Reading manager Liam Gilbert admitted that he was frustrated with the goals that his side conceded in their 2-1 defeat to London City Lionesses at The Select Car Leasing Stadium on Sunday.
The Royals went into this weekend’s fixture off the back of a home victory against top-of-the-table Sunderland and they took the lead in first half injury time as captain Brooke Hendrix headed home from a Lauren Wade free-kick. However, after the break, London City Lionesses turned the game on its head. First, Paige Satchell drove a low, powerful strike past Reading keeper Emily Orman and shortly after, Emma Mukandi fired a 35-yard shot into the top corner of the net.
Speaking to WSL Full-Time after the match, Reading boss Gilbert admitted that he was frustrated with the goals that his side conceded.
“It was frustrating to be in the position we were in, to then give up two goals,” Gilbert said.
“I feel especially for the first goal, to come from a corner and not clear our lines is disappointing. Then for the second, of course, it’s a great strike, but we’ve allowed far too much time and space for them to simply play through us, and that was the theme of the entire game.”
Gilbert put out an unchanged team from the one that beat Sunderland with former academy stars Charlie Estcourt and Bethan Roberts retaining their spots in the starting XI. The club recently announced the launch of the Professional Game Academy (PGA) which could see more academy players feature for the first team. Gilbert highlighted the importance of academy graduates getting the chance to be involved in the first team in the future.
He said “Obviously, even more recently than those two coming through, you’ve had Madi [Madison Perry], Mae [Hunt] and players like that, Millie [Elwood]. We’ve got a really good path line, really good academy, we just want to make sure we give them the opportunities. As long as they’re good enough, it doesn’t matter about their age.”
Reading are back in action on Sunday when they travel to The Oakwood to face Charlton Athletic.
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