Reading FC Women welcomed West Ham United Women to the Select Car Leasing Stadium as they played host to the Fifth Round Proper of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.
Just moments into the game and Amalie Eikeland was brought down near the 18 yard box, Faye Bryson stepped up with a shot directly at goal and whilst it evaded the defenders, it. was easily collected by the West Ham goalkeeper, Mackenzie Arnold.
Neither side look especially convincing in possession the first twenty with some poor spells but Reading burst into action when Emma Harries floated a ball into the box and and it was met by Amalie Eikeland who tried to head home before it rebounded off the post. Reading looked be settling into the game better than the visitors and some slick play from Harries once again as she left the ball for a striding Bryson on the right. whose cross was met on the volley by Deanne Rose, but she too struggled to convert as it fired just shy of the crossbar.
West Ham were able to catch Reading on the counter at times and a central run allowed Lisa Evans to attempt to head home but a sterling effort from Rhiannon Stewart, in the Reading goal, denied them the chance to go 1 up.
It wasn’t long before Reading were back in front of goal and with that Arnold came flying outside the area to catch the ball.
HT: Reading 0-0 West Ham
Reading were out the blocks from the moment the whistle blew for the second half as a long throw from Lily Woodham was met by the boot of Tash Dowie, but too much pace on the attempt saw it skied over the bar.
The chances came thick and fast for Reading but nothing looked to stick as Deanna Cooper attempted a strike from 25 yards out before a pacey passage of play from Cooper, Deanne Rose and Woodham ensued but against met by the sharp hands of Arnold. Visible frustration from captain Tash Harding as she met the set-piece of Bryson with her head and it was once again collected by the keeper.
West Ham had much of the ball for the final ten but some brilliant diving saves from Stewart continued to keep them out.
FT: Reading 0-0 West Ham
Into extra time and pressure from both sides ensued before West Ham were able to break the deadlock in the 105th from the corner. Reading were unable to clear the initial ball as it fell to the feet of Yui Hasegawa whose deflected attempt ended up in the path of Dagny Brynjarsdottir waiting at the back post and she was able to slice the winning goal home.
AET: Reading 0-1 West Ham
Reading exit the Fifth Round Proper of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup at the mercy of West Ham once again. They are next in action when they face league leaders Arsenal at Meadow Park in their rearranged WSL fixture on Wednesday 2nd of February.
