Reading will be hoping to continue their imposing start to the season on Sunday, as they travel to London Bees in the WSL 2.
The Royals currently sit second in the table after the opening fixture, which saw them open their campaign in remarkable style. Travelling to Yeovil Town to kick off their campaign, a phenomenal performance from Fran Kirby saw her net all four goals in a promising 4-2 victory.
Having finished third in the previous season, manager Kelly Chambers will be hoping her side can push for promotion this year in a highly competitive division.
Their opponents currently sit in fifth place after a goalless draw with Millwall Lionesses, but will be undoubtedly bolstered by the recent arrival of central defender Jade Dempster. Last season’s finish of 10th place will see the Bees somewhat ruled out of the promotion chase, and Chambers will hope to captivate on the possibility of soaring to the top of the table with maximum points.
“The one thing we did at the start of the season was to sit everyone down together to discuss our goal and what we all want is to play WSL 1 football,” she said on the club’s website.
“The girls have got that hunger and that determination to get there. Everyone loves to see the nice side of the game, but there’s always that different side where you need to grind out results and deal with pressure being piled on and that’s what we did against Yeovil.
“The Bees have definitely strengthened their side over the winter. I know a few players who’ve moved there from Reading like Ashleigh Goddard, so it might be a bit of a grudge match.
“They’re an organised side and developing as a team so at the end of the day we just need to make sure we get the job done.”
The hosts also believe they have a firm chance of taking at least a point from the fixture, with defender Billie Brooks suggesting they stand in good stead for the clash after their clean sheet at the Den last week.
However, conceding a staggering 14 goals against the Royals last term during the two league encounters, the 19-year-old is well aware of the threat the visitors possess.
“It is a bit of a tough start as Reading finished third last season, but we have had a good pre-season and we are really looking forward to the test,” Brooks added.
“I think we have a lot to take from the two defeats we suffered to Reading last year. Anything is an improvement in our eyes, it cannot get much worse!
“It will be our first home game of the season so they will have to come to our home, our ground, and we will not make it easy for them.”
Reading’s Kirby will hope to add to her goal tally on Sunday. The England international is currently the top goalscorer across the Super League’s two tiers – a position she also occupied at the end of last season.
