Wycombe Wanderers 6-1 Reading Women: Match Report

Yesterday at 06:03 AM

The Royals endured a difficult evening in Buckinghamshire, losing heavily at Wycombe on Tuesday night.

Reading never recovered after conceding three early first-half goals to a rampant Wycombe Wanderers team, who eventually ran out 6-1 winners under the floodlights at Adams Park, on Tuesday evening.

A hat-trick from Jess Watkins, together with goals from Danielle Puddefoot, Emani Kassem and Kayla Potter, secured an emphatic victory. The Royals grabbed a consolation in the 90th minute though, Maya Raghunandanan scoring her first for the club.

It was quite an occasion and, regardless of the scoreline, must have been a great experience for the Reading team to play in the League One stadium, under the floodlights, and in front of an impressive crowd of 567.

For the Reading fans in attendance there will have been a few who remember the Royals playing here as their home ground, in the halcyon days (now seemingly in another era) of the WSL - and, of course, that FA Cup semi-final match against West Ham United! That was however now five years ago, and to put that in context, the majority of the current Royals squad would have only just started secondary school!

They were up against a Wycombe team in free-scoring form, putting five goals past both Woodley and AFC Porchester in their previous two outings, in an attempt to chase down champions elect Ascot United, who now lead by five points but have a game in hand.

It was also the first time the Reading players have faced Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins, in the starting line-up for Wycombe, after the ex-Royals captain left to join the Chairgirls mid-way through the season. There was no animosity from the Royals camp, who wished her well for the season - with the exception of this match!

Reading came to Adams Park in good form, with back-to-back victories and no goals conceded against relegation rivals Selsey and Badshot Lea.

Manager Pedro Bruno was able to name a full squad (for the fourth consecutive match), with three changes to the starting line-up. Cherry Preisner returned in goal after recovering from her concussion injury, in place of Amy Whale, missing from the sixteen.

Caitlin Levy, who had started the last three matches, was named on the substitutes bench. Kayla Raghunandanan (twin sister of Maya) also made her debut, with Ellie Herbert starting at centre-back due to Poppy Airey being unavailable.

Among the substitutes were Tiffany Lee - her second outing since Sholing away - and a first appearance for the recently signed young goalkeeper Abigail Reid. Less than two years ago, at the age of 15, she was playing for Wycombe's under-18s team.

Team: Cherry Preisner (GK), Mollie Dench, Ellie Herbert (Caitlin Levy, 26, Ellie Herbert, 81), Amber Lloyd, Rachael Poole, Lucy Bolitho (Captain), Keira Morl (Lily Brooke-Cousins, 62), Mia Bradley, Zuzanna Gajzler (Megan Giles, 62), Kayla Raghunandanan, Maya Raghunandanan.

Unused subs: Tiffany Lee, Abigail Reid (GK)

Reading goalscorer(s): Maya Raghunandanan, 90

Wycombe Wanderers goalscorer(s): Jess Watkins, 5,9,73, Danielle Puddefoot, 12, Emani Kassem, 47, Kayla Potter, 58

Yellow card(s): None

Attendance: 567

The Royals kicked off and immediately found themselves under pressure. Bradley, playing at right-back, cleared a dangerous cross and, just a minute later, Wanderers number seven Watkins provided an early warning of what was to come. Her attempted lob over the head of Reading 'keeper Preisner was just wide of the post.

In the opening minutes, it was clear that the hosts would be strong and quick down both flanks, and it only took them five minutes to open the scoring. Chairgirls captain Puddefoot delivered a cross from the Royals' right, into the box for Watkins, to side-foot into the goal. 1-0.

Four minutes later, with an almost identical move, it was the turn of Potter to provide the cross for Watkins to grab her second of the night, from close range. 2-0.

Just 12 minutes into the match, the Royals found themselves three down when Puddefoot struck her direct free-kick over the head of Preisner and into the top corner. 3-0.

On a chilly evening, with the temperature dipping, so too did the hopes of the Loyal Royals fans.

The Reading 'keeper, not unexpectedly, was called into action a few more times before the end of the first half, pulling off some good saves and important punches. That was much to the delight of the young, aspiring, Reading-supporting goalkeeper sat next to me, who - with the save Preisner made - would turn to me and say: "Write down 'great save by Cherry #goalkeepersunion'."

Reading made their first change of the match just before the half-hour mark. Levy came on to play central defensive midfield, Dench moving to centre-back, with Herbert rested - to return in a straight swap towards the end of the game.

The Wanderers goalkeeper won't have had too many easier first halves, with very little pressure, nor pressing from the Royals' front line, and it wasn't until 35 minutes had passed before the ball flashed across her penalty area - after a good bit of play from captain Bolitho and Bradley.

Half time: 3-0

If any team needed an early goal in the second half it was Reading, but Wycombe didn't read the script, forcing another save from Preisner (#goalkeepersunion), with Emani Kassem heading into the Royals goal from their third successive corner. 4-0.

There was a glimmer of hope when Reading won their first corner, 52 minutes into the match, but before too long it was Preisner back in action, pulling off another great double save at the near post.

Any further hopes were quickly dashed when Chairgirls number nine Potter finished coolly - a goal which was coming - with several earlier attempts to her name. 5-0.

On the hour mark Reading made two more changes, Brooke-Cousins coming on at left-back and Giles going up top (replacing Gajzler and Morl). That meant Bradley being pushed forward into a more threatening right-wing position.

Before Reading could get any hold on the match, Watkins - player of the match (and, I'm told, someone with a big TikTok following) - completed her hat-trick. The defence was carved open, allowing her to slot past the Reading 'keeper. 6-0.

With 10 minutes remaining, Reading enjoyed their best spell of the match, winning four more corners and forcing the Wanderers goalkeeper Amber Taylor into action. She tipped a shot from Maya Raghunandanan over the crossbar and made a near-post save from a Bradley strike, before Raghunandanan opened her account for the Royals, with a late consolation goal and a great bit of skill to round the 'keeper and tap into the goal. 6-1.

The final whistle was blown, a few minutes into time added on, after a bad injury to Brooke-Cousins left her receiving treatment on the pitch for some time. As fans left she was sitting up, so hopefully she's okay.

Full-time: 6-1

The defeat also meant Reading have now lost their 100% winning record when playing on a grass pitch - winning six matches on the turf, in all competitions - a good stat but not something you want to hear when the majority of the matches, including your home stadium, are played on a 3G surface.

With the bottom two teams, Selsey and Badshot Lea, both losing over the weekend, as things stand the Royals only need one more point (from their last four matches) to secure eighth place and guarantee safety from relegation.

They may not even need this if Badshot Lea fail to win both of their last two remaining matches of the season - which includes a trip to Arbour Park (for Badshot Lea's last match of the season) on April 6.

It's well within the control of Reading and maybe it can all be wrapped up next weekend, at 2pm on Sunday March 23, in another Berkshire derby, when the Royals take on Woodley United at University of Reading Bulmershe Pavilion.

So, once you've finished the Reading half marathon, get yourself over to Woodley. See you there!