Reading retained their dominance at the top of the WSL 2, with a brace from Emma Follis and a second-half strike from Harriet Scott easing them to a 3-0 victory over Millwall Lionesses at the Madejski Stadium.
The crowd was not quite as large as expected, and a number of incidents in the surrounding area led to a delayed kick-off, but still, a 879-strong attendance cheered on the two sides on Friday evening. With many still struggling to reach the ground in time, including star striker Fran Kirby, the Royals ensured the difficulties did not spoil the evening, with Follis stepping up to the mark once again in the absence of the England international.
However, it was the visitors who came closest first, with Lillie Billson’s early effort unfortunate to fall wide of the target in the opening few minutes. Before, up the other end, Follis and Rebecca Jane worked well to find Lauren Bruton, whose penalty claims were waved away by Neil Morrison in a tough-to-call decision.
Despite the early threat of the Lionesses, Follis took just 11 minutes to collect a through ball and calmly slot her fourth goal of the season past goalkeeper Sarah Quantrill.
Bruton and Follis both continued t0 test the Lionesses’ number one with stinging efforts throughout the first half, while Quantrill’s opposite number Grace Moloney made minimal contributions after her early scare.
Millwall’s Frankie Strugnell almost handed the hosts a dangerous opportunity for their second of game, clashing with Bruton in the corner. Nonetheless, little could be made of the resulting free kick and Millwall managed to break on the counter. A calamitous defensive error then saw Megan Goss through on goal, only for Reading’s Kylie Davies to make an excellent sliding challenge before the referee halted play anyway for an offside.
After half an hour, the game began to open up more and a dangerous volley from Bruton forced a fine save from Quantrill, before a phenomenal link-up down the right saw the Lionesses struggle to contain Reading’s attacking threats. Goss and Ashlee Hincks both had timid efforts for their side, but the hosts went into the break still leading.
The opening ten minutes of the second half bought little action to separate the teams who between them have the best goal scoring record and the best defensive record in the league. But once again, Reading made use of their opportunities more so then their opponents and Scott doubled their advantage with a lobbed effort from inside the box.
Bianca Bragg came agonizingly close to adding a third for her side, but could only watch as the Millwall defender headed her well-struck attempt off the line and over the bar.
On 70 minutes Follis appeared once again after a quiet spell, and added her side’s third of the evening, with another composed finish from the edge of the box to inflict the Lionesses’ first defeat of 2015.
The only mark on an evening that saw Kelly Chambers’ side return to the top of the table, was an unexpected dismissal for Bragg after her rash challenge late on left the referee brandishing his red card.
After the game, goalscorer Follis spoke to the club’s official site. “It’s brilliant to be back at the top of the league, it is where we belong,” she said.
“Our aim at the beginning of the season was to get promoted, be at the top and we will compete against tough teams like Millwall, who put up a good fight and were unbeaten until now, so we’re always positive.
“I always enjoy scoring goals, especially at an amazing stadium like this and with lots of fans in.”
