Reading suffered a humbling 5-0 defeat against promotion-contenders Southampton in the Barclays Women’s Championship.
Despite showing promise in their recent victory over fourth-placed Charlton, the Royals couldn’t replicate that performance against another formidable opponent from the upper echelons of the league.
At halftime, the visitors found themselves trailing 3-0, and two additional goals from Sophie Pharoah in the second half sealed their defeat on the southern coast.
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Southampton took the lead deservedly when Katie Wilkinson headed in Megan Collett’s cross.
Although Reading had a decent opportunity through Jesse Woolley early on, they couldn’t capitalize.
Wilkinson continued to trouble Reading, assisting Ella Morris for the second goal and then scoring herself from an Atlanta Primus delivery, effectively securing the win within the first 35 minutes.
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The second half was largely dominated by Southampton, with Pharoah scoring twice to extend the lead to 5-0.
Reading will have an immediate chance to bounce back when they face Birmingham on Wednesday night.
