Darren Carter’s Blues were back in action after the international break, taking on Reading. Carter made one change to the side that beat Watford 5-2 before the break, with Jamie Finn coming in to replace Martha Harris. The Blues were on a good run of form before the international break, which saw several Blues in action, and were looking to continue that form back at St Andrew’s.

First Half

The Blues got off to a great start, dominating possession in the first half and, unlike Reading, weren’t without their chances. Blues’ first chance came within the first three minutes when a Lucy Quinn cross was met by the head of Neve Herron but Royals ‘keeper Emily Orman just about managed to gather the ball. Just under ten minutes later, Charlie Devlin hit the crossbar from the edge of the area after looping the ball over the ‘keeper. Devlin was rewarded for her efforts in the 28th minute when she made use of her brilliant footwork to make it 1-0 to Blues. Devlin took the ball inside the area, from the right hand side, using stepovers and neat footwork to dazzle the Royals’ defence, before beautifully curling the ball into the top left corner, beyond the reach of Orman. Less than ten minutes later, Devlin got hers and Blues’ second! A Blues corner fell to Lily Agg who poked the ball into Devlin’s path for her to smash it into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal. Blues’ dominated possession and Reading rarely went forward, but the halftime score line remained 2-0.

Harriet Lander - The FA/The FA Collection/Getty Images

(Photo by Harriet Lander – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Second Half

The Blues started the second half well, having a chance in the first few minutes. A cross from the right from Quinn was just tipped beyond the reach of Ivana Fuso waiting at the back post. Blues did have the ball in the net in the 50th minute, but the referee adjudged a foul on the Reading ‘keeper. A few minutes later, Reading clawed one back through Deanna Cooper heading home from a corner and Blues’ lead was halved – 2-1. After Reading’s goal, the game became more even, with both sides having their chances. Devlin once again used her skill to run down the wing, leaving Cooper not knowing which way she was facing, before delivering a cross into the box that just evaded the head of Libby Smith. It was then Reading’s turn for another chance. Tia Primmer tried to catch out Lucy Thomas off her line, but Thomas reacted well to make the save and Gemma Lawley got back to make sure there was no follow up from Reading. A couple of minutes later, Blues had another chance of their own when Fuso found Finn running in at the back post, but her shot was saved by Orman. The Blues hit the crossbar again when Quinn tried a long range effort in the 62nd minute, showing Blues’ attacking desire. Blues got their first glimpse of Choe Yu-ri in action when she made her debut in the 63rd minute, replacing Quinn, and although Blues didn’t really create any more chances, she looked fairly impressive. Five minutes were added on as the rain poured down and Blues fans were left feeling very nervous in stoppage time when the ball was played into former Blue Charlie Estcourt running in on goal, but Louise Quinn (on for Agg) did brilliantly to slide in and get there first to make sure the ball went out for a corner, keeping the final score at 2-1 to Blues!

Harriet Lander - The FA/The FA Collection/Getty Images

(Photo by Harriet Lander – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

A very dominant and impressive first half for Blues, not giving Reading any chance to get into the game. The second half was more even, with Reading having chances and Blues having to defend more, but they ground out the win and showed great resilience to put another three points on the board and move up to 5th in the table. Next up, The Blues are away at London City Lionesses and it would be great to see some of you Bluenoses there. Who doesn’t love an away day?!

KRO!