Durham out to derail Reading’s title challenge

League leaders Reading travel north to Durham on Sunday hoping to continue their good run of form. The Royals have won their last 3 matches and a fourth consecutive win this weekend would ensure top spot at the mid-season break.

Meanwhile Durham haven’t won since the 19^th April, when they thrashed London Bees 4-0. The Wildcats’ poor form has seen them slide to 8^th in the WSL 2 table.

This weekend’s clash at New Ferens Park will be the last time both sides play before taking a 6-week break for the Women’s World Cup in Canada. When the league recommences in July the two teams will meet at Farnborough for the reverse fixture.

A win for Reading this weekend would pile pressure on the teams below and put the Berkshire club in pole position for a promotion spot, come the end of the season. 

Elsewhere, 2^nd place Doncaster Rovers Belles travel to 3^rd place Yeovil. With at least one of those teams guaranteed to drop points, Reading will have an added incentive to get the victory.

The Royal’s Georgie Giddings is determined to end the first half of the season in 1^st place. “Going into the break top of the table would be ideal,” she said. “The pressure is on at the top of the table and it would just be good to stay up there in the running.”

Despite the hosts’ recent form, Giddings says Reading will not take them for granted. “Durham are one of those sides where you don’t really know what to expect from them, but there is no danger of any complacency setting in.”

The visitors will be without star striker Fran Kirby, who is away with the England squad at the World Cup. Kirby has scored an incredible 11 goals in 5 appearances this year.

Even without Kirby, Reading pose a serious threat according to Durham’s Jemma Purfield. “Reading are a good side and deserve to be at the top of the table with Doncaster. It’s obviously going to be a challenge.”

“Fran Kirby is always a danger as she’s a good player, so it’s good she’s not there, but they’ve got other goals within their team and other players have been scoring in recent weeks,” said Purfield.