READING FC Women clinched their third successive win and clean sheet in Women’s Super League 1 with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Liverpool Ladies at Madejski Stadium.

A brace from Brooke Chaplen and a goal for Lauren Bruton saw Royals climb back to third in the table yesterday afternoon.

A crowd of just under 1,400 witnessed the impressive win that almost guarantees Reading a top-four finish with a game to spare.

Kelly Chambers’ Royals are now three points ahead of the fifth-placed Reds with an 18-goal advantage in goal difference, and just one point behind second-placed Manchester City.

Two-goal Chaplen said: "It was a scrappy game and we didn’t play as well as we're capable of, but some games are like that and you've just got to ride the storm a bit.

“We pressed them and probably made the most of mistakes. Going into these last two games, we thought two lots of three points would make it a good season, so we’re halfway there.

“I was pleased with my first goal as we do so much work on long-distance shooting and we get criticised for not doing enough of it.

“Remi (Allen) worked really hard to win the ball back in the middle of the pitch, Fara (Williams) made a run across and I just saw the side of the goal open up, so I thought I'd have a go and it went in.”

Reading Chronicle:

Royals ace Brooke Chaplen scores her second goal of the game against Liverpool.

Reading’s fast start paid off when they took the lead in the fifth minute.

Chaplen received the ball on the left before cutting inside and unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the Liverpool net.

The visitors struggled to get going and it took them 28 minutes to muster their first genuine chance when Alex Greenwood was denied by Grace Maloney at her near post.

Royals hit back and almost snatched a second just before the break when Chaplen was sent clean though but poked her shot wide with only Reds keeper Siobhan Chamberlain to beat.

Reading Chronicle:

The tackles were flying in at Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

However, the hosts doubled their lead in the 73rd minute Bruton’s pass deflected into the path of Chaplen who lifted her shot over Chamberlain for her second goal of the day.

Liverpool threatened to pull one back soon after, but Beth England sliced a volley over Maloney’s bar from a Laura Coombs knock-down.

Then Chaplen was a whisker away from completing her hat-trick when her powerful headers crashed against the Liverpool crossbar.

However, Royals avoided any late drama by grabbing a third nine minutes from time when Bruton controlled a Williams long pass before rounding Chamberlain and rolling the ball into an empty net.

Chambers’ side even threatened a fourth when Williams’ 25-yard free-kick was gathered by Chamberlain at the second attempt.

Reading Chronicle:

Reading's Jo Potter wins a header against Liverpool.

Liverpool boss Scott Rogers said: “We're very disappointed with the result. We've almost gone from elation after our win against Manchester City to deflation.

“after the defeat here.

“We only had two days’ turnaround and it's not an excuse because maybe we could have done more to prepare.

“Reading are very well-drilled and they've got some excellent professional players.”

Reading Chronicle:

Lauren Bruton attacks the Liverpool defence.

Reading Women end their league season this Sunday when they take on Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.

Chaplen added: “It will be a tough game, but I think we're more than capable of going up there and getting all three points.

“It's definitely not just another game for us because we want to finish the season as high as we possibly can.

“We're really happy with how far the club has come this season and if we finish in the top four, it will be an exceptional achievement.”

Reading: Moloney, Rowe, Pearce, Potter, Harding, Moore (Jane 45), Furness, Allen, Williams, Bruton, Chaplen. Subs not used: Scott, Linnett, Fletcher, Green, Kite. Booked: Furness 68, Chaplen 83.

Liverpool: Chamberlain, Murray, Ingle, Bonner, Harris, Longhurst (Turner 59), Charles (Clarke 59), Coombs, Weir, Greenwood, England. Subs not used: Flaherty, Johnson, Rodgers, Babajide.

Referee: Lindsey Robinson.

Attendance: 1,379.