Reading Women overturned a two-goal deficit at half-time to secure a 5-3 win against Chesham United in a rain-soaked match at The Meadow on Sunday. After trailing 3-1, the Royals scored four unanswered goals in the second half to complete the comeback.
Chesham United started strongly, with Holly Fitzgerald and Ruby Slade scoring within two minutes of each other to give the hosts a 2-0 lead. Alice Curr pulled one back for Reading in the 27th minute, but Chesham restored their two-goal cushion when Henrietta Cunnison headed home from a corner in the 32nd minute. The first half was further disrupted when Reading’s Leah Why, who had scored a hat-trick the previous weekend, went off injured and was taken to hospital for tests.
The Royals responded after the break with Bethan Poole scoring in the 48th minute to reduce the deficit. Nat Cowell then scored twice within two minutes, in the 52nd and 54th, to put Reading ahead for the first time in the match. Ellie Luscombe added a fifth goal in the 63rd minute, sealing the victory.
The conditions were challenging throughout, with torrential rain falling during the game. Despite the wet weather, Reading showed resilience and strength to claim their second consecutive away league win of the season.
Chesham United have been adjusting to life in tier five following their relegation from the National League Division One South East. Their 2025/26 campaign was difficult, with only one league win. This season, they have recorded just two victories, both against Woodley United — a 3-2 league win and a 4-1 FA Cup triumph before being eliminated in the third qualifying round by Royston Town.
Reading’s manager Ed Jackson-Norris made four changes to the starting XI from their previous match against Sholing. Alice Curr, Bethan Poole, Sophie Bishop, and captain Mia Parker came into the side. Sarah Thompson missed out due to injury, while Bogi Tramontini was on international duty. New signing Macey-Nikiah Walters was included for the first time, and Keren Banduka appeared among the substitutes for the second time.
Sophie Bishop returned to Chesham after leaving the club in the summer to join Reading. The teenage striker had scored six goals in seven matches this season before Sunday’s game, adding pace and energy to Reading’s attack alongside Curr and Cowell.
Reading began the match brightly, earning two early corners and creating chances. Cowell’s half-volley narrowly missed, and a Curr set-piece forced a Chesham clearance off the line. However, Chesham struck first when Emma Bebbington delivered a free-kick into Reading’s penalty area. The ball bounced off goalkeeper Sophie Butler, allowing Fitzgerald to score from close range.
Less than a minute later, Butler was unable to hold a cross, enabling Slade to score Chesham’s second goal. Despite these early setbacks, Reading kept pressing. Curr’s goal came after a clever pass from Keziah Banduka to Bishop, then Curr drove into the penalty area to finish past Chesham goalkeeper Lucy McNamee.
Chesham scored a third goal just before half-time through Cunnison’s header, making it 3-1. The first half also saw Leah Why leave the pitch injured after receiving treatment from Reading’s coaching staff.
In the second half, Poole’s goal gave Reading new momentum. Cowell’s brace turned the match in Reading’s favour before Luscombe’s strike in the 63rd minute put the result beyond doubt.
Chesham received three yellow cards during the match, shown to Victoria Collett, Mehak Khanna, and Henrietta Cunnison. Reading avoided any bookings.
The game was delayed by an unusual midweek fixture situation where Reading’s Combined Counties Cup tie against Penn & Tylers Green was forfeited by the opposition, giving Reading a seven-day wait before Sunday’s match.
Reading’s final lineup was Sophie Butler in goal; defenders Bethan Poole, Lara Moore, and Keziah Banduka; midfielders Ellie Szekeres (substituted by Martha Riley in the 70th), Mia Parker (captain, replaced by Freya Morgan in the 65th), Ellie Luscombe, and Leah Why (substituted by Poppy Whitburn in the 38th); forwards Sophie Bishop (replaced by Macey-Nikiah Walters in the 65th), Nat Cowell (substituted by Keren Banduka in the 70th), and Alice Curr.
The goals for Reading came from Curr (27’), Poole (48’), Cowell (52’, 54’), and Luscombe (63’). Chesham’s goals were scored by Fitzgerald (22’), Slade (23’), and Cunnison (32’).
According to Yahoo Sports.