LAUREN BRUTON is hoping Reading can follow the example set by Sunderland after securing promotion to WSL 1.
Newly promoted Black Cats have taken the top flight by storm this season, in the thick of the title race until the last few weeks and boasting the top scorer in the league in Beth Mead.
And after beating Watford 3-1 at Berkhamstead in Sunday’s early kick-off, Royals will join them next year thanks to third placed Yeovil Town failing to beat Oxford United, which would have kept their promotion hopes alive and made Reading wait.
But after losing 1-0, Royals top flight dreams were realised with a top two finish secured with three games still to play.
And vice captain Bruton admits the achievement caught the team by surprise.
She told The Wokingham Paper: “I have been saying for the last couple of days that it still hasn’t sunk in!
“We didn’t really expect it on Sunday. We went into the game, we knew we had to win every single game up until the end of the season and when we realised we got promoted we were all together so it was a nice celebration at the end.”
Many feared this day may not come after losing star striker Fran Kirby during the season, having scored 11 goals in five games, but two players among the goals in recent weeks set Kelly Chambers’ side on their way at Watford.
Melissa Fletcher broke the deadlock on 16 minutes with a sweetly struck volley before fellow Wales international Helen Ward rounded goalkeeper Shayla Burgess to fire in shortly after the restart.
Despite dominating possession, Reading were made to work for the win after the Lady Hornets netted from the spot through Ellie Mason, after the striker was felled in the box by goalkeeper Grace Moloney.
But Royals rallied, sealing victory through Rachel Rowe’s fine long range effort.
Bruton, 22, spent time in the top flight of the Women’s Super League during her time at Arsenal but made the decision to join Reading two years ago and is now relishing the chance to compete against the top sides every week again.
“That is the reason why I play football,” she said.
“I was at Arsenal for a number of years, pushing on trying to get into the starting 11, but due to injury it didn’t happen and I’ve moved on and now I’ve got a load of games under my belt.
“Playing the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal in the Continental Cup really helped us and for me personally, I can’t wait to get started next season, hopefully again being a regular.
“We know next year is not going to be easy and from now pushing on until next March we need to work hard as a group, get a couple more players in and hopefully next season we can make teams fear us like Sunderland have done when they’ve gone up.”
Doncaster Rovers Belles remain top of the table by three points having played a game more than Reading and while the win over Watford secured promotion, Bruton insists the squad remains fully focused on finishing the season with the WSL 2 title.
She said: “Now we’ve got promoted it was such a great feeling but we are in the driving seat to win the league and it would be a great way to end the season with the trophy.
“We’ve got three games left and we just need to win every single game and that’s what we’re aiming to do now.”
First up is Millwall Lionesses this Sunday at The Den (2pm) and Bruton, who is hoping to get a start after playing 45 minutes on her return from injury against Watford, knows how tough the test will be.
She continued: “We’re on a good run at the moment but I know Millwall, especially going away to Millwall, is obviously going to be a difficult game and they will put us under pressure.
“Hopefully our run can continue and fingers crossed we can get the win.”
Reading: Moloney; Jane, McGee, Davies, Scott; Walkley (Watts 68), Roche; Bragg (Jones 76), Rowe, Ward; Fletcher (Bruton 45).
Goals: Fletcher (15), Ward (51), Rowe (80).
Attendance: 261
