Everton Women 3-2 Reading Women: Hosts hold off fightback to win thriller

Everton were pushed all the way before beating Reading in an entertaining Women’s Super League game at Walton Hall Park.

First-half goals from Katja Snoejis and Jess Park put the hosts in control before Reading rallied after the break.

Justine Vanhaevermaet and Deanna Cooper scored for the visitors, either side of a beauty from Everton captain Gabby George, to set up an exciting finish.

Brian Sorensen’s team held on to move up to fifth in the table.

Everton went in front after nine minutes when Snoejis turned home George’s cross from the left after smart work from Park to create an opening.

Reading kept Everton pegged back for the next 20 minutes without posing much threat, but Everton doubled their lead on the break.

Park drove forward, played a one-two with Nicoline Sorensen and cut inside Reading defender Gemma Evans before finishing clinically with her left foot.

Sanne Troelsgaard wasted a glorious opportunity to hit back immediately after getting in down the left, but turned down the chance to shoot and, with three team-mates waiting to tap the ball into an empty net, picked out Amalie Eikeland, the only player in an offside position.

Reading halved the deficit with Vanhaevermaet’s powerful near-post header from Faye Bryson’s corner.

A minute later, though, George strode forward, cut inside on to her right foot and unleashed a venomous shot from 20 yards into the top corner.

Another set-piece brought Reading’s second, and a third goal in eight second-half minutes, with Cooper nodding home after a deep free-kick ricocheted into her path off Evans.

Despite chances for both sides late on, Reading could not force an equaliser and remain 10th – seven points clear of the relegation place.

Park and Bennison shine for Everton

While Reading enjoyed the territorial advantage for much of the first half, Everton were always in control.

Defensively they were well organised and resolute, limiting Reading to little more than the occasional half-chance – bar one lapse in concentration that allowed Troelsgaard in moments after the second goal.

In possession, though, Everton were far sharper. The passing was crisp and purposeful, leading to a number of presentable opportunities.

At the heart of it were the exciting Park and Hanna Bennison – aged 21 and 20 respectively – who were always looking to get Everton moving forward with an incisive pass or driving run.

Reading found a way back into the match from set-pieces, but Everton remained far more threatening from open play.

Although Park is set to return to Manchester City when her loan expires at the end of the season, Bennison’s development gives Everton plenty of reason for optimism.