2022–23 Reading F.C. Women season

The 2022–23 Reading F.C. Women season is the club's 16th season and their eighth in the FA Women's Super League, the highest level of the football pyramid.

Reading
2022–23 season
ManagerKelly Chambers
StadiumSelect Car Leasing Stadium
WSL12th
(Relegated)
FA CupQuarterfinal vs Chelsea
League CupGroup Stage
Top goalscorerLeague: Three Players (4)
All: Sanne Troelsgaard (8)

The season concluded with Reading F.C. Women finishing 12th place and being relegated. [1]

Season events

On 7 July, Reading announced that Deanna Cooper and Lily Woodham had both signed new two-year contracts with the club, whilst Tia Primmer also signed her first professional contract with the club, until the summer of 2024.[2]

On 20 July, Reading announced that Emma Mitchell had returned to the club and signed a one-year contract, following the birth of her daughter.[3] The following day, 21 July, Reading announced the signing of Brooke Hendrix from Melbourne Victory on a two-year contract.[4]

On 3 August, Reading announced the return of Becky Jane on a one-year contract after she'd left Charlton Athletic.[5]

On 4 August, Crystal Palace announced that Chloe Peplow had joined their club on loan from Reading for the season.[6]

On 5 August, Reading announced the double signing of Northern Ireland internationals Jacqueline Burns from BK Häcken and Glentoran respectively, and the signing of Charlie Wellings from Celtic.[7]

On 11 August, Reading announced the signing of Diane Caldwell after her contract with Manchester United expired at the end of the previous season.[8]

On 9 September, Readings opening day game against Liverpool, scheduled for 11 September, was postponed after the FA postponed all football fixtures from 9 – 11 September as a mark of respect following the death of Elizabeth II the previous day.[9]

On 28 January, Reading announced the return of Jade Moore on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season.[10]

On 31 January, Reading announced that Natasha Dowie had joined Liverpool on loan for the remainder of the season,[11] whilst also announcing the signing of Easther Mayi Kith from Kristianstad on a contract until the summer of 2024.[12]

On 2 February, Chloe Peplow ended her loan deal with Crystal Palace, and then joined Southampton on loan for the remainder of the season.[13]

On 4 February, Reading announced the signing of Tinaya Alexander from Montpellier.[14]

On 29 June, Reading announced the departure of 13 senior players following relegation, Hannah Poulter, Grace Moloney, Faye Bryson, Becky Jane, Emma Mukandi, Gemma Evans, Justine Vanhaevermaet, Chloe Peplow, Deanne Rose, Tinaya Alexander, Natasha Dowie and Emma Harries.[15] Rachel Rowe also confirmed her departure from the club later the same day on her Instagram page.[16]

Squad

As of match played 27 May 2023[17]
No.NameNationalityPositionDate of birth (Age)Signed fromSigned inContract endsApps.Goals
Goalkeepers
1Grace Moloney GK (1993-03-01)1 March 1993 (aged 30)Academy20092023[18]2240
25Jacqueline Burns GK (1997-03-06)6 March 1997 (aged 26)Unattached2022[7]120
30Hannah Poulter GK (2005-04-26)26 April 2005 (aged 18)Academy202100
Defenders
2Faye Bryson DF (1997-07-04)4 July 1997 (aged 25)Bristol City2021[19]2023[19]471
3Emma Mukandi DF (1992-09-19)19 September 1992 (aged 30)Arsenal20202023[3]431
5Gemma Evans DF (1996-08-01)1 August 1996 (aged 26)Bristol City2021[20]2023[20]521
14Deanna Cooper DF (1993-06-20)20 June 1993 (aged 29)Chelsea20202024[2]601
15Brooke Hendrix DF (1993-05-06)6 May 1993 (aged 30)Melbourne Victory2022[4]2024[4]90
16Easther Mayi Kith DF (1997-03-28)28 March 1997 (aged 26)Kristianstad2023[12]2024[12]100
17Diane Caldwell DF (1988-09-11)11 September 1988 (aged 34)Unattached2022[8]140
18Becky Jane DF (1996-08-06)6 August 1996 (aged 26)Unattached2022[5]2023[5]13722
28Lily Woodham DF (2000-09-03)3 September 2000 (aged 22)Bristol City20182024[2]680
31Bethan Roberts DF (2003-05-14)14 May 2003 (aged 20)Academy2019[21]2023[21]140
Midfielders
9Amalie Eikeland MF (1995-08-26)26 August 1995 (aged 27)Sandviken20191018
20Jade Moore MF (1990-10-22)22 October 1990 (aged 32)on loan from Manchester United2023[10]2023[10]698
23Rachel Rowe MF (1992-09-13)13 September 1992 (aged 30)Swansea City20152024[22]15618
27Justine Vanhaevermaet MF (1992-04-29)29 April 1992 (aged 31)LSK Kvinner2021[23]2023[23]488
33Freya Meadows-Tuson MFAcademy202100
35Mae Hunt MFAcademy202100
37Tia Primmer MF (2004-05-02)2 May 2004 (aged 19)Academy20212024[2]353
51Sanne Troelsgaard MF (1988-08-15)15 August 1988 (aged 34)Rosengård2021[24]2023[24]408
Forwards
6Deanne Rose FW (1999-03-03)3 March 1999 (aged 24)Florida Gators2021[25]2023[25]295
7Charlie Wellings FW (1998-05-18)18 May 1998 (aged 25)Celtic2022[7]265
11Lauren Wade FW (1993-11-22)22 November 1993 (aged 29)Glentoran2022[7]212
12Emma Harries FW (2002-03-29)29 March 2002 (aged 21)Academy2020646
19Tinaya Alexander FW (1999-04-15)15 April 1999 (aged 24)Montpellier2023[14]10
34Madison Perry FWAcademy202250
U21
Anne Thomann MFAcademy202100
Out on loan
4Chloe Peplow MF (1998-12-03)3 December 1998 (aged 24)Tottenham Hotspur2021[26]160
10Natasha Dowie FW (1988-06-30)30 June 1988 (aged 34)A.C. Milan2021[27]3611
Sophie Baigent DFAcademy202100
Left during the season

