Now that the mid season break is well and truly over in WSL1 we are finally seeing some blue and white hooped action at Adam’s Park again – and, a bit like waiting for a particularly slow and bizarrely unpredictable bus, after months of waiting, 3 home games have arrived in a row!
After last Sunday’s 1-1 home draw against Birmingham that we really should have gone on to win, this Sunday sees us take on the legendary Notts County Ladies, fresh from their 5-1 trouncing at the hands of Manchester City last week.
So here are three things you can expect from Sunday’s game if you decide to pop along to Adam’s Park:
A Decent Smattering of Lionesses & Dragons
The Lady Pies have a fair few England internationals in their ranks, all but one of which are likely to feature on Sunday. Both Jess Clark and Ellen White have been in good form this season having netted 5 and 6 goals respectively. New midfield signings Jade Moore and Jo Potter are both top quality internationals as is the very experienced Laura Bassett at centre back and Carly Telford in goal, although Carly is still out following a nasty ankle injury.
Emma Follis flying down the wing with colourfully taped legs
So far this season she has scored a lovely goal against Arsenal, dribbled / jogged past a plethora of full-backs and put in some quality crosses, most recently to set up Melissa Fletcher’s headed goal against Birmingham.
Even if her performance doesn’t wow you on Sunday her exotic collection of leg taping will!
A very close match that could go either way – but may well end in another draw!
Reading have been the one point specialists so far this season. Last year in WSL2 they couldn’t help winning, even when they didn’t play that well.
By comparison, however well we’ve played this season it always seems to end up in a draw, with all of our 5 points so far coming one at a time! Our defensive record has been pretty decent, conceding an average of 1.5 goals per game, but it’s been more of a struggle going forwards with only 7 goals scored in 8 games! In fact, Laura Bassett is our second highest goalscorer in WSL1 this season after her powerfully headed own goal against us at Meadow Lane in April!!
With a 2-2 draw the last time the two sides met in a very entertaining match, hopefully whatever the outcome on Sunday it will be full of passion and excitement. If Reading really go for it they can definitely get their first 3 points of the season, but Notts County have strengthened their team well in recent weeks and despite the absence of Carly Telford will be a very tough nut pie to crack! It all kicks off at 2pm, with adult tickets at £6 on the gate, concessions at £3 and parking £2.
Match details:
Reading FC Women v Notts County Ladies: Sunday 31st July 2016, kick-off 2pm at Adam’s Park – Wycombe.
Main image: Emma Follis pictured by Neil Graham
