Preisner in the Reading goal, winning a corner and coming close to a fortuitous lead when Hannah Curwen’s left-footed cross came close to drifting into the top corner.
After a nervous start, Reading grew into the match and enjoyed opportunities of their own. Mia Bradley did put the ball in the back of the net - only to see her effort ruled out for offside - and shortly after saw another effort just wide of the goal, after cutting in from the Royals’ left wing.
Reading’s best move of the match came halfway through the first period. Bradley’s neat pass found Keira Morl, whose deft touch set up Sumayah Zayadi for a chance and, with only the goalkeeper to beat, the Reading striker fired her powerful shot high and over the crossbar.
With the end of the first half approaching, the home side were guilty of an almost identical miss when Chanel Morris was clean through with only Preisner to beat - her effort wide of the Reading goalkeeper but, thankfully, wide of the Reading post too.
Half time: 0-0
It was the Reading goalkeeper who found herself busier than her counterpart during the second half. A looping shot from Sacha Brinkley was caught within the opening minutes of the restart, and another effort from Chanel Morris was quickly closed down well for a fine save by the impressive Preisner.
With Reading under pressure (Zayadi picking up Reading’s second yellow card of the season), the home side sensed a chance to push for the opener and made a double change. Substitute Charlotte Close came close on a couple of occasions, both efforts being dragged just wide of the Reading goal.
Reading manager Bruno made changes too, on the hour mark, introducing Santearna Spencer (for only her second match of the season - after returning from injury) and the exciting winger Zuzanna Gajzler - in place of the skilful Freya Morgan and hard-working centre-forward Zayadi. With 15 minutes remaining, right-winger Bradley had to be replaced after treatment for a heavy challenge - with Rosie Robinson the third and final Royals substitution.
With the match in time added on, it was the Reading fans, once again, with hearts in mouths. The home-side bench and fans appealed rather loudly for a handball in the Reading penalty area - only to be waved away by the referee who, almost immediately, also blew the full-time whistle - ironically for a penalty shoot-out (with no extra-time being played).
Full time: 0-0
It was a penalty shoot-out which progressed to, effectively, a knock-out competition - with both teams having to use their fifth and final penalty taker to decide the result.
With the home side taking the first penalty - and the shoot-out score at 2-2 going into the final kicks - it was, rather unusually, Richmond & Kew goalkeeper May Nelson who took the responsibility to step up. Her effort was struck well but rocketed off the crossbar, much to the delight and roar of the Reading players and fans alike.
With the match still not yet decided, it was left to substitute Gajzler to step up, keep her composure and fire home a well-struck penalty, winning the shootout 2-3 and securing the Royals a well-earned place in the first-round proper - as well as being swamped by the jubilant Reading players and substitutes.
Rebecca Coade (R&K) - scored: 1-0
Mollie Dench (Reading) - scored: 1-1
Hannah Curwen (R&K) - missed (over crossbar): 1-1
Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins (Reading) - scored: 1-2
Jessica Roberts (R&K) - scored: 2-2
Lucy Bolitho (Reading) - shot saved by Maya Nelson: 2-2
Brook Bridges (R&K) - shot saved by Cherry Preisner: 2-2
Keira Morl (Reading) - shot saved by May Nelson: 2-2
May Nelson (R&K) - shot hit crossbar: 2-2
Zuzanna Gajzler (Reading) - scored: 2-3
Penalty shootout: Richmond & Kew 2-3 Reading Women
The Royals have a chance to do this all again next week, starting their defence of the Berks & Bucks Cup, away to local rivals Caversham United, 2pm kick-off at Mapledurham Playing Fields (and free entry too). See you there!
