“WE’RE NOT relying on anybody but ourselves.”
That was the message from Reading Women captain Kirsty McGee as her side remained in danger of relegation from FA WSL 1 after a 3-0 defeat to champions Chelsea.
Royals went into half-time level but were undone by a Katie Chapman header from a Karen Carney free kick eight minutes after the restart.
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The hosts responded well but struggled to test goalkeeper Becky Spencer and Chelsea netted twice in stoppage time to seal the win through Gemma Davison and Ana Borges.
“It was tough,” McGee told The Wokingham Paper.
“We knew it was going to be tough.
“We stuck to our gameplan and we’ve been unstuck by a set piece and we’re really disappointed.
“We knew if we sat in and made it difficult for them, like we have in previous games, that they would find it difficult.”
She added: “We know we have to be more clinical in front of goal.
“We’re creating chances but then again we have to take them.
“The main thing is to stay in the league and we’ve got another three games to do that.”
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With three games to go, Reading sit second bottom of the table six points clear of Doncaster Belles, who they still have to play twice.
And while Royals could conceivably avoid relegation without winning a game, McGee is not focussing on anyone but her own side.
“The main games are going to be Doncaster,” admitted the skipper.
“If we perform like we did against Chelsea, there’s nothing to be worried about.
“We’re not relying on anybody but ourselves.
“We know we’re good enough to beat Doncaster.
“We know we’re good enough to beat other teams and it’s just about turning up on the day and doing that.”
After the game Chelsea boss Emma Hayes took the time to come over and speak to the Reading players, congratulating them on their display.
“There was a lot of praise,” said McGee.
“It was just chat from her just to say us to keep believing and that we made it really difficult for her team.
“It was just a little bit of respect that she’s shown us but everything she said we’ll take on board.
“That’s very nice of her to do that and hopefully the girls listen to what she said.”
