Fara Williams bagged a hat-trick as Reading Women got their 2018/19 campaign off to the perfect start with a comfortable 4-1 win over Durham in the Continental Tyres Cup.
The Royals compete in a league above this afternoon’s visitors and their class showed with a first half Williams brace and Kirsty Pearce’s strike putting them 3-0 up at the break.
Beth Hepple pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after the restart before Williams completed her hat-trick with a stunning strike late on as Reading eased to the win ahead of next Saturday’s second group stage clash against newly-formed Manchester United.
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Kelly Chambers handed debuts to new signings Gemma Davison and Sophie Howard while goalkeeper Rachael Laws was among the substitutes.
The Royals almost got off to the worst possible start as Durham threatened a shock opener when Zoe Ness broke through in the second minute, but Grace Moloney made the save.
And the deadlock was soon broken at the other end when a free-kick fell nicely at the feet of captain Pearce to slam into the top corner to score Reading’s first goal of the campaign.
The visitors came with a physical approach with numerous fouls during the early stages, but the Royals doubled their tally on 13 minutes. After Davison had been denied a debut goal by goalkeeper Hannah Reid, the attack was kept alive and crossed to Williams on the edge of the box, who brilliantly volleyed into the bottom corner.
And the tie was well and truly put to bed 10 minutes later through Williams again, left-footed inside the area to put Reading in cruise control.
Brooke Chaplen found the net before the break, but was denied by an offside flag while Durham did carry some threat with Moloney alert to thwart Ness.
The visitors started the second period well and almost grabbed a goal back in fortuitous circumstances when Abi Cottam’s cross hit the crossbar.
Reading were soon back on the front foot with Williams seeking her hat-trick with a shot from distance, but Reid was equal to the task.
There was one negative to the afternoon when Lauren Bruton was forced off injured midway through the second half.
But that did not halt the flow of the hosts, who almost grabbed a fourth when Chaplen’s cross from the left was turned towards her own goal by Lauren Briggs, but Reid made the stop.
At the other end Grace Moloney would have had her heart in her mouth after handling outside the box as she brought down Ness through on goal, but referee Alex Rayment only brandished the yellow card.
However, Durham did soon get on the score-sheet. Molly Bartrip was deemed to have tripped Cottam just inside the box, allowing Hepple to step up and slot neatly into the bottom corner.
But the Royals responded almost instantly as Williams completed her hat-trick, smashing into the top corner from 25 yards to give Reid no chance.
And Williams also had a fourth before the afternoon was done, racing beyond the defender but firing straight at the goalkeeper.
Chambers’ charges saw out the closing stages with ease to ensure their season got off to the perfect start with victory.
READING: Moloney; Bartrip, Pearce (c), Potter, Harding; Howard, Rowe; Bruton (Jane 69), Williams, Chaplen; Davison.
Subs not used: Laws, Woodham, Skeels.
Goals: Pearce (6), Williams x3 (13,24,81)
Yellow card: Moloney (77)
DURHAM: Reid; Hill, Wilson (c), Salicki, Holmes (Christon 60); Gears, Lee, Robson (Briggs 63), Cottram; Hepple; Ness.
Subs not used: Roberts, Knott.
Goal: Hepple (pen) (80)
Yellow card: Lee (16)
Referee: Alex Rayment
Attendance: 246
