The thrills and spills of the Women’s World Cup are over and now attention switches back to the domestic league. Saturday evening will see the continuation of the promotion battle in WSL2 as the top two are both back in action.
Reading start life without Fran Kirby by hosting Durham. The Royals are sitting pretty at the top of WSL2, above Doncaster Rovers Belles on goal difference. The two promotions challengers are already 6 points clear of the chasing pack and both will be hopeful of extending that gap this weekend.
Doncaster Rovers Belles welcome Watford Ladies to the Keepmoat stadium. Watford are currently bottom of WSL2 having picked up just 4 points from the first half of the season.
It’s been a historic mid-season break for Reading Women. They watched on as their protégée Fran Kirby scored England’s opening goal at the World Cup, before being snapped up by Chelsea for a British record transfer fee.
Kirby scored an incredible 11 goals in 5 games at the start of the season but despite losing their top scorer, Reading boss Kelly Chambers sees the move as a positive step forward for the club.
“Our team are currently top of WSL2, having ended last season very strongly in our first year at that level, and Fran’s record move is potentially another important step in the club’s progression.”
Reading have moved quickly to replace Kirby, bringing in Nicola Watts from WSL1 side Bristol Academy. Watts returns to the club she played for between 2010-12 before her move along the M4 to Bristol. Watts gained Champions League experience whilst at Bristol, scoring against Barcelona in the last 16 stage.
Durham have also been busy during the transfer window, bringing in Natalie Gutteridge from Sunderland and Nicki Gears from West Alabama. Both will be hoping to feature as Durham look to improve on their current position of 8th.
2nd place Doncaster Rovers Belles will be ready to capitalise on any slip ups from leaders Reading. This weekend’s opponents Watford have been largely disappointing so far this season, managing just one win and one draw from their 9 matches.
Doncaster manager Glen Harris has warned his team against complacency as they chase promotion. He said, “Our mantra for the second phase is no regrets: don’t regret not performing and giving your best both in games and training and it will be one game at a time.”
The club are reporting no new injuries and so Harris will have a full squad to choose from and may well give a debut to new signing Jade Lorton-Radburn. The defender has previously played for both Bristol Academy and Yeovil Town.
