On Sunday, Matthew went to Slough to watch Reading Women v Woodley United, in their third league game of the season. It was a great day out with a really good vibe and nice to see lots of people that he’s met in passing over the years.
If you had a chance to visit it’s highly recommended, Slough offers really good facilities and has a great bar – and all the staff are really lovely.
If you’re considering popping down to a game their next fixture is at home game next Sunday (6th October) at Arbour Park (Link to Google Maps) in Slough, against AFC Portchester.
You can check out the fixture list here and tickets can be purchased via “fanbase” here.
After a really quick start by Woodley, Reading Women found themselves a goal down, 0-1. Reading settled and within the first 15 minutes could have drawn level but for a good save by the Woodley keeper and had the ball in the net, but the offside flag was up.
Midway through the first half Reading FC Women scored a very deserved equaliser through Zuzanna Gajzler to make it 1-1, followed by chaos from a Mia Bradley corner putting Reading ahead through a deflected own goal. Reading FC Women went into the break 2-1 up.
Shortly after the second half kicked off, Woodley drew level through a screamer from Sarah Lawrence of Woodley United. 2-2. Around the 60th minute Woodley United found themselves down to ten after a couple of strong challenges on Gajzler, leasing to a second yellow card.
As the game drew on it became more open ended with a few good chances for each side, Lucy Bolitho going closest clipping the post. In the final throes Woodley United scored a late winner after Cherry Preisner deflected the ball from a free kick onto the post but debutant Chloe Melton was there on the rebound in for Woodley. Final score 2-3.
A tough defeat for a Reading FC Women team, who should take heart from the amount of progress visible in just their third game. If they can keep building from here results should start to follow soon.
Lineup:
1- Preisner
3- Giles
4- Herbert
6- Lee
7- Gajzler
8- Morgan
9- Bolitho
10- Fatri
12- Bradley
15- Drewett
16- Hoesli-Atkins (c)
Subs:
5- Clarke
21- Zayadi