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
10FW  ENGNatasha Dowie (at Liverpool until end of the season.)

Transfers

In

DatePositionNationalityNameFromFeeRef.
21 July 2022DF Brooke HendrixMelbourne VictoryUndisclosed[4]
3 August 2022DF Becky JaneUnattachedFree[5]
5 August 2022GK Jacqueline BurnsUnattachedFree[7]
5 August 2022MF Lauren WadeGlentoranUndisclosed[7]
5 August 2022FW Charlie WellingsCelticUndisclosed[7]
11 August 2022MF Diane CaldwellUnattachedFree[8]
31 January 2023DF Easther Mayi KithKristianstadUndisclosed[12]
4 February 2023FW Tinaya AlexanderMontpellierUndisclosed[14]

Loans in

Start datePositionNationalityNameFromEnd dateRef.
28 January 2023MF Jade MooreManchester UnitedEnd of season[10]

Loans out

Start datePositionNationalityNameToEnd dateRef.
4 August 2022MF Chloe PeplowCrystal Palace2 February 2023[6][13]
31 January 2023FW Natasha DowieLiverpoolEnd of season[11]
2 February 2023MF Chloe PeplowSouthamptonEnd of season[13]
March 2023DF Sophie BaigentLondon BeesEnd of season

Released

DatePositionNationalityNameJoinedDateRef.
30 June 2023GK Hannah PoulterUSC Trojans[15][28]
30 June 2023GK Grace MoloneyLondon City Lionesses15 August 2023[15][29]
30 June 2023DF Faye BrysonCentral Coast Mariners23 September 2023[15][30]
30 June 2023DF Sophie BaigentLondon BeesAugust 2023[31]
30 June 2023DF Becky Jane[15]
30 June 2023DF Emma MukandiLondon City Lionesses17 August 2023[15][32]
30 June 2023DF Gemma EvansManchester United6 July 2023[15][33]
30 June 2023MF Justine VanhaevermaetEverton3 August 2023[15][34]
30 June 2023MF Chloe PeplowSouthampton7 July 2023[15][35]
30 June 2023MF Amalie EikelandSK Brann30 June 2023[15][36]
30 June 2023MF Rachel RoweRangers21 July 2023[16][37]
30 June 2023FW Deanne RoseLeicester City8 September 2023[15][38]
30 June 2023FW Tinaya AlexanderLondon City Lionesses4 August 2023[15][39]
30 June 2023FW Natasha DowieRetirement21 September 2023[15][40]
30 June 2023FW Emma HarriesWest Ham United2 August 2023[15][41]

Friendlies

7 August 2022 Friendly Bristol City 2–1 Reading Bristol
BST (UTC+1)Harrison 56'
T.Teisar 79' (pen.)
ReportWade 35'Stadium: Robins High Performance Centre
14 August 2022 Friendly Birmingham City 1–0 Reading Birmingham
14:00 BST (UTC+1)L.Smith 70'ReportStadium: St Andrew's
28 August 2022 Friendly Reading 3–2 Aston Villa Reading
BST (UTC+1)Mukandi 39'
Woodham 65'
Vanhaevermaet 72' (pen.)
ReportDaly 45', 85' (pen.)Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Attendance: 0
Note: Match played behind closed doors.

