Report: Reading Women 1-1 Bristol City Women.

What happened? 

The first chance of the game fell to the hosts as Carter latched onto Williams’ through ball with eight minutes on the clock, but as the veteran striker looked to pull the trigger, Evans put in a perfectly-timed challenge to take the ball away from the centre forward. 

City then had a chance to go in front as Wellings drove into the Reading box, but she miscued her cross to the waiting Salmon and could only find the side-netting. 

Following City’s chance it would the Royals’ turn to make some of their own, however they were met by an inspired Baggaley between the sticks for City. 

She made three top draw saves in the space of ten minutes to keep her side in it. 

First, she denied Fishlock's curling effort, then she tipped Eikeland’s rocket of a shot over the bar. 

Baggaley saved the best to last as Harding raced through on goal, fired her shot on target only for Baggaley to tip the ball onto the bar. 

The game began to open up towards the end of the first half as Salmon almost went through on goal, only to be denied by good defending from Cooper. Immediately after at the other end, Baggaley was on hand to deny Carter in a one on one.

Salmon then went close as she saw her shot from a tight angle flash past the far post, but then the decisive moment in the first half came. 

Baggaley turned away another effort from Fishlock, which started a swift counter-attacking move. Salmon and Wellings combined to send the latter sprinting into the Reading box, she showed great composure to calmly pick out Bissell at the far post, who tucked home to give City the lead. 

Following the half-time break, Reading hit back. Confusion in the box allowed the ball to drop to Williams in the six-yard area and she made no mistake in firing the ball home to bring the home side level. 

The City shot-stopper continued her fine form in the second half as she stopped Carter in another one on one scenario. This time standing tall and saving with her feet. 

Both sides traded blows as they went in search of a winner as Harding dragged a chance wide and Salmon twice firing over the bar late on. 

Wellings and Harrison also went close during injury time but the Robins couldn’t force a winner, however they left the Madejski with a valuable point. 

Teams:

Bristol City Women: Baggaley, Purfield, Evans, Layzell, Allen, Daniels, Mastrantonio, Humphrey, Bissell (Harrison 54’), Wellings, Salmon

Subs: Haaland, Bryson, Rafferty, Collis, Wilson, Harrison, Jones

Reading Women: Moloney, Leine, Cooper, Bartrip, Woodham, Williams, Fishlock, James, Eikeland (Bruton 45’), Harding, Carter

Subs: Naylor, Roberts, Childerhouse, Harries

Key Moment: Emma Bissell

Following a backs to the wall performance in the first half City needed to find a breakthrough and in the forty-third minute they did just that. 

Baggaley denied Fishlock with a fine save before Purfield hooked the ball clear to Wellings. She then played a neat one-two with Salmon to race into the Reading area and cooly pick out Bissell, who slid the ball home. 

The goal ensured City left the Madejski with at least a point. 

Counterpunch.

Player of the Match: Sophie Baggaley

Where to start? The City shot-stopper was in inspired form this afternoon making a grand total of 13 save across the ninety minutes to keep her side in the game. 

It was a commanding performance, which had all types of save showing that when Baggaley is at her best she is one of the top ‘keepers in the league. 

Reaction saves, outstretched legs and multiple one versus one chance denied by the imperious Baggaley. 

Brick wall.