Reading 2-1 Bournemouth
Reading opened their campaign in 2008 with the proverbial 'six-pointer' against second-placed Bournemouth. When the two teams had met back in September they had shared the points, so Frank Rodriguez's team knew they were in for a tough encounter.

Reading gave a debut to new signing Amy Carr in goal and a season's debut to central defender Rebecca Todd, whose performances for the reserves had warranted a call up to the team.

On a very heavy pitch, Reading started brightly, showing no real signs of this being the first game for over a month. The training sessions over the festive period appeared to have retained fitness and sharpness.

We took the lead after only three minutes. Rachel Fell cut in from the right and saw her first shot blocked, her second shot was sliced and looked to be heading out for a goal-kick, but Jenny Webb did not give up on it. She managed to keep the ball in and drilled the ball in from an acute angle for her fourth goal in the last six games.

Soon after Todd make a tremendous last ditch tackle just as the Bournemouth striker was about to shoot when through on goal. Todd enjoyed an excellent game, winning her headers and using the ball well.

Reading almost added to their lead when Webb and Fell combined but Fell's shot was well saved by the Bournemouth keeper. Fell then received an excellent pass from Kayleigh Hines, but saw her shot cannon off the crossbar.

Reading were made to pay for not adding to their lead as Bournemouth broke and equalised, when Carr was unable to get a strong hand on a shot which looped over her head. This setback spurred Reading on with Tash Caswell shooting just wide.

After 26 minutes they were awarded a penalty when Emma Jayne Pearmine's free-kick was deflected on to a Bournemouth defenders hand. The referee had no hesitation in awarding the spot-kick.

Leading scorer Laura Woodley, who had been poorly all week, stepped up to take the penalty, but it was brilliantly saved by the keeper who recovered to dive on the ball on the line and prevent any follow up.

Reading dominated possession and the growing link play between Caswell and Woodley nearly saw the team regain the lead, but Woodley was just unable to add to her season's tally. The first half ended 1-1.

Reading started the second half as they did the first and regained the lead when Pearmine's corner was met by Hines and her header powered into the Bournemouth net for her first goal of the season. Reading tried to add to their lead, but the Bournemouth keeper was to deny Webb and Fell with more excellent saves. In the Reading goal Carr was forced into a flying save after 72 minutes.

As the game continued, the heavy pitch began to take its toll, with the hard-working Hines forced to leave the pitch with severe cramp after another excellent game. Stacey Wiggins, who was playing right back, moved into central midfield for the last twenty minutes.

Caswell also suffered cramp as well as an injured hand, but continued to the end. Jo Chubb played with her usual unbelievable energy levels and worked hard for the team from the first to last minute. Chubb plays an important role in the midfield for Reading, despite being one of the youngest players in the side.

Bournemouth pressed for an equaliser and had a period of successive corners, which Kelly Chambers dealt with, like a true captain leading from the front. She and Todd had excellent games in central defence, restricting the lively Bournemouth for the majority of the game.

Reading introduced substitutes Panting, May and New towards the end of the half to add fresh legs as both teams tired. The whistle blew to end an entertaining game, where both teams' valiant attempts to play good football were restricted by the heavy pitch, with Reading's victory moving them eight points clear of Bournemouth.

Manager Frank Rodriguez commented after the game, "The girls were fantastic given the importance of the game and the conditions. Their character again shone through, which bodes well for the rest of the season, starting with another tough game away to Chesham next week."

Director Of Womens Football Lee Herron was full of praise for Reading's young team, saying "It was another excellent team performance, with debutants goalkeeper Amy Carr and central defender Rebecca Todd both playing important roles in the victory.

"Today has again demonstrated the continued hard work being put in to develop the strength of the women's squads within the club. As well as this excellent result, we have had four of our present Under 16 Centre of Excellence players training with the squad over Christmas and two of them played a full part in the Reserves victory today at Oxford City."

Oxford City A 1-4 Reading res
The reserves returned to action for the first time in seven weeks. Last time out was an emphatic win over Newbury and this long break had little effect on the team.

They did start the game slowly though, and were made to pay early on as they went behind to a Steph Kubat strike after 8 mins, when she found herself free inside the Royals 18 yard box.

This pushed Reading into gear and they were soon back on level terms when clever play from Chard and Derlacki on the right saw Chard poke the ball home from 18 yards.

As Reading were just starting to gain some momentum and push on, the floodlights died which meant a 20 minute delay before the game could be restarted!

Reading regrouped in the changing rooms and came out to dominate the rest of the first period. On 23 minutes Derlacki headed over from close range after a Lou Smith cross, and on 28 Allen drove wide after City failed to clear their lines.

Good play on the left from Welch resulted in a corner on 40 minutes and Sophie Measham grabbed her 4th goal from set pieces in her last 4 starts. Half time came after Corkett had talked herself into a booking and Chard had volleyed wide from a Derlacki cross.

2-1 up and seemingly coasting, Reading needed to just put the game to bed but City came out strong. On 55 minutes the ball again landed at Kubats feet inside the 18 yard box but a fantastic save by the feet of Poole denied her the equaliser.

63 minutes saw Trimmer deny City their second with a fantastic last ditch tackle when through on goal. Strange replaced Corkett to try and regain some possession but City began to press hitting the cross bar twice and finding Charlotte Poole in fine form in the Reading goal.

On 71 Gemmell replaced Trimmer at right back and Reading were now starting to press on, City were made to rue missed chances when Derlacki beat her full back and drove a ball into the feet of Welch in the 6 yard box who poked the ball home for 3-1.

Two minutes later Poole again saved well from a City forward and from her kick Strange retained possession and released Chard with a cute through ball which saw Chard smash the ball against the cross bar. Welch again poked the ball home though for her 10th goal in her last five matches! Leblond came on for Welch in the dying minutes and could have grabbed a fifth in the final seconds but her header was too weak.

Director of Womens Football Lee Herron stated, "It was pleasing today to see that both first and reserve teams are playing some excellent football. It is also good to see that both teams have a similar style of play and we look forward to seeing some of these reserve team players push for a place in the first team in the near future."