Charlton Athletic held 10-player Reading to a goalless draw in their second Barclays Women’s Championship fixture of the new season at the Select Car Leasing Stadium this evening.
The two sides battled hard in Berkshire but neither could find a breakthrough. Reading played the majority of the second half with 10 players following Sanne Troelsgaard Nielsen’s dismissal for an off-the-ball altercation.
It was a cagey start at the Select Car Leasing Stadium with both teams taking time to settle into the game. After no clear-cut chances on goal in the opening 15 minutes, the visitors came alive when Karin Muya made a darting run down the right and cut the ball back across goal for a waiting Melissa Johnson on the edge of the box. Johnson’s shot forced a simple save from Emily Orman in the Reading goal.
Liam Gilbert’s Royals struggled to find a way through Charlton Athletic’s back-line in the first half. Summer signing Elisha N’Dow made a couple of decisive challenges to prevent Reading from breaking through. The home side’s frustrations manifested with captain Lily Woodham and Tia Primmer being shown yellow cards just before half-time.
Both teams came out fighting in the second half and Reading’s Troelsgaard soon overstepped the mark. She was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident just four minutes into the half.
Charlton Athletic looked to take advantage and their high press made it difficult at times for Reading to get the ball out of their own back-line. The Royals did enjoy some good spells in possession, but the visitors continued to pile on the pressure.
With a little over 20 minutes to go, Carla Humphrey’s corner found the head of Kiera Skeels, then Kate Longhurst, who flicked the ball just wide of the post. The Addicks went close again shortly after with Humphrey the creator. The midfielder played a long ball which found Kayleigh Green but she directed her effort narrowly over the bar.
The hosts continued to be on the receiving end of one-way traffic and Charlton Athletic hit the woodwork late on. Freda Ayisi beat Rachel Dugdale down the right, before squaring the ball back into Humphrey. Her low shot beat Orman but the ball pinged off the outside of the upright.
Deep in second half stoppage time, Reading had a chance to claim all three points. Charlie Estcourt took aim from the edge of the penalty area and forced a low, diving save from Sian Rogers who ensured a share of the spoils for the visitors.
Reading travel to Princes Park to face London City Lionesses next weekend, while Charlton Athletic play host to Watford at The Valley.
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