The Royals hosted Millwall at the glorious Madejski Stadium on Friday. Kick off was delayed for 15 minutes because of major traffic congestion caused by an incident on the adjacent M4. But despite the traffic a fantastic 879 fans turned out to cheer the Royals back to the top of WSL2 table.
Source: Nigel Hoyle Goalshots
Emma Follis
Thursday evening’s WSL2 game saw Doncaster Rovers Belles’ gain victory over Durham which put them back on top of the league, but Follis’ strikes and Harriet Scott’s effort continued the Royal’s title challenge and leapfrogged them over the Belles.
Millwall had begun the campaign with a run of two wins and five draws but were given an early warning of what was to come when Rebecca Jane went close in the opening exchanges.
The hosts were not made to wait long however as Bianca Bragg split the Millwall defence with a smart dink to put Follis through on 11 minutes and she made no mistake when one-on-one with Sarah Quantrill.
The Royals pushed on but were unable to capitalise until after the break, Scott doubling the score nine minutes into the second half with a thunderous strike into the top corner.
Bragg nearly added another but her curling effort was headed off the line, before Follis put the result beyond doubt on 72 minutes – lifting the ball over the on-rushing Quantrill.
However, the result was soured slightly for Reading late on when Bragg was sent off for a rash challenge.
Emma Follis said after her brace “It’s brilliant to be back at the top of the league, it is where we belong,” she explained. “A nice solid 3-0 win again and we just want to keep winning. Our aim at the beginning of the season was to get promoted, be at the top and we will compete against tough teams like Millwall, who put up a good fight and were unbeaten until now, so we’re always positive.”
“I always enjoy scoring goals, especially at an amazing stadium like this and with lots of fans in. Now we’ve just got to keep training hard and keep winning, and then maintain our fitness during the summer break before pushing for promotion again in the second half of the season.”
The Royals head out on the road to Durham next Sunday hoping to continue their form and maintain their title challenge.
Reading FC (4-3-3): Grace Moloney, Rebecca Jane, Kylie Davies, Kirsty McGee, Emma Follis, Rachel Rowe (Helen Ward 79), Laura Walkley (Bonnie Horwood 70), Lauren Bruton (Charlie Estcourt 84), Lois Roche, Bianca Bragg
Subs not used: Georgie Giddings, Eloise Wilson, Rebekah Haines, Claire Skinner
Bookings: none
Red cards: Bianca Bragg (77)
Millwall Lionesses (4-2-3-1): Sarah Quantrill, Leanne Cowan, Dionne Lennon, Naomi Cole, Francesca Strugnell, Danielle Carlton, Grace Fisk (Lillie Maple 57), Rosella Ayane (Rinsola Babajide 58), Ashlee Hinks, Megan Goss, Lillie Bilson
Subs not used: Chan Mackie, Jordan Butler, Ciara Sherwood, Lily Agg
Bookings: none
Red cards: none
Attendance: 879
Referee: Neil Morrison
Report courtesy of Reading FC Women
Images from Nigel Hoyle Goalshots
