Watford Women 3-2 Reading Women: Match Report

29/04/2024 10:10

Madison Perry scored twice in the second half, but Watford earned the win through Carly Johns, Andria Georgiou and Coral-Jade Haines goals.

Two second-half goals from Madison Perry weren't enough for Reading Women, with Watford securing a 3-2 victory thanks to goals from Carly Johns, Andria Georgiou and Coral-Jade Haines, at Vicarage Road, yesterday afternoon.

After last weekend's euphoria with the win against Durham Women, putting relegation fears to rest, this 'no pressure' last match of the season was an opportunity missed for the Royals to really show what they are capable of - against a Watford team, already relegated, and who had before the match only won three and drawn three matches.

A slow start to the match and a 2-0 half-time deficit left the team in blue and white with just too much to do in the second half.

Although Reading have leaked too many goals this season (40) - with only Durham and Watford conceding more (both 44) - it was also a familiar story offensively, with the team both not creating enough chances and then not being clinical enough when the opportunities came. Unfortunately, the stats don't lie, with only 20 goals scored in 22 matches - the lowest in the league (Watford's three goals took their tally up to 22!).

Liam Gilbert made only one, forced, change to the starting line-up, with Mayi Kith slotting in at right-back in place of Bethan Roberts, who was missing from the squad. After the recent success of the under-21s it was good to see Eve Annets back and named as one of two goalkeepers on the substitutes bench.

Reading (4-3-3): Burns (GK), Mayi Kith, Stapleton (Cooper, 51), Hendrix (captain), Dugdale, Primmer (Elwood, 89), Estcourt, Flannery (Longhurst, 10), Perry, Woolley, Wade

Unused subs: Orman (GK), Annets (GK), Smith, Jarvis, Hunt

Goalscorers: Perry, 71, 80

Yellow cards: Woolley, 59

Jackie Burns was called into action in the opening four minutes, when Abbie Lafayette was allowed too much space and freedom down the Watford left wing, with the Reading goalkeeper getting her angles right to deny the early shot.

With just 10 minutes on the clock, there was an early blow for Reading with Keira Flannery suffering an injury, and having to be substituted (for Josie Longhurst), after a clumsy challenge from Michelle Agyemang. The towering Watford striker landed heavily on the Reading midfielder, who required a long period of treatment.

With a quarter of an hour gone, it was the home team who were on the front foot, looking dangerous, with striker Carly Johns coming close to opening the scoring, her right-foot shot just wide of the Reading goal.

The Watford number nine didn't have to wait long. Just seconds later she made no mistake with her finish, after Poppy Wilson slid a great ball through to open up the Reading defence. 1-0.

It took Reading nearly 30 minutes to get going, with two attempts in quick succession, both hitting the Watford woodwork. Jesse Woolley's shot, from a tight angle, hit the near post and, from the resultant corner, Perry saw her header strike the crossbar.

With new-found confidence, Reading created a couple more chances just before the 45-minute mark. Woolley cut in from the left, with her right-foot effort bending just wide of the far post and, Perry's side-foot shot was directed straight to Sofia Middleton-Patel in the Watford goal.

With eight minutes of time added on, Watford had the final say. A long-range shot from Annie Rossiter forced the Reading goalkeeper to firstly tip the ball onto the crossbar and react quickly to stop the second attempt. There was, unfortunately, nothing Burns could do after a wonderful striker by Andria Georgiou, from the edge of the penalty area, flew past her to put the home side into a 2-0 half-time lead.

Whatever 'honest conversations' the Reading team had at half-time nearly worked when, in the opening minute of the restart, Longhurst slipped a delightful pass through to Tia Primmer. With only the goalkeeper to beat, she saw her first shot saved, with her second attempt denied by the post, from a tight angle - as the goal mouth beckoned.

Perry became Reading's leading Championship league goalscorer, nodding in at close range, from a Woolley cross, with her third goal of the season. 2-1.

The comeback was short-lived when, just six minutes later, Coral-Jade Haines struck a fierce shot from some 25 yards out, catching the Reading goalkeeper off guard and flying into the top corner. It was to be her last kick of the match, being substituted as part of a treble change by Watford. 3-1.

Again, Reading weren't finished and it was Perry again (her fourth league goal, plus one more in the FA Cup) with a back-post finish from a deep Lauren Wade corner. 3-2.

With 12 minutes of time added on, and with the introduction of Amelia Elwood (for the the hard-working Primmer), Reading continued to press, but were unable to find the equaliser and salvage something from the match.

A disappointing end to the match and not the result or performance to end the season on. However, the hard work had already been done with Championship football secured for next season - finishing 10th in the league and six points from relegation.

Although young Perry takes the title of leading league goal scorer, it was Charlie Wellings (not in the squad for the last few weeks) who finished as top goal scorer overall, with a total of six in all competitions.

With Portsmouth and Newcastle promoted, and Bristol City back in the Championship (after their brief WSL adventure), it's going to be another challenging season ahead.

With the Championship moving towards a full-time status, let's hope the 2024/25 season brings new owners (touches wood), with serious commitment and funding to the Women's team - with ambitions for success being more than just Championship survival! See you there.