Ladies: Reading 1-2 Arsenal - Report

By Lloyd Webb at Adams Park

Summary

Arsenal Ladies returned to winning ways with a hard-fought victory against Reading on Wednesday evening.

The Gunners ended a run of two consecutive Women's Super League defeats thanks to Jordan Nobbs’ first-half strike, followed by Dominique Janssen’s precise header on the hour mark.

The hosts managed to pull one back with 12 minutes remaining through Emma Follis, but the visitors held on for a deserved three points.

Setting the scene

Pedro Martinez Losa made four changes to his side following the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea six days earlier.

Josephine Henning was handed her Arsenal debut, while Katie McCabe made her first WSL start.

Reading included former Gunners Amber Stobbs, Laura May-Walkley and Lauren Bruton in their squad.

First half

Losa’s side made a subdued start, with half chances for Vicky Losada and McCabe the closest they came during the opening exchanges.

Nobbs then took matters into her own hands on the half-hour mark, rifling past Grace Moloney from outside the box to give the Gunners the lead.

Dan Carter came close to adding a second six minutes later after she skipped past three defenders, but Moloney denied her a wonderful solo goal.

Natalia thought she had doubled the visitors' advantage moments before the break when she escaped her marker and chipped home, but the offside flag was raised.

Second half

Arsenal remained in control after the restart, and soon added a second through Janssen’s near-post header following a well-worked corner.

Reading began to work their way back into the game, and the visitors were indebted to Sari Van Veenendaal as she made a number of good saves.

The goalkeeper couldn’t keep the hosts at bay though, as Follis curled an effort into the bottom corner to give the home fans new-found hope.

Arsenal substitute Asisat Oshoala broke on the counter and rounded the keeper, but could not get her attempt on target but it didn't matter as Losa’s side claimed an important three points.