Over the past three years, trips to Royals’ residence have thrown up some exhilarating contests, including two seven-goal thrillers!
In our last four visits, City have triumphed 3-2, 4-3 and even 5-2!
Although uneventful in comparison(!), even last season’s 2-0 victory proved enjoyable, as Pauline Bremer continued her hot streak with a brace to continue our 100% away league record at Adams Park.
So, if those enthralling encounters are anything to go by at the Madejski Stadium this weekend, we’re guaranteed goals.
(Cue a 0-0 draw…)
Interestingly, City’s very first competitive fixture as a professional outfit actually took place against Reading – a 2-1 FA Women’s Cup home win in April 2014 – and what a ride it’s been since then: an exhilarating ascent to the top.
Ahead of Sunday’s intriguing meeting, we look back at three scintillating away triumphs…
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Reading 2-3 City, May 2017
City produced an incredible comeback to claim our first win of the one-off FA Women’s Spring Series.
Nick Cushing’s side came from 2-1 down to triumph, thanks to a Nikita Parris double and a header from substitute Jill Scott.
Super sub Megan Campbell inspired the victory, coming off the bench and creating two assists within minutes, courtesy of her outrageous long throw-ins.
A Jade Moore screamer and Lauren Bruton penalty had handed the hosts the lead, after Parris had opened the scoring early on, but the reigning League Champions rallied to turn the game on its head for a second time.
Reading 2-5 City, January 2018
New signing Nadia Nadim netted a debut goal as City kicked off 2018 with a 5-2 victory in the FA Women’s Super League.
The Danish striker opened her account within six minutes to give City the lead, before Claire Emslie, Izzy Christiansen and two-goal Scott struck to secure all three points.
Picked out by Parris’ centre, Nadim powered home a header from eight yards and then turned provider for Emslie, who galloped clear and calmly slotted a second.
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The Royals were undeterred however and scored twice in seven minutes to level the score.
Remi Allen capitalised on Abbie McManus’ hesitancy to score from close range before Brooke Chaplen arrowed an effort into the bottom right corner from 20 yards.
Christiansen ensured City went in ahead at the break, after good work from Parris. The England midfielder arrived late in the penalty area and her deflected effort completed the scoring in an action-packed first half.
Scott confirmed the three points with two goals in two minutes, arcing a header into the far corner for her first, before she arrived at the backpost to tap home Emslie’s low cross.
Reading 3-4 City, March 2019
A first-half Parris hat-trick helped City to a thrilling 4-3 league win.
Fresh from SheBelieves Cup glory with England, the Lionesses striker completed a devastating first-half display with three clinical finishes inside the box.
The hosts had initially taken the lead early on thanks to a strike from Chaplen, before Parris replied within ten minutes after being sent through over the top by Scott.
The striker then added two more strikes with half-time approaching, taking a touch and smashing in her second after good work by Demi Stokes down the left, before getting on the end of a Scott through-ball to claim the match ball within 40 minutes.
Stokes made it 4-1 nine minutes after the break but Cushing’s side had to endure a nervy finish, as Reading fought back to 4-3 late on, courtesy of a Fara Williams’ penalty and Kirsty Pearce tap-in.
Will we witness another goalfest on Sunday?
Time will tell...
