Reading finally made it a second Women’s Super League home win of the season on Sunday when they defeated Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 at Madejski.

Fara Williams, Danielle Carter and Natasha Harding were on target as the Royals made it first win in eight games and only their first since beating Charlton in the Continental Cup back on the seventh of October reports Ben Waite.

Before kick-off both sides lined up for a guard of honour ahead of Williams’ entry to the Madejski Stadium turf as England’s most capped player announced her plans to retire at the end of this season earlier this week.

Kelly Chambers and former England boss Hope Powell, now managing Brighton, presented the weekend’s captain with a framed shirt in the centre circle.  

On the pitch, Angharad James fired an early effort over the crossbar before Aileen Whelan headed a chance wide for the visitors.

The script went to plan though as it was Williams who opened the scoring on 36 minutes.

Emma Koivisto fouled a Royals attacker before Williams stepped up to calmy slot the penalty kick past a helpless Megan Walsh.

It was soon 2-0 as Danielle Carter calmy controlled a Natasha Harding cross to fire in with 43 minutes on the clock.

Guem-Min Lee then netted a sensational two-minute brace to level proceedings before the break.

A well guided header from a free kick was followed by a sensational strike immediately from the restart for 2-2 at half time.

Chambers’ side looked to end their winless run after the interval and Harding had an immediate chance. The club captain saw her effort cleared off the line by Felicity Gibbons.

The Welsh international had her name on the scoresheet on 55 minutes however when she latched on to a long ball to guide it under the Brighton goalkeeper.

Chances went begging for Inessa Kaagman and Rachel Rowe as the Royals marked their first full season at Madejski with a final victory.

Williams departed the field through injury late on and the football world will hope she will be fit for the season finale at Chelsea next weekend.

Amalie Eikeland was denied a last gasp opportunity for her name in lights by Walsh when she was through one-on-one.

Reading leapfrog Brighton in the WSL table to sixth and finish their season off next weekend with a trip to high-flying Chelsea.

Reading: Moloney, Bartrip, Cooper, Roberts (Eikeland 86), Leine, James, Williams© (Jeon 77), Harding, Rowe, Carter, Harries (Chaplen 68).

Subs (Unused): Nayler, Flores, Childerhouse.

Goals: Williams 36, Carter 43, Harding 55.