Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.35 2022-23

Reading FC Women 0 Chelsea 3
The final day of the Barclays FAWSL season saw a match of extreme emotions at the
Select Cars Leasing stadium as Chelsea clinched their fourth successive title with a 3-0
victory, a result which also confirmed the end of Reading's eight-year tenure in the top
flight.
Results elsewhere condemned the Royals to relegation even if they had won but the
final whistle saw the joy and despair of sport etched into every face.
Chelsea went into the game requiring a win in order to be confirmed as Champions,
whilst a draw would still leave them in the driving seat when Manchester United then
needing to win by at least five goals at Liverpool in order to overhaul them.
Sam Kerr had missed a 13th minute chance, firing Eve Perisset's right wing cross over
on the stretch but made no mistake four minutes later, heading home Guro Reiten's
inviting left wing cross for the Chelsea opener. Justine Vanhaevermaet placed a header
just wide in Reading's best moment on 20 minutes but the majority of play was in and
around Reading's penalty area.
Keeper Grace Moloney made two fine saves, tipping an Erin Cuthbert shot onto the
bar and turning away a Lauren James header and the Royals battled fiercely to stay in the
game. Crucially, however, a defensive lapse let in Reiten for a soft second goal on 41
minutes to undo much of the good work.
Chelsea resumed in similar fashion on the restart, although Reading did force a
couple of early corners to give their fans some hope. The excellent work of Reiten always
threatened to create further chances and , whilst both teams rang the changes, it was
fairly comfortable for the Champions elect.
A momentary lapse by keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, miscontrolling a back pass on 85
minutes gave the hosts a sight of goal but the German reacted well to reclaim the ball. A
minute later, substitute Jelena Cankovic set Kerr free and she notched her second, albeit
at the second attempt after a first shot rebounded kindly for her off the upright.
Chelsea thus completed the 'double' of FA Cup and WSL and were able to justifiably
celebrate a fine season with a large contingent of fans who had made the short journey to
Berkshire. It was also, however, a sad day for the home players and especially for the
Reading manager, Kelly Chambers whose fantastic 20-year anniversary of service at the
club was honoured prior to kick off. Just as with Liverpool and now Bristol City,
relegation can hopefully lead to regrouping and bouncing back.
Reading FC Women: Grace Moloney, Easther Mayi Kith, Emma Mukandi, Deanna
Cooper, Gemma Evans, Brooke Hendrix, Deanne Rose, Jade Moore, Amalie Eikeland,
Justine Vanhaevermaet, Emma Harries. Subs: Charlie Wellings, Madison Perry, Tia
Primmer, Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen, Lauren Wade, Diane Caldwell, Tinaya
Alexander, Hannah Poulter.
Chelsea: Ann-Katrin Berger, Eve Perisset, Niamh Charles, Sophie Ingle, Magdalena
Eriksson, Maren Mjelde, Erin Cuthbert, Pernille Harder, Sam Kerr, Lauren James,
Guro Reiten. Subs: Jess Carter, Melanie Leupolz, Jessie Fleming, Johanna Rytting
Kaneryd, Jelena Cankovic, Zecira Musovic, Katerina Svitkova, Kadeisha Buchanan,
Alsu Abdullina.

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