READING FC Women continued their fine recent form as they beat Watford 4-0 on an entertaining FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup night at Adams Park.

It took just four minutes to open the scoring on Wednesday night when Fara Williams latched on to a Lauren Bruton pass to slot past Hornets keeper Frances Kitching.

Reading continued to dominate the first period with Anna Green and Kirsty Linnett proving too hot to handle for the Watford defence.

Williams then went from scorer to provider as she supplied the ball for Molly Bartrip to net with an excellent header on the stroke of half time.

Reading remained on the front foot after the break with Linnett missing a chance to make it three, but finding the net soon after – only for the opportunity to be ruled offside.

Half-time substitute Brooke Chaplen drilled multiple efforts wide from close range as Royals looked to kill the tie off, before the third arrived in the 67th minute as Linnett’s hard work was finally rewarded.

Rachel Furness nearly added to the tally but saw her looping header hit the crossbar, while Linnett could have added to her own collection late on.

But the fourth goal arrive in the 90th minute after a goalmouth scramble ensued following a corner, with the ball subsequently bundled home by Chaplen.

There was almost time for a fifth too, but the home side were unable to profit from ping-pong in the Watford box.

The victory means Royals have chalked up two big wins in a matter of days following their 5-0 thumping of Bristol City Women on Saturday.

Kelly Chambers' in-form side are now unbeaten in four games in all competitions including three victories.

Royals boss Chambers said: “It’s another clean sheet, and another four goals on the score sheet for us with a number of changes to the starting 11 so, on that side of it, I am really pleased.

“But performance-wise I’d have expected better. For me it shows we can still perform at this level and higher with the depth of the squad that I’ve got.

“I thought we took our foot off the pedal after the first goal, and maybe we should have gone on and got a few more. But I know what it is like when you make a few changes to play a team that is in the league below."

She added: “Fara Williams has made a massive impact, for us she’s playing in a different position to what she normally plays, she has been fantastic for us.

“This is the best squad I’ve had so far, but I still want more from them, I still want them to compete with Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City, we can do that this season.”

And Watford defender Kylie McCarthy paid Royals a huhe compliment, saying: “Looking at the way Reading played, the tempo of play, they are full time, that’s where we aspire to be at, that’s what we are working towards."

Reading face Arsenal at Boreham Wood this Sunday in the FA Women's Super League (2pm).

Reading (4-1-3-2): Moloney, Rowe (Jane 46), Van Den Berg, Potter, Green, Bartrip, Allen (Chaplen 46), Furness, Williams, Bruton, Linnett. Subs not used: Earps, Scott, Pearce, Clifford.

Watford (4-3-3): Kitching, Nuttall, Jones, McCarthy, McKeag, Puddefoot, Maple (Ward 65), Will, Babajide, Murray (Petkova 79), Cudone (Fatuga-Dada 65). Subs not used: Kerr, Neal, Baranowska, Bell. Booked: Murray 69.

Referee: Sian Massey-Ellis.

Attendance: 211.

  • England face Bosnia & Herzegovina in a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier at Walsall FC on 24 November, KO 7.05pm.
  • Buy tickets (£10 Adult/£1 Under-18) at www.thefa.com/tickets