Competitions

Overview

CompetitionFirst matchLast matchStarting roundFinal positionRecord
PldWDLGFGAGDWin %
WSL17 September 202227 May 2023Matchday 112th2242162357−34018.18
FA Cup29 January 202319 March 2023Fourth roundQuarterfinal302135−2000.00
EFL Cup2 October 202216 December 2022Group StageGroup Stage320182+6066.67
Total2864183464−30021.43

Last updated: 27 May 2023
Source: Competitions

WSL

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
2232172357 −34113261223 −1100111134 −23

Last updated: 27 May 2023.
Source: FA WSL

Results by matchday

Matchday12345678910111213141516171819202122
GroundA[a]A[b]H[c]A[d]H[e]H[f]A[g]H[h]HAAHAHAHAHAHAH
ResultLLLLWLLDWLLLLWLDLLLLLL
Position12121111911111110101010119910101112121212
Updated to match(es) played on 27 May 2023. Source: Results
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed

Results

17 September 2022 2 Manchester United 4–0 Reading Leigh
12:00 BST (UTC+1)Le Tissier 4', 25'
Zelem 14' (pen.)
Russo 35'
ReportWoodham  65'Stadium: Leigh Sports Village
Attendance: 7,315
Referee: Abigail Byrne
25 September 2022 3 Brighton & Hove Albion 2–1 Reading Crawley
14:00 BST (UTC+1)Olme  20'
Terland  36'
Lee 40'
Robinson 80'
ReportCaldwell  11'
Wellings 90+4'
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: 5,220
Referee: Lauren Impey
16 October 2022 4 Reading 0–1 Arsenal Reading
18:45 BST (UTC+1)Primmer  41'
Woodham  45+2'
Cooper  63'
Bryson  90+7'
ReportBlackstenius 30'
Little 61'
McCabe  61'
Foord  64'
Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Attendance: 3,660
Referee: Louise Saunders
23 October 2022 5 West Ham United 3–2 Reading Dagenham
15:00 BST (UTC+1)Brynjarsdóttir 4'
Asseyi 22', 29'
Evans  61'
Stringer  77'
ReportEvans  35'
Cooper  59'
Wellings 75'  79'
Troelsgaard 82' (pen.)
Stadium: Chigwell Construction Stadium
Attendance: 1,041
Referee: Lauren Impey
30 October 2022 6 Reading 2–1 Leicester City Reading
14:00 GMT (UTC)Bryson  45+2'
Rowe  60' 90', 90+2'
Eikeland  75'
ReportSimon  31'
O'Brien  33'
Flint 36'
Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Attendance: 1,559
Referee: Emily Heaslip
6 November 2022 7 Reading 0–3 Manchester City Reading
14:00 GMT (UTC)Vanhaevermaet  12'ReportMukandi 53' (o.g.), 60' (o.g.)
Shaw 76'
Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Attendance: 1,911
Referee: Abigail Byrne
20 November 2022 8 Aston Villa 3–1 Reading Walsall
14:00 GMT (UTC)Daly 37', 45+2', 76' (pen.)ReportWade 7'
Burns  65'
Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: 4,566
Referee: Adam Herczeg
24 November 2022 1 Reading 3–3 Liverpool Reading
20:00 GMT (UTC)Primmer 45+4'
Dowie 63'
Troelsgaard 89'
ReportStengel 16', 68'
van de Sanden  31'
Roberts 73'
Kearns  75'
Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Attendance: 1,479
Referee: Amy Fearns
Note: Match was originally scheduled for 11 September, but postponed on 9 September as a mark of respect following the death of Elizabeth II.[9]
4 December 2022 9 Reading 1–0 Tottenham Hotspur Reading
12:30 GMT (UTC)Turner 12' (o.g.)ReportStadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Attendance: 1,052
Referee: Carl Brook
11 December 2022 10 Chelsea 3–2 Reading Kingston upon Thames
18:45 GMT (UTC)Kirby 16'
Čanković 29', 33'
ReportCooper  49'
Troelsgaard 60'
Eikeland 61'
Bryson  64'
Stadium: Kingsmeadow
Attendance: 1,184
Referee: Kirsty Dowle
15 January 2023 11 Everton 3–2 Reading Liverpool
13:00 GMT (UTC)Snoeijs 9'
Park 32'
George 61'
ReportVanhaevermaet 60'
Cooper 68'
Eikeland  85'
Stadium: Walton Hall Park
Attendance: 616
Referee: Tom Reeves
22 January 2023 12 Reading 0–1 Manchester United Reading
14:00 GMT (UTC)ReportZelem 40'
Williams 87'
Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Attendance: 5,108
Referee: Richie Watkins
5 February 2023 13 Liverpool 2–0 Reading Birkenhead
14:00 GMT (UTC)Kearns 62'
Holland 65'
ReportStadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 1,608
Referee: Jane Simms
5 March 2023 14 Reading 2–1 West Ham United Reading
14:00 GMT (UTC)Wellings 66'
Rowe 85'
ReportParker  57'
Asseyi 76'
Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Attendance: 1,125
Referee: Lisa Benn
12 March 2023 15 Arsenal 4–0 Reading Borehamwood
18:45 GMT (UTC)Little 4' (pen.)
Maanum 44'
Mukandi 47' (o.g.)
Williamson 69'
ReportMoloney  56'
Woodham  86'
Stadium: Meadow Park
Attendance: 3,964
Referee: Amy Fearn
26 March 2023 16 Reading 2–2 Brighton & Hove Albion Reading
14:00 BST (UTC+1)Harries 46', 60',  86'ReportSarri 8', 13'
D.Carter  90+2'
Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Attendance: 970
Referee: Robert Madley
2 April 2023 17 Leicester City 2–1 Reading Leicester
15:00 BST (UTC+1)Tierney 20'  74'
Mace  45+5'
Jones 90+6'
ReportWoodham  41'
Wellings 45'
Bryson  66'
Stadium: King Power Stadium
Attendance: 2,527
Referee: Richie Watkins
23 April 2023 18 Reading 2–3 Everton Reading
14:00 BST (UTC+1)Vanhaevermaet 2' (pen.), 17'
Rowe  45'
ReportBennison 41'
Snoeijs 62' (pen.)
Sørensen 83'
Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Attendance: 1,235
Referee: Louise Saunders
30 April 2023 19 Manchester City 4–1 Reading Manchester
14:00 BST (UTC+1)Kelly 15'
Shaw 24'
Hemp 47'
Houghton 70'
ReportTroelsgaard 1'
Primmer  4'
Caldwell  82'
Stadium: Academy Stadium
Attendance: 3,102
Referee: Amy Fearn
7 May 2023 20 Reading 0–5 Aston Villa Reading
14:00 BST (UTC+1)Vanhaevermaet  39'
Moore  47'
ReportDaly 14', 55', 63'
Lehmann 41'
Hanson 44'
Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Attendance: 1,250
Referee: Abigail Byrne
20 May 2023 21 Tottenham Hotspur 4–1 Reading Leyton
16:15 BST (UTC+1)England 29', 62'
Bartrip  39'
Ildhusøy 41'
Graham 75'
Spencer  84'
ReportMoore  49'
Cooper  57'
Vanhaevermaet 79'
Bryson  90+3'
Stadium: Brisbane Road
Referee: Emily Heaslip
27 May 2023 22 Reading 0–3 Chelsea Reading
14:00 BST (UTC+1)Cooper  3'ReportKerr 18', 88'
Reiten 42'
Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Referee: Rebecca Welch

