READING FC Women snatched a last-gasp draw at Manchester City in FA Women’s Super League 1.

It was an encouraging response from Kelly Chambers’ Royals who were thumped 6-0 by leaders Arsenal in their previous fixture.

The visitors started brightly last Friday night with Fara Williams firing an early free-kick narrowly over Ellie Roebuck’s crossbar.

City hit back with Georgia Stanway testing Royals keeper Grace Maloney with a decent effort.

However, teenager Stanway made amends in the 33rd minute when the England youth international’s superb 30-yard strike flew into the top corner for a 1-0 lead.

Royals remained a threat and they almost levelled when a Williams effort was blocked by Gemma Bonner just before the break.

A key substitution at half time proved a masterstroke by Chambers.

She sent on Jade Moore and the England international equalised with almost her first touch, nodding home from a well-worked corner to make it 1-1.


The hosts threatened a second, only for Stanway to miss the target when through on goal before Nikita Parris was denied by a crucial Maloney save.

Slough-born Maloney had to be at her very best in the closing stages as City pressed for a winner with another top-quality save to thwart Parris again.

Stanway also fired into the side netting late on before Royals rode their luck when Tessa Wullaert’s shot rattled the bar during injury time.

The draw leaves Royals sixth in the table with Manchester City second.

Chambers said: “The performance was one thing I wanted, especially after our result and our performance against Arsenal.

“They delivered that perfectly and the result is just the icing on the cake for us.

“There were a few tactical things that we wanted to make the players aware of and to make sure we could shut up shop.

“The introduction of Jade Moore allowed us to do that better and she’s come on to score the goal. Set-pieces are a part of the game nowadays and it’s something we always look to work on.”

Royals host Bristol City Women at Wycombe’s Adams Park this Sunday (2pm ko), and Chambers added: “It’s a case of maintaining these levels now. If we deliver that performance again against Bristol, I’m pretty sure we won’t have any problems.”

Manchester City: Roebuck, Bonner, Beattie, Houghton, McManus, Wullaert, Walsh, Scott, Weir, Stanway, Parris. Subs not used: Stenson, Jans, Lawley, Nadim, Beckie, Morgan, Emslie.

Reading: Moloney, Jane, Pearce, Potter, Harding, Estcourt (Moore 45), Furness, Williams, Bruton, Chaplen. Subs not used: Woodburn, Pacheco, Bartip, Davison, Laws. Booked: Pearce 67, Allen 90

Referee: David McNamara. Att: 1,015.

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