Reading Women slumped to a 5-0 defeat for the second successive week when they visited Canterbury on Saturday.

But the side, under new coach Mike Irving, gave an improved performance compared to the previous game against University of Birmingham and looked marginally the better of the two teams for a time in the second half.

However, they lacked the clinical finishing shown by Canterbury.

“There were plenty of positives to take out of the game. The players showed plenty of energy and the score-line was a bit harsh on them,” said Irving. "Performances from the young players was encouraging."

Reading welcomed back two of their England players, Susie Gilbert and Helen Richardson-Walsh, while New Zealand under-21 defender Belinda Smith made a promising debut, having arrived in the country last Wednesday.

The hosts went 3-0 up before half-time with goals by Jen Wilson, from a 15th-minute penalty corner, and 16-year-old Anna Kolarova in the 23rd and 32nd minutes.

Kirsten Greaves added a fourth on 45 minutes with England international Susannah Townsend completing a rather flattering score-line for Canterbury from a penalty corner three minutes from time.

Reading are away to East Grinstead on Saturday (12.30pm) when England skipper Kate Richardson-Walsh is set to make her first appearance of the season providing she has shrugged off a back problem.

New Zealander Georgie Blackwood is due to return to Sonning Lane next week.