Reading were knocked out of the County Cup quarter final stage, by unbeaten league leaders Knaphill, however only after a fantastic effort with only 11 fit players to select from.

Having not played for 2 months, losing flu victims Hannah Sheehan and Katie Dennis and players being asked to play out of position, the odds were well stacked against Reading, especially as the Knaphill squad looked big enough to field 2 teams!

Knaphill took the game to Reading early on and had a few chances to go in front, however, Kathryn Wood had a fine game in the Reading goal.  Reading welcomed back Tiff Brunton after 3 months out injured and she put in a couple of superb corners that flashed across the face of the goal as Reading started to hit back.  The opening goal went to Reading on 20 minutes.  Megan Heybourne fed Millie Bilcliff in the inside right position who did very well to beat her player and pull the ball back to the edge of the box, where MEL Saunders took a touch, before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the back of the net.

The makeshift defence did a fine job, trying to nullify the threat of the impressive Knaphill forward line.  However, Knaphill had a 10 minute spell where they twice unlocked the Reading defence to take a 2-1 lead.  Reading responded well and Millie’s fierce drive was well tipped over the bar by the Knaphill keeper.

A compliment to how close Reading pushed Knaphill in the second half, was that the majority of their large squad didn’t get a game (unless you include the last 2 minutes)!  The game opened up as Reading pushed forward in search of the equalizing goal.  The defence was in fine form with Sophie Pearce and Rachel Stout tightening things up on the wings, plus Charlotte Muzeen and Sian Wylie tackling superbly at the heart of the defence.  Sian also found time for a great mazy run that set up a chance for Olivia Gardner.

Olivia twice went close, first, when confusion at the back presented an open goal, but at an acute angle that just failed to hit the target, then just dwelling too long when Tiff rolled the ball invitingly across the box.  Jade Searle who has grown into the holding role so well, was providing the support to the defence, while Millie and Mel looked to support Tiff going forward, which eventually paid off with 10 minutes left.  Millie played a great one-two with Olivia, again turning provider, by pulling the ball across the 6 yard box, where TIFF was perfectly position to sweep home.

At this point Reading were on top and Knaphill were rattled.  Rattled enough to put in a couple of interesting tackles on Kathryn, as she picked up a couple of through balls.  Reading nearly went in front when Mel played Tiff through, but the keeper managed to bravely smother the shot.  For a side that was supposed to tire after such a long absence Reading were winning plenty of ball and pushing hard for a deserved winner, when Knaphill produced the killer goal on the break.  At this point Reading could have folded, but they pressed again and the key point of the game arrived 5 minutes from the end.  Tiff hit a free kick 25 yards out which took a couple of deflections, before bouncing agonizingly wide of the goal.  The last act was for Knaphill to score a 4th goal, which provided them with a more than flattering score line that was very harsh on the girls.

The girls played their hearts out and the team is really starting to gel.  Players have developed their games tremendously since the start of the season and there is a real team spirit amongst the girls.  Louise although disappointed to have lost was proud of the girls. 

LC