ENGLAND international Jo Potter produced a brilliant display at centre-back as Reading Women deservedly drew 2-2 with Chelsea Ladies on Sunday.
Remi Allen put Reading ahead only for Karen Carney and Eni Aluko to turn the game around in the second half.
However, the Royals grabbed a 2-2 draw in stoppage time when Potter’s deep free-kick was headed into her own net by Magda Eriksson.
Potter had two different very different challenges to deal with in strikers Drew Spence and Fran Kirby, but she made the task look simple.
Elsewhere, Fara Williams again showed her class while Rachel Furness continues her fine recent form in midfield.
The forwards had a mixed game with a number of gilt-edge opportunities going begging while the full-backs struggled to deal with Chelsea’s tricky wingers.
Here are the ratings from Adams Park.
MARY EARPS: Huge early save to deny Fran Kirby and keep Reading level and could do little about either goal – 7
RACHEL ROWE: Tried to get forward but caught out a couple of times defensively with many of Chelsea’s attacks coming down the flanks – 5
KIRSTY PEARCE: Impressed particularly in the second half to keep Earps relatively untroubled – 7
JO POTTER: Superb first half display, marshalling both Kirby and Spence with ease and setting up attacks – 9* (star player)
HARRIET SCOTT: Struggled during the first half against a rampant Thorisdottir, giving the ball away on a number of occasions. Produced a vital sliding clearance in the second half – 5
MOLLY BARTRIP: Helped to shield the back four but game passed her by at times as Chelsea flooded forwards in the second half – 6
RACHEL FURNESS: Reading’s real driving force in midfield and continues to have a fine season – 8
REMI ALLEN: Scorer of the first goal against Chelsea in the league all season but should have scored at least one more – 7
FARA WILLIAMS: Classy on the ball and went close on a couple of occasions. Hit the post in the second half and provided assist for first goal – 8
LAUREN BRUTON: Busy in attack, making good runs but missed a golden opportunity to put Reading ahead – 6
BROOKE CHAPLEN: Struggled to get involved at times. Big shout for a penalty turned down and should have scored late on – 6
SUBS:
KIRSTY LINNETT (on 78): Introduced for final quarter of an hour with Reading chasing a goal but never came close to scoring – N/A
BECKY JANE (on 81): Added some energy down the right in the closing stages – N/A
MANDY VAN DEN BERG (on 88): Not enough time to make an impact – N/A
