Manchester United have continued their push for UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification with a 3-1 victory over Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium this lunchtime.
Leah Galton netted a brace while Alessia Russo was also on target as Manchester United secured another huge three points.
Russo almost instantly rattled the Reading woodwork as the visitors came out flying in Berkshire. That proved to be a warning for the hosts with Galton heading home the opener from a Hannah Blundell cross four minutes later.
Reading levelled matters with their first major attack, Deanne Rose displayed excellent ball control before thumping her low effort into the corner of the Manchester United net.
The goals continued to flow and the visitors soon regained the lead when Galton rounded Reading keeper Grace Moloney to score.
Deanna Cooper then cleared a Martha Thomas effort off the line before a controversial moment occurred when Ona Batlle rifled the ball home off the bar but the goal wasn’t given. That decision soon corrected itself though with Manchester United profiting from the continuation of play, Russo curling a sublime shot into the far corner of the net from the edge of the box.
Reading almost pulled a goal back just before the break but Gemma Evans could only fire an effort against the bar as the first half ended 3-1 in the visitors’ favour.
The second half failed to reach the same level of excitement but there was still goalmouth action. Ella Toone struck an effort wide before Manchester United keeper Mary Earps twice denied Rose her brace.
Natasha Harding then headed an effort over the bar for the hosts before Earps denied Justine Vanhaevermaet.
In the end, Manchester United hung onto their two-goal advantage as they moved three points clear in third position in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table.