Reading 3-3 Luton
Reading faced an unbeaten Luton Town this weekend in what turned out to be their hardest fought game of the season to date.

The game started briskly with the Reading team totally dominating the first 20 mins.

Rachel Panting and Rachel Fell worked the right flank to create a number of good opportunities.

Kayliegh Hines, Jo Chubb and Natasha Caswell were totally in control of the midfield, spraying balls left, right and into the channels for Lauren May and Jenny Webb to chase onto and pressure the Luton defence

During this period it looked liked it was only a matter of time before Reading opened up the Luton defence.

The goal came in the 22nd minute when a beautifully delivered corner kick by Emma Jane Pearmine teased the Luton defence and a mis-clearance by them was pounced on by May. She fed the ball into the feet of Sahara Ricketts, who scored her first goal for the team.

The scene was set for a convincing Reading performance. However, this was short lived when after 27 mins Reading gave away a free kick deep into their left side.

Luton's number 7 delivered an in-swinging cross over the Reading wall that hit the post and deflected in the goal for 1-1.

Five minutes later another Luton attack starting from the left caught the Reading midfield and defence on the hop and another great cross from the left was ended up with a neatly placed half volley.

Reading responded well; Natasha Caswell and Jo Chubb finding some vigour to push the Reading team for the equaliser.

Luton matched Reading's push pound-for-pound and their patience paid off for a third time on 35 minutes when a mistimed tackle from Ricketts allowed their striker to run on goal and strike for their 3rd goal.

The first half ended with Reading 3-1 down at home, which was a situation they have not been used to so far this season.

The second half however was a completely different situation.

Laura Woodley replaced Jenny Webb at centre forward, and following a brisk half time discussion and re-organisation, Reading came out of the stocks with some passion.

Kelly Chambers led her team to an amazing fight back.

Ten minutes into the second half and Woodley was back on the score sheet as she dissected the Luton centre backs and slotted home the second.

Reading continued to mount pressure, competing in every area of the pitch and continuing to create a string of chances, but watching for the Luton breaks that had done so much damage in the first half.

Reading could have easily equalised and turned the game around on several occasions, Natasha Caswell missing a chance that simply needed a tap-in.

Caswell kept at it however, and on the 88th minute she collected a pass from Rachel Fell out to the right, ran just inside of the 18 yard box and drove home a superb shot for Reading's equaliser.

The game ended three a-piece and both teams continue on their unbeaten runs.

MK Wanderers 2-1 Reading reserves
The second string suffered their first defeat of the season on Sunday.

Having scored 13 goals in their first three matches, spirit in the camp was high when they arrived in Milton Keynes

MK Wanderers had key players back in their side, but struggled to cope with Reading's pace in the early minutes. Sadly Corkett and Welch made little of good opportunities.

For the rest of the first half there were not too many clear-cut chances, but MK made the most of a period of pressure on 28 minutes when their number 10 hit a left foot volley across the keeper to make it 1-0.

The MK defence was dealing with everything that Reading had to offer until 41 minutes when a centre back misjudged a header and Corkett finished well.

1-1 at the break which was a fair score-line even though Reading were struggling to compete and make the most of their opportunities.

Another spell of early pressure saw the MK defence hold strong, scrambling one Corkett attempt off the line. The keeper also safely saved shots from Williams, E.Smith and Welch.

Reading though were not looking like the side they have been previously and at times were very lacklustre.

They were almost made to pay when a quick counter attack saw Wilcox handle the ball just outside the area, earning her a yellow, and MK a free kick. MK's goal scorer Geyton struck a well hit free kick just past Wilcox's left hand post.

66 minutes saw Strange replace the quiet E.Smith but struggled to impact in a tight and physical midfield.

72 minutes saw L.Smith enter the game replacing Corkett.

Neither of these substitutions nor tactical changes could earn Reading a winner and on 80 minutes MK grabbed themselves a winner.

After giving away a needless corner Reading failed to defend the delivery and Kamara, who impressed in the previous encounter, finished the loose ball well on 80 minutes.

The game ended with this scoreline, albeit five minutes early, and kept MK top and now six points clear of the Royals.

This was a poor all round performance that the players were clearly disappointed with after the game.

Assistant Manager Craig Drummond said, "MK had a clear game plan, they played little football but used their strengths well.

"The girls are rightly upset but should learn from this defeat and build on it positively for next week's fixture".

In all a fair result from a game in which Reading failed to compete.