Rachel Daly secured all three points for Aston Villa after scoring a hattrick to overcome their early set back against Reading in the Women’s Super League on Sunday, November 20 at Villa Park.
Reading took the lead inside seven minutes through Lauren Wade after slotting home the opener following Villa’s poor defending.
However, Daly equalised inside 37 minutes following Rachel Corsie’s cross before adding a second to her tally moments later.
A third was added to her tally in the second half after converting the penalty conceding by Jackie Burns, who saw red for a wreckless challenge on Kirsty Hanson.
The home side started brighter after Daly looked to slip the ball through to Kenza Dali following Hansons’s interception, but her effort drifted over the bar.
It was Reading who struck first inside seven minutes following a free kick. Villa failed to clear their lines, leaving it to Lauren Wade to slot home past the keeper.
Alisha Lehmann looked to instantly respond for her side after Dali wriggled through the away side’s defence, but her effort blazed over the bar.
Reading continued to attempt the counterattack, but Amalie Eikeland’s shot drifted into Anna Leat’s arms, safely ending the danger.
The home side finally made their breakthrough after Daly headed home captain Corsie’s cross, equalising inside 37 minutes.
A second soon came after Hanson won a corner which saw Dali placing the attempt on to the in-form Daly’s head claiming her second and putting her side 2-1 up at half time.
Reading came flying out of the traps upon second half as they won following Mayling’s interception, but the away side failed to capitalise.
It was Reading who blinked first, making a double substitution which saw Caldwell and goal scorer Wade make way for Faye Bryson and Deanna Cooper.
Burns saw red for clattering down Hanson who looked to take it past the keeper and slot it into an empty net, but Burns rushed out and denied the goal scoring opportunity.
After colliding with Burns, Hanson left the field, who was replaced by Freya Gregory and for Reading, keeper Grace Maloney came on to replace Tia Primmer.
The home side looked to break again through Daly but in her attempt, she was brought down earning herself a penalty, and calmly dispatched to secure her hattrick.
Villa continued to dominate, claiming all three points on their return to WSL action and move up to fifth place in the table.
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