The Royals will feel badly done by because they were unable to build on a strong first half effort in which they twice hit the woodwork, as Sunderland displayed their ruthlessness to win all three points.
There were numerous opportunities and exciting moments during the first half of the game between Sunderland Women and Reading Women.
Reading had a few early chances to send the ball into the Sunderland box from set pieces as the game got underway. Estcourt found herself unguarded at the back post in the first attempt, and her fast shot was expertly deflected aside by Sunderland’s Moan. Reading managed to win three more corners, but was unable to beat the goalkeeper.
Early on, Sunderland put Reading’s defense to the test as Goddard’s long forward pass flew over Woodham and Ejupi was able to grab it. To prevent Sunderland from scoring first, Orman had to make a big stop by diving low.
Around the 15-minute mark, Reading’s next best opportunity presented itself. Wade was set up on the left side of the box by Troelsgaard following a quick, fluid play from back to front. She attempted to score with a low shot, but Sunderland’s Goddard stopped it, leading to a corner that the home team successfully cleared.
A long ball that was played from just inside Reading’s half wasn’t well cleared, giving Reading pause. Reading’s sharp goalkeeper, Orman, skillfully collected the dangerously rebounding ball as she sprinted off her line to deny Sunderland the opportunity to score.
Reading’s star player in the first half, Troelsgaard, was impeded as she charged down the right flank. Gregory had the chance to whip in a long cross, but unfortunately for Reading, it didn’t make clean contact and rolled to the goalkeeper instead.
Troelsgaard came close to catching the net, but the woodwork stopped him. Troelsgaard was able to make a deft inside move and unleash a powerful shot that rattled the crossbar after being gifted a well-recycled corner ball. Hendrix was the recipient of the rebound, but she was unable to keep her shot on target.
Quickly taking advantage of Reading’s inability to clear their lines, Sunderland replied. Kitching deftly snuck past Mayi Kith in the box, dropped to the ground, and was brought down by Reading, but the referee rejected Sunderland’s claims of a penalty.
If Reading was to find the net in the first half, it seemed it would be through Troelsgaard, who displayed moments of brilliance. However, her delicate chip over the keeper was agonizingly denied by the woodwork.
Sunderland responded promptly, earning themselves a corner. Orman came out to claim it but couldn’t grasp the ball. It fell to Jones on the edge of the box, and she slotted it into the bottom corner, delivering a bitter blow to Reading just before the halftime whistle.
Halftime Score: Sunderland 1 – 0 Reading
