by
Rachel Rowe scored a superb late winner as Reading picked up their first points of 2023 with victory over West Ham at Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Charlie Wellings’ drive into the far corner from 14 yards gave Reading the lead halfway through the second half.
Viviane Asseyi equalised when she poked home a stunning curling cross from substitute Izzy Atkinson.
However, Rowe drove into the top corner from 20 yards, despite Mackenzie Arnold getting her fingertips to the shot.
The win sees Reading open up a four-point gap on the league’s only relegation spot which is currently occupied by Leicester, who were beaten by Manchester United earlier on Sunday.
It also sees them climb above Tottenham, Tottenham, who lost at Manchester City, and Brighton, who are not playing this weekend.
Kelly Chambers’ side have played a game more than Leicester and Tottenham and three more than Brighton though so remain in trouble.
West Ham started the game strongly with Honoka Hayashi, Amalie Threstrup and Lucy Parker all having efforts saved by the impressive Grace Moloney.
Reading grew into the game with Wellings volleying a glorious chance from five yards over the bar at the end of the first half.
The opening exchanges of the second half were scrappy with both sides lacking quality and confidence.
The first goal came after Rowe controlled a cross from the left and laid off for Wellings to fire home her third league goal of the season.
West Ham’s deserved equaliser was a moment of class from Atkinson, her ball cutting out the entire Reading defence to allow Asseyi to score the Hammers’ first league goal of the calendar year.
Rowe’s late curler sparked joy among the Reading players, coaching staff and fans – and it could prove to have been a crucial moment as the season draws to a close over the next three months.
Line-ups
Reading Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Moloney
- 2Bryson
- 16Mayi Kith
- 5Evans
- 3Mukandi
- 20Moore
- 27Vanhaevermaet
- 9Eikeland
- 12HarriesSubstituted forTroelsgaardat 70′minutes
- 23Rowe
- 7Wellings
Substitutes
- 11Wade
- 15Hendrix
- 17Caldwell
- 25Burns
- 33Meadows-Tuson
- 51Troelsgaard
West Ham Women
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Arnold
- 3Shimizu
- 23Cissoko
- 22Fisk
- 2Smith
- 8SnerleSubstituted forAtkinsonat 70′minutes
- 15ParkerBooked at 57minsSubstituted forFilisat 83′minutes
- 12Longhurst
- 26Asseyi
- 19Hayashi
- 14ThestrupSubstituted forEvansat 79′minutes
Substitutes
- 7Evans
- 11Atkinson
- 17Filis
- 18Denton
- 21Cooke
- 28Hillyerd
- 33Houssein
Live Text
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Match ends, Reading Women 2, West Ham United Women 1.
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Second Half ends, Reading Women 2, West Ham United Women 1.
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Corner, West Ham United Women. Conceded by Faye Bryson.
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Attempt blocked. Izzy Atkinson (West Ham United Women) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Corner, West Ham United Women. Conceded by Amalie Eikeland.
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Foul by Risa Shimizu (West Ham United Women).
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Rachel Rowe (Reading Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Melisa Filis (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Rachel Rowe (Reading Women).
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Grace Fisk (West Ham United Women) hits the bar with a header from the centre of the box. Assisted by Kirsty Smith with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, West Ham United Women. Conceded by Faye Bryson.
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Honoka Hayashi (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Amalie Eikeland (Reading Women).
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Offside, Reading Women. Charlie Wellings tries a through ball, but Sanne Troelsgaard is caught offside.
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Goal! Reading Women 2, West Ham United Women 1. Rachel Rowe (Reading Women) right footed shot from outside the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Charlie Wellings.
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Corner, West Ham United Women. Conceded by Emma Mukandi.
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Substitution, West Ham United Women. Melisa Filis replaces Lucy Parker.
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Kate Longhurst (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Easther Mayi Kith (Reading Women).
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Attempt blocked. Sanne Troelsgaard (Reading Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
