READING FC WOMEN climbed up to second in their Conti Cup group after they breezed past Championship side Southampton.
Having earned the Royals a late point by scoring an 89th minute equaliser in a 3-3 draw at home to Liverpool on Thursday in the Women’s Super League, Sanne Troeslgaard netted for the second consecutive game.
Her goal got Kelly Chambers’ side off to a rapid start as they broke the deadlock just four minutes in at St Mary’s after Emma Harries clipped the ball into the Danish international who applied the finish.
Royals goalkeeper Jacquie Burns, who returned to the side after being sent off against Aston Villa last weekend, made two quickfire saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Reading extended their advantage before the break when Ema Mukandi picked out Lauren Wade who broke in behind the Saints defence and placed the ball past the goalkeeper.
Reading relinquished control in the second-half and continued their commanding performance.
Justine Vanhaevermaet ensured Reading would be taking the points back after she added a third goal of the afternoon.
The Belgian midfielder fired a shot into the roof of the net to put the game beyond doubt.
Reading could have put more gloss on the scoreline but Charlie Wellings had a shot cleared off the line before she again went close but was denied by the keeper.
Reading are now in second position in Conti Cup Group E after two matches, above Coventry on goal difference and three points above the Saints.
Reading are back in league action this weekend when they host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday at the Select Car Leasing Stadium (12.30pm kick-off).
Southampton: Morris, Rafferty, Freeland, Williams (c), Wynne, Ward, Lloyd-Smith, Griffith,s Watling, Peake, Harris
Subs: Rendell, Mott, Kendall, Parnell, Pusey, Pharoah, Wilkinson, Rutherford
Reading: Burns, Bryson, Mukandi (c), Evans, Cooper, Vanhaevermaet, Troelsgaard, Rowe, Wade, Harries, Eikeland
Subs: Moloney, Poulter, Wellings, Dowie, Caldwell, Jane, Woodham, Primmer
Goals: Troelsgaard 4’, Wade 37’, Vanhaevermaet 59’
