Reading Women 5-0 Woodley United Ladies: Match Report

Tia Johnson’s first-half hat-trick helped Reading Women continue their good run of league form, with a resounding 5-0 victory over Woodley United at Arbour Park, Slough on Sunday. Keren Banduka’s sixth goal of the season gave the Royals a comfortable lead at the break, with a second-half penalty from Mia Parker wrapping up a convincing performance in front of a bumper crowd. It was a success off the pitch too, where fans turned up in large numbers to lend their support, make the most of the Community Day celebrations and raise funds for Breast Cancer Now .

Pre-match, fans were able to enjoy a host of activities, with a chance for aspiring young Royals to meet the players in a signing session, and enough cake on hand to feed a small army, while being treated to a footballing masterclass on the pitch from Reading. Although Woodley United find themselves at the wrong end of the table – just three points above Badshot Lea in the relegation place battle – their recent form had been good, with a 2-1 victory over Sholing just a couple of weeks ago and a narrow 1-0 defeat last weekend, against in-form side Southampton Women. It was the first meeting of the two Berkshire teams this season.

In the reverse fixture, back in October, Reading were awarded all three points (officially recorded as an ‘away walkover’) after Woodley were unable to field a team. It was also the first time Reading had beaten Woodley since their relegation to tier five. Last season’s results saw the Royals lose 3-2 in the corresponding fixture at Arbour Park, and a 90th-minute equaliser from Maya Raghunandan was required to secure a 3-3 draw at Bulmershe Pavilion, in what was a dramatic and exciting match in March 2025.

It’s a different Royals team this season, with different aims and aspirations, as demonstrated not only in this display, but also in recent performances, including last weekend’s clash – and well earned 1-1 draw – against title-chasers AFC Portchester. There were four changes from last weekend’s starting XI. Sophie Butler was back between the posts (in place of the also excellent Scarlett Bowcott).