Table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
8West Ham United2263132344−2121
9Tottenham Hotspur2253143147−1618
10Leicester City2251161548−3316
11Brighton & Hove Albion2244142663−3716
12Reading (R)2232172357−3411Relegation to the Championship
Source: Women's Super League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored.
(R) Relegated

FA Cup

29 January 2023 Fourth Round Leicester City 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(2–3 p)
Reading Burton upon Trent
16:00 GMT (UTC)Tierney 29'
Howard  87'
Cain 92'
Nevin  105+1'
ReportTroelsgaard 5'  29'
Moore  74'
Primmer  91'
Mukandi 102'
Stadium: Pirelli Stadium
Referee: Stacey Pearson
Penalties
Whelan
Cain
Plumptre
Eaton-Collins
Jones
Vanhaevermaet
Dowie
Mukandi
Cooper
26 February 2023 Fifth Round Tottenham Hotspur 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)
Reading Leyton
14:00 GMT (UTC)Spence  90+3'ReportStadium: Brisbane Road
Attendance: 572
Referee: Amy Fearn
Penalties
Spence
Graham
Harrop
Ildhusøy
Ayane
Vanhaevermaet
Mukandi
Eikeland
Nielsen
Wade
19 March 2023 Quarterfinal Reading 1–3 Chelsea Reading
14:00 GMT (UTC)Hendrix  25'
Bryson  45+3'
Troelsgaard  53' 70'
ReportCarter 23'
Mjelde 26' (pen.)
Reiten 51'
Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Attendance: 1,865
Referee: Carl Brook

