Three second-half goals secured three fundamental points for Reading, as they overcame Doncaster Rovers Belles in a top of the table clash.
The Royals made the trip to the Keepmoat Stadium without star striker Fran Kirby, who had joined the England set-up ahead of the World Cup, and were out to prove they were not a one-woman strike force.
Despite heading into the break at a stalemate, two efforts from Lauren Bruton, either side of Bianca Bragg’s first goal of the campaign, ensured the visitors leapfrogged the promotion candidates to move top of the WSL 2 on goal difference.
Doncaster had struggled throughout the first-half to implement any danger, and top scorer Courtney Sweetman-Kirk laboured in front of goal, failing to get on the end of any of Sue Smith’s dangerous crosses into the middle.
The striker did however come close early in the second half, when her chipped effort dropped inches wide of the post after beating the on rushing Grace Moloney in the Reading goal.
However, a lobbed attempt up the other end of the pitch came to good effect, as Bruton was able to beat Nicola Hobbs before calmly heading into an open net to give the hosts the lead.
The Royals’ almost doubled their advantage through Bragg, who came close with another header on the hour mark, prevented only by a sliding challenge off the line by Sophie Barker. Nonetheless, Bragg ensured she made her way onto the scoresheet just moments later, with a scintillating effort from a staggering 45 yards.
Spotting Hobbs off her line, Bragg beat her with ease to celebrate a goal of the season contender.
Despite the two goal lead, Reading were wary of the talent and danger the hosts possessed in their ranks, and couldn’t afford to lose concentration. Bruton was soon able to seal the impressive victory for her side though, as she slotted home from the penalty spot after 72 minutes – her effort driven into the top left corner following a handball from Belles captain Leandra Little.
Prior to the defeat, Belles had remained unbeaten at home in the league since September 2013, and have seen their record come crashing down to the new league leaders.
Speaking after the crusading victory, goalscorer Bruton felt the game emphasised the danger of her side.
“Doncaster have been really good at home in the past couple of seasons, but we’ve just shown how strong a team we are and how it’s hard to beat us,” said the midfielder.
“Hopefully we can go through the rest of the season like this as well.
“In the second half we came out fighting and got three goals, so we deserved the win in the end.
“I’m pleased to get two goals but it was a really good performance as a team. This will give us loads of confidence, but we’ve still got to play Everton and Donny again so we’ve still got loads of tough games.”
Hero Bruton has now scored six goals in just seven appearances for Reading this season.
