READING WOMEN are still searching for their first WSL 1 victory after a drab 0-0 draw at Birmingham City Ladies.
Royals had the better of the first half with Emma Follis going close but the Blues stepped up after the break with Freda Ayisi almost nicking the winner.
While it will undoubtedly be a concern to have still not won, the fact Royals picked up another point and clean sheet ensures there are positives to take going into the mid-season break.
Kelly Chambers made two changes to her side which drew against Sunderland last time out with birthday girl Laura-May Walkley and Melissa Fletcher starting in place of Lauren Bruton and Helen Ward, who pulled out late on through illness.
Both sides struggled to get to grips with the ball early on with Jo Potter’s shouts for the penalty after going down under the challenge of Mary Earps the only action of note during the early stages.
But, as the half wore on, Reading began to look like the side more likely to take the lead with Follis going closest, volleying on target after connecting with Kayleigh Hines’ lofted pass.
Clearly unhappy with their first half display, top three-chasing Birmingham made a double switch at the break, bringing on star names Remi Allen and England international Jade Moore.
The changes seemed to have an immediate impact as the hosts broke towards the Reading goal, albeit without severely testing Earps.
Ayisi was looking the most like breaking the deadlock up front for the Blues but saw a close range effort saved before also heading wide.
Royals tried to change the momentum from the bench, introducing Bruton and also Harriet Scott for her WSL 1 debut in place of Walkley and the injured Fletcher.
Birmingham had a late penalty appeal when Allen went down in stoppage time from Rachel Rowe’s challenge before Moore flashed wide.
Reading, who sit seventh in the table on four points having only lost to Arsenal so far, are not back in action now until they host Arsenal again, this time in the Continental Tyres Cup in July.
And speaking after the game, Chambers admitted she was pleased with the point.
She said: “We were a bit slow out of the blocks but we could’ve easily crumbled in the last 15 minutes when Birmingham put the pressure on.
“We’ve had a tough start to the season, we’ve played two games in one week and three games in another week.
“Emma Follis was brilliant in the first half. We created opportunities and even in last couple of minutes we had some one on ones, it’s just time to put them away now.”
READING: Earps; Jane, McGee (Davies 76), Bartrip, Cox; Hines, Rowe, Walkley (Bruton 59); Stobbs, Follis, Fletcher (Scott 72).
Subs not used: Moloney, Estcourt, Jones, Ward.
Yellow card: Hines (89)
BIRMINGHAM: Baggaley, Carter, Harrop, Ayisi, Potter, Stringer (Brazil 79), Lawley, Wellings (Allen 45), Peplow (Moore 45), Westwood, Mannion.
Subs not used: Scofield, Edwards, Brown, Johnson.
Attendance: 395
