Spurs Women frustrated by Royals in WSL stalemate - report and reaction

Spurs Women were forced to settle for a point at Reading on Sunday afternoon in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League as we were held to a 0-0 draw.

In a game we dominated in terms of possession, territory and chances, we were ultimately unable to break down a stubborn Royals defence. Ashleigh Neville twice came close for us in the first half, drawing a smart save out of goalkeeper Grace Moloney in the first five minutes before striking the post just before the break. Ria Percival then had two bright openings in the second period, but was first denied by Moloney from a free-header before later she later saw a deflected cross cleared off the line.

The draw keeps us fourth in the table but moves us level on points with third-placed Manchester United with just goal difference keeping us outside the top three.

We dictated play in the opening exchanges between the sides at Reading’s Select Car Leasing Stadium, however we were unable to quite carve out the clear-cut chances – and, when we did, goalkeeper Moloney came to the Royals’ rescue.

That proved to be the case just five minutes in as, when Percival neatly slipped Neville in down the left channel, Moloney was quick to react and managed to turn the February WSL Player of the month’s first-time effort away from goal before her defence scrambled the ball clear. Moments later, Percival was again the architect as we found ourselves in a promising position once more, however Kyah Simon was unable to connect to the midfielder’s teasing centre. Further chances arrived as we reached the midway stage of the first half, but neither Rachel Williams, who sent a diving header wide of the left upright, or Percival, who sent a looping header into the arms of Moloney, could convert.

With us unable to take advantage of our chances, the hosts grew in confidence and, by the half-hour mark, were also gaining territory and beginning to fashion opportunities. They could have been in the lead with 40 minutes played as Amalie Eikeland drew a brilliant save out of Tinja-Rikka Korpela, volleying towards goal from 18 yards. Natasha Harding then volleyed just over with a scissor kick two minutes later.

We were back on top come the end of the first period though and perhaps had our two brightest openings of the first 45 minutes in injury time. First Williams went close as, after shrugging off the attentions of defender Deanna Cooper, she curled inches wide of the mark before, in the final minute of additional time, Neville’s cross-come-shot rebounded off the left-hand post.

Despite our strong end to the first period though, it was the hosts that began brightest when action resumed. Within a minute of the restart, forward Deanne Rose broke through the centre of the pitch but was denied an attempt on goal as Molly Bartrip blocked. From the resultant corner, Korpela was then called upon as, direct from the set piece, Lily Woodham’s goal-bound in-swinger was punched clear by the Finnish goalkeeper.

Yet, after that positive start by the Berkshire outfit, we should have then taken the lead on 50 minutes. Neville delivered from the right with a well-weighted cross, but Percival, who found herself free at the front post, was unable to beat Moloney with the keeper using her knees to deny the midfielder's flick on.

From that point, both sides battled for control of proceedings but neither could quite take the initiative, leading to a rather scrappy spell as we moved past the hour mark. We looked the more likely of the two sides to find a winner but we were struggling to execute the required final ball. Reading, meanwhile, continued to provide a threat on the counter as well as with set-pieces. And it was from the latter that they could have found themselves ahead on 73 minutes. A deep free-kick from the right picked out Justine Vanhaevermaet at the back-post, who managed to cushion the ball back across goal with a header. Her pass found a free Gemma Evans inside the six-yard box but, with time and space, the defender lashed wildly over the bar.

Our best chance of the match, and our last clear-cut opportunity, fell three minutes later – and it came out of nothing. It was Percival who would have claimed the goal had her deflected cross found its way in after bouncing over the helpless Moloney, but Vanhaevermaet was primed on the line to clear. Her clearance, however, almost rebounded back into the net off Moloney after the goalkeeper had also made an attempt to avert the danger. The ball, though, spun away to safety.

With both sides pushing for a winner in the game’s final moments, Eveliina Summanen came closest for us, curling wide from range in the third minute of additional time, leaving us ultimately disappointed come the full-time whistle as Reading’s compact defence ensured we left with just a point.

Reaction on Spurs TV

‘You’ve got to make sure you finish your chances’

After the game, Head Coach Rehanne Skinner said: “I think, overall, we managed possession well, I think we exploited spaces on the switch at times, which enabled us to play forward off the back of it. I think we got some opportunities in and around the box which were really positive. If I’m honest, I feel like we could still be playing now and not scored. Unfortunately, it was one of those days.

“Defensively, we were solid. I think it was only in the last few minutes of the game, maybe, where we got a bit stretched. We probably need to manage that better. But, overall, I think it feels like two points dropped, based on the fact that we created a lot more chances, and they were good quality chances.

“The thing is, in order to take three points, you’ve got to make sure you finish those chances.”

Highlights on Spurs TV

Match data

Yellow cards: Spurs – Percival 18, Bartrip 75, Summanen 79, Clemaron 87.

Referee: Lauren Impey.

Venue: Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Weather: Cloudy but dry, seven degrees.