Spurs Women earn a point at the Madejski

Spoils were shared as Spurs Women drew 0-0 with Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday (14 March) in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.

Goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen registered her first clean sheet for us during a balanced contest where both sides came agonisingly close to finding a winner.

Rehanne Skinner made one change to the side who were unfortunate to lose 2-0 to Brighton last Sunday (7 March), with Josie Green replacing Kit Graham in the starting XI. Rachel Williams appeared as a second-half substitute, playing her first minutes since January after recovering from injury.

Both sides exchanged chances during a lively opening spell. With three minutes played, Alanna Kennedy tried her luck from long distance with a sharp left-footed strike, which Reading goalkeeper Grace Moloney had to hunch low to collect.

We demonstrated concrete defensive grit throughout the first half, handling pressure from several Reading corners and remaining resilient.

The hosts came close a minute before the break when Welsh international Jess Fishlock hit the post after dribbling into the box and striking from a tight angle. Ultimately, neither team could find a breakthrough during an even first half.

Reading had an opportunity a minute after the restart when Amalie Eikeland found space before firing a shot across the face of the goal, which trickled out for a goal-kick. We grew in confidence and after 56 minutes, Rosella Ayane charged down the right wing with possession, hustled into Reading’s box and unleashed a strike, but was denied by Moloney at close range.

At the other end, Mikalsen was called into action four minutes later when she made a stunning goal-line block with her feet to keep the scores level.

After 67 minutes, Ayane sourced another chance when she cut in from the left and forced Moloney to parry the ball away. Gemma Davison scrambled towards the rebound but was unable to bundle the ball over the line.

With six minutes to play, Kennedy latched onto substitute Graham’s brilliant curling pass at the back post with a driving header, but Moloney managed to save the chance and confirm the goalless draw.

The result means we remain in eighth place in the WSL. We’re back in action next Sunday (21 March) when we host Bristol City at The Hive – kick-off is at 2pm and the match is available to watch live on the FA Player.

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Match data

Yellow card: Reading – Harding 36.

Referee: Christiana Hattersley.

Venue: The Madejski Stadium, Reading.

Weather: Light showers, eight degrees.

Attendance: Behind closed doors.