Due to Half term Reading had 3 players away and unable to play. Also Nadine was in line to make her debut after her transfer from Abbey Rangers was completed early Tuesday morning. 
The weather was awful it was cold and the rain was constant the ref was close to calling the game off but a sensible approach was agreed by both teams and the game was on.

Team News:  4-2-3-1  (Gk) Sophie G, (RB) Bianca, (LB) Georgia C, (RCB) Bobby L, (LCB) Harriett R, (DM) Charlie B, (DM) Katie, (AM) Nic S,  (CFL) Louise C, (CFR) Georgia G,  (CF) Becky K.  
SUBS: Lisa & Nadine.

Players missing from today’s Line up were Nicole R, Chloe, Gurneet, Charlotte.

First Half

Cobham being the home team started the brightest and was retaining possession quite well, Reading were holding their shape well and kept Cobham at bay.
20mins into the first half Reading started to get the better of the game and started to ask a few questions of the Cobham back line, Katie and Becky both producing good saves from the keeper.
Becky was strong and was holding the ball up with Nic and Katie supporting her well.
With Reading starting to get on top Cobham resorted to long ball but Sophie was quick off her line and dealt with there through balls very well.
Nic chased a long ball down the left hand side easily beating the fullback cutting inside and played the ball square to Littlefoot how played the ball across to Katie, one touch and bang 20 yard drive whizzed past the post with the keeper stranded great shot.
30mins in and Cobham won a corner a great challenge from Bianca took everything the ball, grass and the player the corner was floated in and after a goalmouth scramble we cleared the ball straight against the Cobham’s strikers knee and the ball flew into the net 1-0 Cobham.
The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the girls and although they still kept their shape Cobham was on top for the remainder of the half. Halftime was 1-0 to Cobham.

Second Half

After a stirring talk at halftime the girls came out pumped up and ready for the challenge that lay ahead. Georgia C had to leave at halftime as she was going to watch X Factor (+ backstage passes) and get her picture taken with JLS.
Nadine came on for Georgia C making her debut. She dropped in at right back; Bianca moved into centre mid; Becky moved wide right and Littlefoot dropped into left back.
Reading were straight on to the attack and were pushing for that equalising goal and they didn’t have to wait long 15mins into the 2nd half Reading were level, Charlie won the ball in midfield and played the ball into Nic’s feet, she turned quickly and took the ball past the defender with ease, then from just outside the penalty box she smashed the ball past the despairing dive of the keeper into the bottom left hand corner AWESOME goal 1-1.
This was the belief that the girls needed and it was game on, Reading pushed on looking likely to score at any minute and every attack had me jumping around on the sideline.
Then totally against the run of the game Cobham scored their 2nd goal, a very good corner driven into the box we failed to clear our lines again and the Cobham striker prodded the ball home 2-1 Cobham.
But this didn’t stop the girls they knew now they could score and carried on pushing forward, we were getting close but never closer enough it was great to watch but yet still very frustrating.
Nicole nearly equalised after a great solo run saw her ghost past 2 defenders round the keeper only for the Cobham defender to clear the ball right of Nicole’s toe.
80mins gone and Reading finally got what they deserved Louise won the ball on the halfway line and played the ball in front of Nic, she run on to it holding of 2 defenders rounded the keeper and skilfully slotted the ball home 2-2 Justice was served.
After levelling the score for the 2nd time the girls pushed on knowing they deserved this one more chance was needed, Reading created 2. Louise picked up the ball in her own half beat one player and then played the ball in between 2 defenders Katie run onto this shot first time with the keeper making a good save.
In the last minute Nadine won the ball and played down the line to Becky who played a great ball through to Nic, she was through on goal and the keeper came out closing the angle,  Nic went for the top corner but agonizingly the ball skimmed the bar and ended up going over.

Summary

Take into account the wind and the rain lashing down this was a great game of football to watch between 2 of the top teams in the league.
The game was played in the right way with both teams going for it.
Plus points Nicole continued her goal scoring exploits with another 2 cracking goals, Louise finally turned in a top notch performance, Harriet looked calm at the back as always, Nadine made her debut and fair play to her she played in 2 positions she wouldn’t normally play and did a great job for team. Katie 2nd half was back to being a good playmaker and Charlie & Bianca controlled the midfield in the 2nd half and of course there was Lisa giving me heart attacks with her many stepovers in OUR penalty box.
But on the whole it was a good team performance today, first half was steady but 2nd half they really stepped up their game and deserved to win the game.

Next week we are Away to Hamsey Ladies

Thanks

Craig Gareppo
Reading Under 18’s