After two weeks of training, Reading Women's first and reserve teams travelled to West Bromwich Albion for their first friendly of the season. The matches were played in the Indoor Training Dome next to the Hawthorns Ground.

At this stage of pre-season the matches were played to give people game time and continue to increase fitness ready for the season's opening fixture on August 17th at home to Sunderland. With this in mind the match was split into 3 periods of 30 minutes.

Reading started the game with five new faces to the first team. The match started at a frenetic pace, with Midlands Combination side WBA keen to put Reading off their stride.

It was WBA who opened the scoring after 4 minutes with a well-taken finish giving debutante keeper Michelle Beazley no chance.

Reading then started to find their passing game and Jenny Ormond was unlucky not to score when her long-range shot cannoned back of the post. As the first period continued Reading started to dominate but finished the first 30 minutes a goal down.

Reading's equaliser came when Tash Caswell floated a left foot shot over the keeper and they took the lead when Laura Woodley combined with Ormond who finished well with a flicked header. The second period finished with Reading leading 2-1 and enjoying the majority of possession.

The third period saw Reading make a few changes to personnel, with Polly New returning from long term injury. Reading's fitness levels allowed them to continue to dominate and they added a third after a well worked corner routine saw Catherine Reid score from close range.

The fourth goal came from another debutante when Kelly Sims drifted a shot into the far corner after excellent closing down work by Woodley and Caswell.

The game finished at 4-1 with Reading's management team pleased with the fitness and commitment shown from the players. There were encouraging performances from the new players with Julia Ormond linking well with Kelly Chambers in defence.

The team will now regroup for training this week before their second friendly at home to Bournemouth on Sunday, before playing in the Umbro International tournament in Manchester the following week