Our rundown of the top 10 WSL games of the season continues. This time it’s a big win for Reading at Rush Green.
With the WSL season brought to an end as a result of Covid-19, we at Her Football Hub are counting down the top 10 games from the WSL season. At number five is West Ham 2-3 Reading from November 24.
Everything that could go wrong went wrong for Reading when they visited the Irons in November. Well, until the last 15 minutes that is.
This game had everything.
West Ham Start Bright
It took just four minutes for West Ham to take the lead against Reading. German free-kick specialist Katharina Baunach gave the Hammers the lead.
The former Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg player curled an indirect free-kick right into the top corner, giving goalkeeper Grace Moloney no chance.
West Ham didn’t look at all challenged in the first half. A frustration started to bubble under the surface of the Royals.
It all culminated in Rachel Rowe’s sending off. The Welsh international figuratively, then literally, saw red.
In the final minute of injury time in the first half, Rowe retaliated to a challenge by Cecilie Kvamme. She shoved the Norwegian down and the referee saw fit to give Rowe her marching orders.
This gave West Ham the opportunity to take heed of the player advantage. Leanne Kiernan doubled the Hammers’ advantage 20 minutes into the second half. It seemed as though there was no way back for Reading.
A Royal Miracle
Ten minutes later, Reading were given a lifeline, with Kristine Liene getting on the end of a messy corner.
The Norwegian made no mistake as she tapped home, sparking new life in Kelly Chambers’ team.
A minute later they were level after a wonderfully weighted ball from Fara Williams put Brooke Chaplen one-on-one with Anna Moorhouse. Chaplen calmly slotted the ball under the goalkeeper to bring them level.
Reading wouldn’t settle for a point though, despite their comeback against all odds they were determined to go one step further.
Another Williams corner poorly cleared by Kiernan fell straight into the path of Jade Moore on the edge of the six-yard box. She thumped the ball into the back of the net winning the game with less than 10 minutes left.
A fantastic comeback that should live long in the memories of both Reading and West Ham fans, although for very different reasons.
Watch highlights from the game here or visit the FA Player to watch the full 90.
Our 2019/20 Best WSL Games List so far:
10. Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal, October 13, 2019.
9. Manchester United 0-1 Bristol City, January 5, 2020.
8. West Ham 3-2 Manchester United, December 1, 2019.
7. Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United, September 7, 2019.
6. Liverpool 2-3 Arsenal, February 13, 2020.
5. West Ham 2-3 Reading, November 24, 2019.
