BROOKE CHAPLEN bagged a brace as Reading Women saw off Liverpool Ladies 3-0 at Madejski Stadium to stay third in the WSL 1 table.
The striker broke the deadlock in the fifth minute with a stunning long-range strike before sealing the win in the second half, netting from deep inside the penalty area.
And Reading added a third in the closing stages thanks to Lauren Bruton.
In truth it should have been more for the hosts with Chaplen hitting the crossbar in search of her hat-trick while Siobhan Chamberlain made two big saves.
Reading sit third with one game to play, just one point off a Champions League spot but second-placed Manchester City do have a game in hand.
Kelly Chambers made just one change from the side which beat Sunderland 2-0 last time out with suspended goalkeeper Mary Earps replaced by Grace Moloney while Liverpool were unchanged from their midweek win over Manchester City.
And the Royals got off to the perfect start. With just four minutes on the clock, Chaplen picked up the ball on the left and cut inside before unleashing an incredible strike into the top corner from 25 yards.
Liverpool settled into the game but all the chances were falling Reading’s way with Tash Harding denied a goal against her former club but a good low Siobhan Chamberlain save before Chaplen was also thwarted by the England goalkeeper.
The Reds had their first shot in anger midway through the half when Alex Greenwood tried to sneak one in at the near post, but Moloney tipped behind.
Reading were dealt a blow just before the break when Jade Moore was forced off with what looked like a knee injury. That meant a reshuffle as Becky Jane took her place, slotting in at right-back with Rachel Rowe moving into midfield.
And the Royals almost doubled their advantage 10 minutes after the restart. Jo Potter spotted the run of Chaplen and floated a ball over the defence for the striker, but with only
Chamberlain to beat she prodded off target.
However, the forward would not be denied her second goal later in the half. Following a spell of limited chances as the rain hammered down, Reading doubled their tally when Chaplen and defender Gemma Bonner both went for the ball and it flew in from inside the box.
Chaplen, who is now Reading’s top scorer this season with 11, should have sealed a hat-trick soon after, somehow heading against the crossbar from less than six yards.
But the third goal did duly arrive for the hosts as the busy Bruton raced through on goal, rounded Chamberlain and rolled into the empty net.
Reading round off their season at Birmingham next Sunday, knowing victory will secure a top four finish.
READING: Moloney; Rowe, Pearce (c), Potter, Harding; Furness; Moore (Jane 45), Allen; Williams; Bruton, Chaplen.
Subs not used: Kite, Scott, Green, Fletcher, Linnett.
Goals: Chaplen x2 (5,74), Bruton (81)
Yellow cards: Furness (68), Chaplen (83)
LIVERPOOL: Chamberlain; Murray, Bonner (c), Ingle, Harris; Longhurst (Turner 59); Charles (Clarke 59), Coombs, Weir, Greenwood; England.
Subs not used: Flaherty, Johnson, Rodgers, Babajide.
Referee: Lindsey Robinson
Attendance: 1,379
