Reading FC Women are back on the road tomorrow for their second game in the WSL1 Spring Series, after their very impressive 3-1 victory against Bristol on Saturday. This time they travel every-so-slightly further to take on Liverpool Ladies, up at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes.
Last season Reading were not at their best in their two matches against Liverpool, particularly away from home where they had a pretty miserable first half where nothing quite went to plan, ending in a 2-0 defeat. At home we had our moments but Liverpool again ran out winners by a single goal.
The Spring Series has started well for both clubs, with them both picking up pretty comfortable victories on the road against newly promoted opposition. We all know about our excellent 3-1 win at Brizzle, but Liverpool were also in goalscoring form as they defeated Yeovil 4-1, albeit whilst playing in Yeovil’s away kit as they had bizarrely forgotten to bring their own kit with them!
These 2 opening victories mean that it is official – Liverpool Ladies FC vs Reading Women FC is a TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH!! Potentially we might not say that often this season, so let’s relish that fact for a moment.
Still relishing.
Little bit more relishing.
And done.
So what can we expect from the game, if we were to look at life in a series of 3 dubious predictions? Let’s find out…
Rachel Furness To Have A Blinder
I stopped predicting things I expected to happen last season because they never actually happened once I had made the prediction. But with Lauren Bruton actually playing really well last week following my prediction I now feel it is safe for me to predict that Rachel Furness will have another worldy! She was outstanding against Bristol all over the park and was instrumental in most of the good things that Reading did. If she plays well again we definitely have a chance. She looks to be an awesome signing.
Reading To Have Their Hands Full With Harding, Clarke & Zelem
Tash Harding is quality as we all know (and also very pleasant as we discovered at our end of season awards night the season before last!) and had a good game against Yeovil. Katie Zelem stole the show from the bench though after coming on with an hour gone and scoring 2 goals within 15 minutes of her arrival, keeping her good goalscoring form going from last season. We also know how good Jess Clarke can be on her day, so with those 3 coming towards us it’s going to be a tough ask! We defended pretty well against Bristol but were a bit susceptible to balls in between the back 3 and the wing backs, so everyone will need to be at their best to keep these 3 at bay!
Goals!
With the two sides netting 7 times between them in their opening game of the season we know that both have the attacking threats to cause the opposition concern. However, with all due respect to Bristol and Yeovil, chances are likely to be at more of a premium up in Widnes! Let’s hope for goals though, with at least one more of them nestling in the Liverpool goal than in the Reading one! I’m going for Bruton and Fletcher to get the goals and a 2-1 victory.
After a really positive start let’s hope we can keep on the front foot and build some momentum. If Leicester could do it last season why can’t we?! The game starts at 7pm on Friday 28th April up at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes, with tickets starting from £2.50, so there’s no reason not to go.
Apart from the 200 miles through rush hour.
And work.
