Reading FC Women’s U21s got their hands on the Berks & Bucks Cup after they overcame MK Dons in a penalty shootout.
The Royals had to hold their nerve from the penalty spot to take the trophy and it was goalkeeper Eve Annets who proved to be the hero to help her side to a 3-1 victory.
MK scored the opening goal of the tie in the 67th minute when Gould reacted to score on the rebound.
The Royals replied in the 84th minute through Johnson who finished after trading passes with Manners.
With the game all square at the end of 90 minutes, the game was decided from the spot.
Both sides missed their first spot kicks but then both converted with their second takes.
Annets made the difference in goal as MK missed two of their kicks which gave the Royals a 3-1 success.
Reading U21s manager Liam Thorne said: “ “I simply cannot fault the girls today, every single one of them stood up to the challenge and were really, really good.
“We spoke at the end before the penalties about the character they showed, going 1-0 down in the cup final, against a tier three senior side, and to show the mental strength to keep fighting and then score at the end – it’s a testament to all of them.
“There are just so many things that I am proud of today, all the staff, the players, we just made a really good account of ourselves. That was the last message I said to everyone before we began the warm ups, just go out there, enjoy the occasion and give it your all.
“Days like today just shows the development of the football club, and our youth pathways, the quality and quantity of the girls coming through.
“Now we just have to keep pushing, we still have challenges in the league coming up, but right now we’ll just focus on today and celebrate this moment.
“Like I said, they just showed a different level of themselves today, and they’ve made everyone in this club very, very proud.”
