READING FC WOMEN were dealt a heavy defeat in the opening game of the 2022/23 Women’s Super League season away at Manchester United.
It was a blistering first-half display from United which saw them race into a four goal lead with a double from Maya Le Tissier and goals from Katie Zelem and Alessia Russo.
With a damage limitation task on their hands in the second-half, the Royals kept the score down with an improved display after the break.
Opening their Women’s Super League campaign at Leigh Sports Village in a tough fixture against Manchester United, Kelly Chambers handed out two debuts.
New signings Lauren Wade and Charlie Wellings were named in the starting line-up, while Emma Mukandi returned for the first time since maternity leave to captain the side.
Well aware they’d be facing a tricky test against a side that are expected to push for the Champions League places, Reading’s task got even trickier when they conceded inside the opening four minutes.
After Wade managed to prevent Ona Battle from breaking into the box and put behind for a corner, United took advantage of the first set piece of the match to open the scoring.
United debutante Maya Le Tissier was first to meet Katie Zelem’s corner and her volley looped up over the head of Grace Moloney to find the back of the net.
Reading got forward through Deanne Rose on the right wing and had a huge shout for a penalty turned down when the Canadian international’s cross appeared to strike the arm of a defender, but the referee waved play on.
The Royals had another half chance when Wade burst forward on the left and fired a cross into the middle that was slightly too overhit to find Wellings.
United were awarded a slightly dubious penalty in the 14th minute when Moloney tried to steal the ball from Alessia Russo and the referee judged that the goalkeeper didn’t get the ball and instead fouled the Lionesses striker.
Zelem stepped up to the spot and placed the ball past Moloney, despite the Reading keeper guessing the correct side.
Reading’s afternoon went from bad to worse when Rose had to be subsistuted off with an injury and was replaced by Natasha Dowie.
The hosts made Reading pay once again from a corner when they added a third of the afternoon. The Royals failed to pick up Le Tissier again as she was left unmarked and took full advantage by nodding past Moloney.
Mark Skinner’s side extended their advantage to put them in a commanding position before the break when Ona Battle made another venturing run down the right and the move was finished off by Russo at the near post.
United could have made it five before half-time had it not been for a crucial save from Moloney who dived down low to keep out Lucia Garcia.
The second-half started in similar style to the first with United relentlessly pushing forward in hope of adding to the score.
Deanne Cooper slid in to make a last ditch tackle on Leah Galton and the rebound fell invitingly for Russo in the air, but she missed the target with the goal gaping.
Cooper again got her body in the way when Ella Toone was presented with a shooting chance 12 yards from goal.
Chambers made a switch on the hour mark when Sanne Troeslgaard was replaced by Tia Primmer.
The Red Devils kept searching to find a fifth and came close when the ball found its way to the back post for substitute Nikita Parris who headed off target.
Reading managed to hold off the United attack to keep a second-half clean sheet after the damage had already been inflicted in the first 35 minutes of the match.
Reading are back in action next Sunday away at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Manchester United: Earps, Battle, Blundell, Le Tissier, Garcia, Turner, Galton, Ladd, Zelem (c), Toone, Russo
Subs: Baggaley, Thorisdottir, Tounkara, Boe Risa, Moore, Staniforth, Leon, Parris, Thomas
Reading: Moloney, Mukandi (c), Evans, Cooper, Woodham, Wade, Troelsgaard, Rowe, Eikeland, Rose, Wellings
Subs: Burns, Poulter, Dowie, Caldwell, Primmer, Meadows, Tuson, Perry
Goals: Le Tissier 4’, 25, Zelem 14’ (pen), Russo 35’
