READING FC WOMEN were caught out by Manchester United’s attack after a breathless first-half of action in the Women’s Super League.
A frantic start ensued when Leah Galton put United ahead after they had struck the bar with just 18 seconds on the block.
Deanne Rose levelled for Reading but the visitors had a two-goal lead after Galton finished expertly before Alessia Russo hit a sweet strike into the corner.
Reading tried to respond in the second-half but were kept at bay as United took the points.
The result leaves Reading in sixth in the WSL after 16 matches.
Kelly Chambers made two changes from Reading’s goalless draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur as Sanne Troeslgaard and Emma Harries were selected to start, while the Royals were without their top scorer Natasha Dowie and Amalie Eikeland.
The Royals lost out when they met United on the opening night of the Women’s Super League which ended in a 2-0 victory for the hosts.
United came within inches away of making a blistering start when they attacked with purpose straight from kick-off and with just 18 seconds on the clock, Alessia Russo found space to unleash a strike that crashed off the crossbar.
The visitors didn’t let that early missed chance deter them and kept up the early pressure and found their reward just a few minutes later.
Winning the ball high up the pitch, United stormed down the left through Hannah Blundell who clipped in a cross that was met by the head of Leah Galton who glanced the ball into the far corner.
Rachel Rowe worked an opportunity to respond when her first touch set her up to hit a half volley that flew just wide of the target.
The Red Devils continued to threaten in the final third in search of a second goal as Grace Moloney made a comfortable save from Katie Zelem before Justine Vanhaevermaet threw her body in the way to make a brave block from Russo’s shot.
The hosts drew level in the 16th minute thanks to some persistent work and anticipation from Rowe. She picked up on a loose pass at the back from Blundell, the ball dropped for Rose who took a touch to settle herself and slotted the ball past Mary Earps.
Sanne Troeslgaard came close when she connected cleanly on the volley from a tight angle that flew just wide of the far post.
United were back in front in the 25th minute when Reading’s high defensive line was caught out by a perfectly threaded through ball from Russo to pick out Galton and the forward finished excellently by rounding Grace Moloney and finishing into the empty net.
A slick move down the right nearly brought a chance when Harries and Rose combined to win a corner that was eventually headed over the top by Rowe.
The away side should have scored a third when they again burst forward after breaking past Reading’s high line.
Martha Thomas was set through on goal with two teammates in support, but instead of putting it on a plate for one of her fellow forwards to finish, she opted to shoot and was denied by a tremendous block on the line from Deanna Cooper.
A breathless passage of play followed when Ona Battle hit a thunderous strike that hit the underside of the bar and crossed the line, but was not spotted by the officials who waved play on.
Just seconds later, Russo picked out the top corner with a sublime strike to spare the match officials from making a mistake that looked to have cost United a goal.
The goal mouth action wasn’t done for the half when on the brink of the whistle, Gemma Evans should have reduced the deficit when the ball dropped for her from close range but she poked a shot goalwards that bounced off the bar.
There was more defending for Reading to contend with after the restart as United looked for a fourth to consolidate their lead.
Rose proved to be the focal point in attack for Reading and set up a chance with a cut back for Rowe that was mishit by the Welsh international. But the attack was kept alive only for Rose to be denied by a double save by Earps after two powerful hits from the Canadian forward.
A couple of chances broke the way of Rose in the box late on but she was thwarted by some strong defending.
The final whistle blew as the visitors took all three points to leave the Royals in sixth in the table.
Reading: Moloney, Bryson, Evans, Cooper, Woodham, Harding (c), Rowe, Troelsgaard, Vanhaevermaet, Rose, Harries
Subs: Stewart, Peplow, Balgent, Roberts, Poulter
Manchester United: Earps, Thorsdottir, Caldwell, Battle, Blundell, Groenen, Zelem, Russo, Toone, Galton, Thomas
Subs: Risa, Baggaley, Fuso, Harris, Murphy, Barry, Hanson
Goals: Galton 5’, 25’, Rose 16’, Russo 43′
