Durham 0 Reading 5

DURHAM forward Jordan Atkinson has vowed that her side will come back fitter and stronger following the World Cup break after falling to a 5-0 defeat against FA WSL2 pacesetters Reading.

The impressive Emma Follis opened and ended the scoring, Kirsty McGee and Lois Roche struck in the second half while Wildcats defender Jen Jennings also scored an unfortunate own goal.

Durham have collected two wins from nine in FA WSL2 so far, but Atkinson believes hard work can change her side’s fortunes.

“After Reading went 2-0 up, we had to push on and they scored a few near the end,” she said. “We have a break now and we need to work hard and come back stronger.

“We have a lot of injuries and tired players and the break comes at a good time – We need to come back fighting.

“Our aim at the start of the season obviously wasn’t to be as low as we are in the table, we’re better than this. We need to get our heads together now, work hard and come back as a team.”

Follis got in behind the home defence and beat Anna Moorhouse for her sixth goal of the season in the fourth minute.

However, Durham threatened an immediate response when Jordan Atkinson tried to play in Courtney Corrie but keeper Grace Moloney came out smartly.

Reading then went close at the end of the second half Moorhouse saving superbly from Laura-May Walkley’s long-range shot before Follis fired wide.

The Royals added to their lead on the hour as Moorhouse spilled Roche’s free-kick, with McGee backheeling the ball into an empty net.

Follis set up Reading’s third in the 79th minute when her cross from the right was turned into her own goal by Jennings.

Three minutes from time Roche blasted into the top corner for Reading’s fourth, before Follis completed her brace at the death.

It means Reading now have seven victories in FA Women’s Super League with BT Sport this year already – and McGee is adamant that winning trend is set to continue.

She said: “It was really good, we’re progressing from each game and getting stronger and stronger. It’s great to be going into the break at the top of the league.

“The first half was difficult with the wind but the second half we came out and dominated.

“Keeping that clean sheet is very important and allied to scoring five goals, that win’s good for our goal difference.

“It leaves us in a really positive position going into the break for the World Cup.”

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