KIRSTY LINNETT was the hero as Reading Women beat Everton Ladies on penalties to book their spot in the Continental Tyres Cup semi-finals.
Linnett has struggled for goals this season for the Royals, but she produced when it really mattered, coming off the bench to lash home from 25 yards.
After a goalless 90 minutes this strike in extra time looked like being enough, only for Everton to equalise in the 112th minute through Chloe Kelly.
The game moved to a shoot-out and while Lauren Bruton missed, with Brooke Chaplen, Mel Fletcher and Remi Allen all scoring and Grace Moloney saving two kicks from the hosts, all eyes turned to Linnett.
The striker stepped up and tucked home her spot kick to send Kelly Chambers’ side into the last four where they will play either Man City, Chelsea or Arsenal.
“I’m not afraid to come up against anyone,” said manager Chambers.
“We’ll embrace any challenge that’s thrown at us in the semi-final.”
But it was disappointment for READING’S men’s side as their five-game winning run was halted by a 2-0 loss at Ipswich Town.
First half goals from Callum Connolly and Joe Garner earned victory for the Tractor Boys.
Elsewhere, BINFIELD produced a fine display to earn a draw at runaway Hellenic Premier leaders Highworth Town.
The Worthians came into the game with 19 wins from their 22 league games, but they were frustrated by the Moles who picked up a 1-1 draw thanks to Brad Pagliaroli’s second-half goal.
Roger Herridge’s men face Highmoor-Ibis on Monday evening.
WOKINGHAM AND EMMBROOK are up to fourth in One East after seeing off Didcot Town Reserves 4-1.
The win makes it two from two for the Sumas with goals from George Marsh, James Charlton, Sam Lawrence and Elliott Rushforth.
EVERSLEY AND CALIFORNIA also got back to winning ways against Cove while FINCHAMPSTEAD won a seven-goal thriller against Westwood United Reserves.
On the rugby field, LONDON IRISH were dealt last-gasp heartbreak as they lost 26-20 to Stade Francais at Madejski Stadium.
The Exiles led going into the final minute thanks to a Scott Steele try, Greig Tonks’ penalties and a penalty try, but the French side struck late to steal victory.
INTERVIEW: Exclusive chat with Exiles player of the month Fergus Mulchrone
REDINGENSIANS RAMS swept aside Clifton 43-16 at Old Bath Road.
BRACKNELL BEES’ poor run continued with a 7-4 loss at Streatham.
RESULTS:
Saturday December 16
FOOTBALL –
Sky Bet Championship
Ipswich Town 2-0 Reading
Continental Tyres Cup
Everton Ladies 1-1 Reading Women (Reading win 4-3 on pens.)
Hellenic Premier Division
Highworth Town 1-1 Binfield
Hellenic Division One East
Didcot Town Reserves 1-4 Wokingham and Emmbrook
Combined Counties Division One
Eversley and California 3-0 Cove
Thames Valley Premier Division
Wokingham and Emmbrook Reserves 1-4 Westwood United
Woodley United Royals 1-2 Taplow United
Thames Valley Division One
Finchampstead 4-3 Westwood United Reserves
Hurst 2-0 Maidenhead Town
RUGBY –
European Challenge Cup
London Irish 20-26 Stade Français Paris
National League 2 South
Redingensians Rams 43-16 Clifton
South West Premier
Bracknell 17-17 Bournemouth
Berks, Bucks and Oxon Premier
Slough v Crowthorne (away walkover)
HOCKEY –
MBBO Regional 2
Marlow 2s P-P Sonning
West Hampstead 2s 1-1 South Berkshire
South Clubs’ Women’s Division 3A
Sonning Ladies P-P Eastcote Ladies
Trysports Premier 1
Oxford Ladies 3s P-P South Berkshire Ladies
ICE HOCKEY –
NIHL Division 1 South
Streatham 7-4 Bracknell Bees
Sunday December 17
FOOTBALL –
Jubilee Cup
Southampton Women’s Reserves P-P Wokingham and Emmbrook Ladies
Woodley United Ladies 5-0 Wargrave Ladies
