Heartbreaker for Everton Ladies as Continental Cup campaign comes to an end

The Everton Ladies will not be advancing to the semifinals of the Continental Cup, but it wasn’t due to lack of effort. The Ladies played hard against an in-form Reading team that were equal to them the entire match. The Blue Girls were without one of their mainstays due to injury, Claudia Walker, a player that helped them progress to the quarterfinals.

Coach Andy Spence opted to go with goalkeeper Kirstie Levell and had a few surprise additions on the bench. Elise Hughes and Emma Doyle, teenagers from the development squad, served as unused substitutes.

After 90 minutes, the score was 0-0 but the Toffees had a few shots on goal, notably from Dan Turner, Chloe Kelly, and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk.

Reading started out extra time with a goal in the fourth minute from forward Kirsty Linnett.

Chloe Kelly responded in the 21st minute by scoring off a pass from captain Dan Turner, making it 1-1 and sending the game into a penalty shootout.

Everton goalie Levell saved one kick while Reading goalkeeper saved two of Everton’s penalties.

Woman of the Match:

Kirstie Levell had at least 3 crucial saves during the game and a big one during the shootout.

Next up:

Everton will start out 2018 with a game against Bristol City on January 6th.

The Ladies will face Reading again on February 11th in the WSL and they will be looking to even the score then. The Royals currently sit a spot above the Blue Girls on the table.