Everton Ladies lose against Reading

Everton lost away to Reading 2-1, dashing all hopes for a chance to climb up the table this week.

Everton’s only win this season was a cup game against Reading in September, when Claudia Walker’s brace helped the Blues win 3-2 at home.

Interim coach Jen Herst has been opting for a 4-4-2 formation, as opposed to the 3 in the back former manager Andy Spence had been trying out this season.

U-20s player Sadie Mitchell got a chance at senior team experience but remained on the bench and Faye Bryson was dropped to the bench after last week’s loss against Arsenal:

Blues striker Hannah Cain scored in the 14th minute, off of an assist from Inessa Kaagman, both players new to the team this season. Woman of the Match, Cain, scored her first goal for the club.

Former Toffee Brooke Chaplen scored a brace to make 2-1, a goal in each half.

Everton Ladies still sit in last place in the relegation zone as their search for a full-time manager continues.

Before the game, Herst spoke to Everton.com about their relegation struggles:

“As a team, we have to be brave because if we aren’t, we are not going to move up the table. We have to show belief that we can get out of the position that we are in.

“A positive result could lift us off the bottom and that would be huge for the girls. Everyone is craving that moment and there is a real belief that if we do that then we can keep climbing further up the table.”

Up next

Everton play Liverpool on Sunday, a few hours before the men’s derby. The Blues play Liverpool Women AGAIN on Wednesday for the Continental Cup.

What better way to score some points than to do it against their Merseyside rivals?

CYBG!

Stats:

Possession:

Everton: 33%

Reading: 67%

Shots:

Everton: 8 (4 on Target)

Reading: 11 (7 on Target)