Reading were pegged back by Everton in extra-time of the first of the weekend’s FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup quarter-final but then went through on penalties.
Kirsty Linnett’s goal-of-the-season contender in the first half of extra-time looked like it had sent Reading into the next round but Everton had other ideas and Chloe Kelly popped up to convert Gabrielle George’s clever pass in the second half of extra-time, reports fawsl.com
Linnett wasn’t to be denied though and she settled the game in the penalty shoot-out, converting the decisive kick.
Brooke Chaplen’s quick feet that nearly made the breakthrough for the Royals, as her jinky run into the penalty area lead to a Fara Williams effort on goal.
Earlier good work by the Blue Girls’ Kelly saw her crossing for striker Courtney Sweetnam-Kirk who failed to convert.
Reading began to create the better chances – firstly it looked like Remi Allen had bundled the ball over the line then Jo Potter went close.
As the temperatures plummeted the match continued into extra-time and a moment of individual brilliance.
Nothing looked on when Reading second-half substitute Linnett picked the ball up 30 yards out but nevertheless she took the ball on and unleashed a thunderbolt from range into the roof of the net.
Then Kelly passed into an empty net with Grace Moloney stranded, and brought on the penalties.
In the shoot-out Kelly and Danielle Turner’s penalties were saved by Moloney – Lauren Bruton missed for Reading before it was left to Linnett to finish things.
Attendance: 155