League Cup

Group stage

2 October 2022 1 Reading 1–2 Tottenham Hotspur Reading
14:00 BST (UTC+1)Primmer  45+3'
Dowie 90+11' (pen.)
ReportCho 7'  57'
Karczewska 30'
Simon  90'
Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
Referee: Amy Fearns
27 November 2022 2 Southampton 0–3 Reading Southampton
14:00 GMT (UTC)ReportTroelsgaard 5'
Wade 38'
Vanhaevermaet 60'
Stadium: St Mary's Stadium
Attendance: 4,258
Referee: Louise Saunders
16 December 2022 3 Coventry United 0–4 Reading Coventry
19:00 GMT (UTC)ReportDowie 4', 26'
Troelsgaard 17'  45+2'
Wellings 64'
Bryson  66'
Stadium: Butts Park Arena
Referee: Phoebe Cross

PosTeamPldWWPENLPENLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Tottenham Hotspur3300082+69Advanced to knock-out stage
2Reading3200182+66Possible knock-out stage based on ranking
3Coventry United3100239−63
4Southampton3000306−60
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of wins; 5) Head-to-head record

PosGrpTeamPldWWPENLPENLGFGAGDPtsPPGQualification
1BLiverpool4300162+492.25Advanced to knock-out stage
2AManchester United42020115+682.00
3EReading3200182+662.00
4CBrighton & Hove Albion3200162+462.00
5DLewes3200162+462.00
Source: [citation needed]

Squad statistics

As of match played 27 May 2023

Appearances

No.PosNatPlayerTotalWSLFA CupLeague Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1GK  IRLGrace Moloney17012+103010
2DF  ENGFaye Bryson23010+701+202+10
3DF  SCOEmma Mukandi26120+103120
5DF  WALGemma Evans25017+202+1030
6FW  CANDeanne Rose302+100000
7FW  ENGCharlie Wellings26514+64301+21
9MF  NORAmalie Eikeland2812213030
11FW  NIRLauren Wade2126+910+302+11
12FW  ENGEmma Harries21213+32201+20
14DF  ENGDeanna Cooper17111+311020
15DF  USABrooke Hendrix902+50100+10
16DF  CMREasther Mayi Kith100802000
17DF  IRLDiane Caldwell1409+20002+10
18DF  ENGBecky Jane200+10000+10
19FW  ENGTinaya Alexander100+100000
20MF  ENGJade Moore1207+202+1000
23MF  WALRachel Rowe24317+133030
25GK  NIRJacqueline Burns1201000020
27MF  BELJustine Vanhaevermaet24518+242021
28DF  WALLily Woodham21014+203020
34FW  ENGMadison Perry500+500000
37MF  ENGTia Primmer21110+710+101+20
51MF  DENSanne Troelsgaard25813+742+1222
Players away from the club on loan:
10FW  ENGNatasha Dowie1447+310+102+13
Players who appeared for Reading but left during the season:

Goal scorers

PlacePositionNationNumberNameWSLFA CupLeague CupTotal
1MF 51Sanne Troelsgaard4228
2FW 7Charlie Wellings4015
MF 27Justine Vanhaevermaet4015
4FW 10Natasha Dowie1034
5MF 23Rachel Rowe3003
6FW 12Emma Harries2002
FW 11Lauren Wade1012
8MF 37Tia Primmer1001
MF 9Amalie Eikeland1001
DF 14Deanna Cooper1001
DF 3Emma Mukandi0101
Own goal1001
Total213832

Clean sheets

PlacePositionNationNumberNameWSLFA CupLeague CupTotal
1GK 25Jacqueline Burns1012
GK 1Grace Moloney0112
Total1124

Disciplinary record

NumberNationPositionNameWSLFA CupLeague CupTotal
1 GKGrace Moloney10000010
2 DFFaye Bryson50101070
5 DFGemma Evans10000010
7 FWCharlie Wellings10000010
9 MFAmalie Eikeland20000020
12 FWEmma Harries10000010
14 DFDeanna Cooper50000050
15 DFBrooke Hendrix00100010
17 DFDiane Caldwell20000020
20 MFJade Moore20100030
23 MFRachel Rowe20000020
25 GKJacqueline Burns01000001
27 MFJustine Vanhaevermaet20000020
28 DFLily Woodham40000040
37 MFTia Primmer20101040
51 MFSanne Troelsgaard00201030
Players away on loan:
Players who left Reading during the season:
Total3016030391

References