NOONECHRONICLESTHEACTIONBETTERTHANUS TAKE POINT FROM LEADERS ROYALS HOST TOFFEES IN TRICKY RELEGATION BATTLE

READING FC WOMEN return to action this weekend in desperate need of points to try and secure their Women’s Super League status when they play Everton.

The Royals welcome the Toffees to the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Sunday in the midst of a tense fight to stay in the league.

Kelly Chambers’ side suffered a costly defeat prior to the international break at the hands of relegation rivals Leicester City.

Carrie Jones netted a dramatic 96th minute winner for the Foxes to see them move within a point of Reading with five games to go.

Reading are in 10th on 11 points and are just two points above bottom side Brighton who have two games in hand.

Reading’s status in the top flight is in serious danger after they have managed to pick up just three wins and two draws from 17 league outings this campaign.

Meanwhile, Everton have enjoyed a relatively steady campaign and sit smack bang in the middle of the table.

Seven wins, three draws and six defeats means that the Merseysiders are far away from any relegation danger, but too far away to make a push for the top four.

Brian Sorensen’s team have picked up three draws, a win and a defeat from their last five games.

but he skewed his shot just wide of Lumley’s far post.

The half came to a close with the Royals’ fans in attendance showing their support for the players after a hard fought opening half to keep it goalless.

The second-half restarted with the away side still expectedly in the ascendancy when Gudmundsson curled a shot on his left from distance that landed just wide.

The Royals won three corners in quick succession to put some pressure on their opponents and ignite the home crowd despite not being able to convert.

With just over an hour gone,

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Ehibhatiomhan made way for Andy Carroll who entered to partner Lucas Joao up top.

Taylor was next to try and break the deadlock when he unleashed a powerful shot from 25 yards that flew past Lumley’s post.

Another switch from Hunt saw Kelvin Abrefa take the place of Tyrese Fornah for the final 25 minutes.

Hunt continued to put his faith in youth as Mamadi Camara and Amadou Mbengue replaced Azeez and Guinness-Walker.

Benson showed pace and technique on the right to breeze past Nesta Guinness-Walker, but was unable to pick out a teammate with his final ball.

Reading then broke down the other end after some superb close control from Joao who teed up Azeez who was shutdown by Burnley in the box. Abrefa had a chance to deliver with plenty of bodies waiting in the box, but he put far too much on his cross which floated out for a goal kick.

Despite having to soak up plenty of pressure throughout the final 20 minutes and a tense period of added time at the end, Reading held firm and managed to claim a hard earned point.

FIGHT TO AVOID DROP CONTINUES AT PLAY-OFF PUSHERS

READING FC are still searching for their first away win of the calendar year and will be hoping to pick it up at Coventry City this weekend.

In the midst of a relegation battle, the Royals’ dreadful away form, coupled with a six point deduction, has seen them get dragged into a relegation scrap.

Reading’s last away success came prior to the World Cup break in November when they notched a last minute winner at Hull City.

Since then, points on the road have been scarce and ultimately cost Paul Ince his position as manager as he was replaced by interim manager Noel Hunt last week.

Hunt picked up a point against Championship leaders Burnley in his first outing as boss before Reading’s midweek clash against Luton Town last night, after we had gone to press (match report online at rdg.today).

Reading’s opponents are vying for a place in the top six to try and qualify for the play-offs.

Mark Robins’ side had a torrid start to their campaign, but have gone from strength to strength to make a push for promotion.

Before the round of midweek fixtures, the Sky Blues were in seventh position, just one place and one point outside the top six.

City got back to winning ways at the weekend after two consecutive draws with a Viktor Gyokeres double and a Gustavo Hamer goal helping them to a 3-0 win at struggling QPR.

Gyokerers has proved to be Coventry’s key man throughout the season and has netted 20 goals and registered nine assists in 42 games, making him the second highest scorer in the division.

Reading picked up three points when they welcomed Coventry to the Select Car Leasing Stadium in December.

Amadou Mbengue scored the only goal of the game to see the Royals maintain their strong home form.

On their last trip to the Coventry Building Society Arena in August 2021, Reading lost 2-1 after Matt Godden scored deep into injury time in the 98th minute to give the hosts a win.

Their most recent match saw them come out on top against Tottenham with a goal at the death from Aggie Beaver-Jones to seal a 2-1 win.

When the team’s met in January, Everton collected the points with a 3-2 victory.

Everton raced into a two goal lead with strikes from Katja Soejis and Jess Park before the Royals came fighting back with a goal from Justine Vanhaevermaet.

But Reading’s joy was short lived as the home team restored their two-goal advantage just a minute later through Gabrielle George and were left pointless despite a goal from Deanna Cooper to make it 3-2 with 20 minutes left to play.