Harding and Coombs fire as impressive Ladies sink Reading
Goals from Natasha Harding and Laura Coombs helped an impressive Liverpool Ladies to a 2-0 win over Reading Women in the Women's Super League at the Select Security Stadium in Widnes on Saturday evening.
Scott Rogers' charges played some great football at times as they climbed to third place in the table ahead of the remaining weekend fixtures.
After fielding an experimental line-up during the Continental Cup victory over Everton last weekend, the manager reverted back to the team that did brilliantly to earn a deserved point in their previous league outing against Manchester City.
Backed by their wonderful support, who never stopped singing throughout the encounter, Liverpool Ladies started brightly.
They had a chance in the opening three minutes when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. Coombs took the responsibility and was unlucky to see her curled effort land just past the post.
Shanice van de Sanden then set off on a great run down the right and when she found Caroline Weir in space, the No.10 was unlucky to see her effort charged down and cleared.
Reading, last season's Women's Super League 2 champions, then came so close to the opening goal on 15 minutes as Emma Follis let fly with a rasping drive from 25 yards out that beat Siobhan Chamberlain but came back off the bar.
Two minutes later, the Reds were in front - Harding ran clear and finished well to net her first goal for the club.
It soon became 2-0 on 24 minutes, and what a goal it was. Weir fed Coombs with a superb pass and the No.8 ran through and produced a delightful finish beyond the reach of Mary Earps.
It could and perhaps should have been 3-0 on 34 minutes when a pinpoint free-kick from Weir found Rosie White unmarked but her miscued header drifted well wide.
Reading then had a great chance through Jade Boho-Sayo, only for her effort to be superbly kept out by the agility of Chamberlain.
On the stroke of half-time a lovely pass from Coombs sent Van De Sanden racing through, but as Earps came out to narrow the angle, the No.11 saw her attempt drift away from goal.
The second 45 minutes continued to be entertaining, with both sides wanting to attack at every opportunity.
Chamberlain has proved to be an inspirational capture by Rogers and the goalkeeper again showed her qualities with a brilliant save to deny Follis.
Then, at the other end, Van De Sanden raced into the penalty area but her final touch was heavy and the ball sailed wide.
The Royals hit the woodwork for a second time on 63 minutes when an Amber Stobbs effort was pushed onto the post by another fine stop by Chamberlain.
With Gemma Bonner, Satara Murray, Sophie Ingle and Alex Greenwood outstanding at the back, another clean sheet will give the team a lot of confidence.
Rogers' charges will be hoping to continue their excellent form when they are back on home turf next Saturday, hosting Notts County at 5.30pm BST.
Liverpool Ladies: Chamberlain, Greenwood, Murray, Ingle, Bonner, Longhurst, Coombs, White (Zelem 71), Van De Sanden (Hodson 86), Harding (Charles 82), Weir. Subs not used: Gibbons, Harris, Van Den Berg, Green.