Spurs Women suffer defeat to Royals in Conti Cup

Spurs Women suffered a 4-0 home defeat in the opening game of the Continental League Cup against Reading in Group D.

Brooke Chaplen scored twice for the visitors, before an own goal from Ashleigh Neville and a fourth from Millie Farrow at The Hive on Sunday.

Captain Jenna Schillaci returned to the starting line-up as Lucia Leon and Josie Green made their first starts of the season.

We started brightly and could have taken the lead in the opening minute as a strong attempt from Kit Graham was saved well by Grace Moloney - the Reading goalkeeper made another good save to prevent Graham for a second time 20 minutes later.

Soon after, former Reading player Gemma Davison went bursting down the left flank before switching it to Rosella Ayane, who fired the ball inches wide of the top corner.

We were left to rue our early chances as the visitors took the lead in the 31^st minute – Jade Moore played Chaplen in on goal before she slotted the ball past Becky Spencer from close range.

Chaplen doubled Reading’s lead within a minute after the break, when she latched onto a back-pass from Leon to beat Spencer and score her second goal of the match.

Six minutes later, Reading fizzed in a corner that Neville turned into the back of the net as the visitors extended their lead and, two minutes later, Farrow made it 4-0 with a strike from close range.

Coach's view

“We are obviously not happy - it was a disappointing performance,” Head Coach Juan Amoros commented.

“I think we need to be more clinical in front of goal, we cannot create so many chances and not take them. The first three goals from Reading were scored through our mistakes rather than them doing something spectacular, so we need to look at that.

“I’ve said it before, if we don’t take our chances against a team like Reading, with the experience they have, then we’re going to be punished and that’s exactly what happened today.

“We will look at everything and make sure we are as ready as can be to go to the London Stadium on Sunday and hopefully get three points.”

Match data

Goals: Reading – Chaplen 31, 46, Neville (OG) 52, Farrow 54.

Yellow card: Spurs - Neville 90, Haines 90 Reading - Harding 74, Allen 81

Referee: Robert Whitton.

Venue: The Hive.

Weather: Rain, 17 degrees.

Attendance: 533.