- SRWFL
- Sunday 18th January
- 14:00 kick off
- Arbour Park, Stoke Rd, Slough SL2 5AY
- Watch live on GasroomTV (UPDATE: connection failed preventing us going live)
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This week the Firsts went a whole year undefeated in league games, since losing 2-1 at Ascot on 12 January, a quite remarkable record. Reading are sure to test that record at Arbour Park. In a tense goalless draw last month at Burnham, Reading very nearly pulled off a famous win, the ball was on the way into the net late on when Amelia Mulvaney appeared out of nowhere to clear the ball off the line, a superb bit of work. The Chairgirls did have two good chances to score in the opening minutes, but Reading did a good pressing job on us, restricting us to very few chances.
The striking thing about the Royals is that they have the second best defence in the league, just 11 from 8 conceded, but the third worst attack, only 13 from 8 scored. Only the bottom two have scored less.
Reading have a new threat up front. 17 year old Scottish striker Tyra Wilson returns as a dual-registered player with National D1 South West side Swindon Town. She made three appearances for Reading at the start of the season, scoring twice, then made several sub appearances for Swindon. With Swindon having won all 10 league matches, it must be hard for squad players to get much game time, so she is back with the Royals and played in their 3-2 home defeat to Winchester City Flyers last Sunday. Wilson scored direct from a corner to give them a 1-0 HT lead, footage here - https://x.com/ReadingFCWomen/status/2011505920199520407?s=20
The Flyers came back to win 3-2 and âThe Tilehurst Endâ match report draws attention to Wilsonâs surging runs on the left flank, her dead balls and a shot just wide of the post. It also mentions Readingâs press, lining up four players on the edge of the Flyersâ area at goal kicks, âready to pounceâ. We always like to play out from goal kicks so one to watch out for.
Tickets for the Arbour Park game can be bought in advance - http://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=15568 - ÂŁ5 adults, ÂŁ3 U18 but Iâm sure you can pay on the turnstile.
âThe Tilehust Endâ write a lot about their Womenâs team and have an interesting review of 2025 - 2025: Another Big Year Of Change For Reading FC Women | The Tilehurst End - which includes the comment:
âIf I read the mood music correctly, Iâm guessing that playing a match at the SCL Stadium is off the table too. The home match against Wycombe Wanderers feels like a missed opportunity to raise awareness and interest, where Iâm sure the number of fans through the turnstile could have been in the hundredsâ.
Not playing both fixtures at the parent clubâs respective home stadiums was a lost opportunity. In our case it was an unfortunate clash with the menâs matches, but it would have been in the interests of all, including the league, to schedule our home match at a time when it could be played at Adams Park, and attract another good gate. Given that fixtures are released only a few at a time, it doesnât seem that the league were flexible about this.
It also appears from the article that funding for Reading Women, from the main club, will reduce next season and then end in 2027, so a new financial sponsor is required long term.
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No Tyra Wilson for Reading, but striker Keren Banduka returns after her medical emergency last month against Southampton Women.
Nothing happening on gasroomtv on You Tube. Is there a problem?
Weâre just trying to fix some teething issues, weâre still hoping to get the match stream live
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3â, early shot from Melton, into keeperâs arms.
Sadly our connection has failed preventing us going live, apologies everyone.
We will upload the full match replay once thatâs available.
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9â, 20 yard shot from Hill over the bar.
16â, Potter shot comfortably saved.
Opening 20 weâve been in control but not tested their keeper.
22â, 20 yard free kick pushed sideways to Lynch to blast into wall.
26â, 30 yarder from Hennessy well dealt with by the keeper. Straight after, Royals have their first shot on target, into Axeâs arms.
28â, Kern long ranger off target.
32â, Keren Banduka subbed for Royals.
36â dangerous through ball to Potter, keeper just gets there first, but injures herself.
42â, deep cross from Melton well defended.
44â, Watkins runs into box with ball, cuts back, should have shot, pass wasted.
HT 0-0, strong last 10 from us, weâve been the better side, playing through them with most of the play in their half, Jordanne controlling. The final touch and pass in the box is missing. We are kicking long from free kicks, not risking their press.
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47â, Hill shot just past post and bar.