This was a game that the U18’s had to win after suffering there 2nd defeat of the season to Wimbledon Town last week a win was a must just to keep in touch with the league leaders.

Team News:  4-1-2-3  (Gk) Sophie G, (RB) Nicole R, (LB) Georgia C, (RCB) Bobby L, (LCB) Harriett R, (DM) Bianca R, (CM) Georgia G, (CM) Katie W,  (CFL) Louise C, (CFR) Chloe M,  (CF) Nicole S.  
SUBS: Lisa S, Charlie B, Katy M

Players missing from today’s Line up were Becky K & Sophie L.

First Half

The first half started a little slowly with both teams sussing each other out, Reading were playing a slightly different formation to normal and it showed. The flowing football that the girls normally played wasn’t on show and playing the 3 upfront the girls tended to play it long which wasn’t the answer.
But as the half wore on the girls started to get the ball wide and attack the space in behind the Abbey defence. 20mins and Reading took the lead Littlefoot collected the ball from the goal kick she passed the ball inside to Katie who played it wide to Chloe, she crossed into the box and with the Abbey defenders panicking Louise stole the ball and prodded home 1-0.
Almost straight from kick off it was 2-0 Louise took on the full back and then played it back for Katie who played Nicole S through the middle, she held off the defender and powered the ball home 2-0. The play then got extremely scrappy with both teams seeming content to just play long ball meaning both defences were on top.
With 5mins left of the first half Reading won a corner, Georgia C swung in a great corner Katie went up with the keeper the ball feel to her feet and she buried it in the roof of the net 3-0 at Halftime.

Second Half

Reading lined for the 2nd half determined to keep the ball on the floor and get back to actually playing football.
Instantly the game was different everybody wanted the ball and Abbey were chasing shadows. Reading was now creating chances by the plenty and it was only a matter of time before we added to the score.
60mins into the game and Reading made their first substitution Charlie B came on for Louise, Charlie went into Midfield with Littlefoot pushing out to the left hand side of the attack.
Charlie won the ball just inside Abbeys half and played the ball wide to Chloe who took one touch and played the into the area at pace, it was the cross of the match and Nicole S provided the finish to match meeting on the volley on the stretch directing the ball into the top left hand corner 4-0 to Reading.
70mins gone and Reading made their 2nd substitution bringing on Katy M for Nic R. Katy M dropped in to play right back.
Little foot broke down the left and played in Nicole S who switched the play over to the right with Katie W waiting on the edge of the area she took a touch and then drilled the ball in to the top left hand corner for her 2nd goal of the game and a great strike 5-0.
75min and Reading made their 3rd and final substitution Littlefoot coming off and Lisa making her Debut for Reading Girls. Chloe switch over to the left and Lisa played wide right.
Chloe broke into the box only to be fouled by the Abbey defender and the ref pointed to the spot Penalty. Vice Capt Bobby stepped up wanting to take the kick, she placed the ball carefully on the spot then run up and placed it high over the bar as she turned to me she was muttering something about the ball moving and her foot slipping.     :)
Nicole S added the 6th goal and completing her hattrick with a great header from another superb corner from Georgia C making the score 6-0.
Super Sub Lisa very nearly scored on her debut, she was put through by Nicole S and Lisa showed a turn of pace that shocked me; her she shot was straight at the keeper. Final Score was 6-0 to Reading.

Summary

This was a game of 2 half’s with Reading winning both 3-0 but it was the way we won them.

 1st half we had a lot of chances but created very little, Abbeys mistakes let us in for our 3 goals, although we were the better team the game looked very messy.

2nd half we played a much higher tempo of football, we kept the ball moving and created a lot of chances, the football was good and Abbey just couldn’t live with our movement.

 Next week we are at Home to AFC Wimbledon.

Thanks

Craig Gareppo
Reading Under 18’s