That is all from me this evening, thank you for joining me for this 21/22 season opener!
Manchester United were clinical in the moments that mattered to defeat Reading 2-0. Hanson and Batlle the scorers to start Marc Skinner’s reign at United perfectly.
There is of course more WSL action to come this weekend.
On Saturday: Aston Villa vs Leicester City, Everton vs Manchester City, Tottenham vs Birmingham City.
On Sunday: Arsenal vs Chelsea, Brighton vs West Ham.
Report: Man Utd 2-0 Reading
Suzanne Wrack was at Leigh Sports Village to witness the opening action from the WSL season.
To catch up or relive all the action read her report here:
Chambers on that Chaplen ghost goal...
She told Sky: “I thought it was in. I think it would have changed the game. We built momentum from that. If that stood it would’ve been a different game.
“My back four defended well. Gemma Evans was outstanding. We just need to make sure we keep building on that.”
Marc Skinner speaks after first United win.
He told Sky: “It’s hard work in progress. The players have given me a lot since I have come in. Casey left us a wonderful foundation for us to build.
“Toone has this talent to turn and find pockets playing forward. We knew we could hurt Reading between those lines.”
Kirsty Hanson and Hannah Blundell speak.
Hanson tells Sky: “It was a tough start, they put a lot of pressure on us. we started being more patient in the final third and we got the goals.
“We have a lot of forwards so we want to make an impact, delighted. We know Toone is brilliant on the ball, we do that all the time in training.”
And Blundell added: “Keeping clean sheets will win us Championships. I’m loving it here, the togetherness we have is showing on the pitch.”
FT: Man Utd 2-0 Reading
Lots of debate around that match, especially Chaplen’s ghost goal just after half-time.
Was it a goal? It may have been but with no VAR in the WSL we will never know for certain.
What do you think?
Full-time: Man Utd 2-0 Reading
The 21/22 WSL season has officially opened and what a start it was.
Reading had full control of the first half until the dying minutes when Hanson struck to put her side ahead.
At the break the hosts stood at 1-0 and Reading were keen to even the score.
Chaplen had the best chance for the visitors as her attempt smacked the cross bar in the second half.
However, Reading’s dreams were crushed as Batlle doubled United’s lead with a sensational strike.
The home team closed out the match to get their campaign and Marc Skinner’s reign off to a perfect start.
Updated
90 + 3 min: United free kick sees Moloney collect and the full-time whistle goes.
90 + 2 min: A late United corner sees their danger strike again as Moloney watches the ball sail past her goal.
Close but not close enough for United.
90 min: Three added minutes
Updated
88 min: United corner as Zelem takes the shot.
The attempt comes to Groenen’s feet who’s shot goes wide.
Kirsty Hanson has been named Player of the Match.
83 min: Almost a dream debut for Thomas as she gets in front of goal.
But before she can get a shot away she is ruled offside.
80 min: Heart in the mouth moment as a Reading defensive blunder sees the ball roll across an open goal.
Galton can’t quite get to the ball to capitalise.
78 min: United won a corner and the attempt bounced past the players but rebounded off a Reading star for another corner.
The second attempt is equally wasted and Reading counter.
75 min: United sub
Boe Risa is off for Russo.
74 min: Reading have started to build in the last few minutes but they spill the ball to United.
It’s also been great to hear from all of you on email and through Twitter. I see all of you and it’s great fans are so excited by the WSL.
71 min: United had a free kick as Hanson was fouled.
Boe Risa took the shot with a short pass to Zelem.
The chance is missed as a Reading player is fouled.
Reading sub now as Joen comes on for Harding.
66 min: United substitute.
Ella Toone and Lucy Staniforth makes way for Jackie Groenen and Martha Thomas.
64 min: So close from Galton!
Hanson sailed the ball to her teammate who can’t get a head to it.
Maybe a blessing in disguise as she was ruled offside.
64 min: When United get on the front foot, the danger is so threatening I’m holding my breath!
They are poising an attack, can they find their third of the evening?
60 min: The delivery from Chaplen is poor as it lands on top of the goal.
Reading won’t have many opportunities like that and it’s a wasted position for them.
59 min: Reading corner
Can they get one back?
56 min: Reading have to be frustrated with this game.
They have been calling the shots apart from two moments where United have scored.
GOAL: Man Utd 2-0 Reading
54 min: Unbelievable from Batlle!
A fantastic strike sees Moloney not having any chance of saving that.
Another assist from Toone.
Updated
50 min: What. A. Strike!
Chaplen fired the ball on target but it smacked the bar and bounced on the line.
Of course there is no VAR in the WSL and so it’s not a goal. It looked marginally over!
Updated
49 min: Reading given the ball after great play by Rowe.
United haven’t ran away with this one yet, with the visitors still having a hand in the match.
47 min: Hanson remaining in the game after that clatter to the face.
46 min: Right from the off United are showing what they can do.
Blundell and Boe Risa doing well to get in a good position but it comes to nothing.
As Reading went on the counter through Rowe, Hanson is caught by her elbow. She is still on the ground.
Back underway
And the second half is here!
Will Reading be able to bounce back from going a goal down or will United stride away with this?
Do you think Hanson enjoyed that one?
Half-time: Man Utd 1-0 Reading
What a start to the season!
Reading were in complete control of the first 35 minutes with chances coming from Eikeland and Chaplen.
Chambers would be happy with her defensive front as well, with Cooper shining.
However, the danger United pose showed its face and Toone passed to Hanson who slotted home in the 38th.
There’s more to come but the momentum has swung in United’s direction.
⏸ We lead at the break! 💪#MUWomen | #FAWSL pic.twitter.com/o97Q7fvZrE
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) September 3, 2021
Updated
45 min: Two minutes added
44 min: A ball from Zelem has struck Cooper in the head.
She seemed daze but she remains on the pitch.
40 min: You have to feel for Reading, who arguably have had control of the match until this point.
The danger of United never went away and they have capitalised, much to the crowd’s delight.
GOAL: Man Utd 1-0 Reading
38 min: A ball from Toone to Hanson sees her slot the ball into the right hand corner past Moloney.
A great goal and the first of the season!
Updated
37 min: Staniforth gets a shot away after great build-up play but it goes over the bar.
United are making an impact but they haven’t taken control of the game yet.
Yellow card for United's Staniforth
35 min: Staniforth received that for a challenge on Harding’s ankle.
The crowd booed and Staniforth protested but the yellow stands
34 min: Boe Risa strikes an awful corner but United keep the ball.
33 min: United corner after several attempts at goal.
It was a long possession of ball and a thoroughly deserved set-piece for the home side.
30 min: Play back underway after that break.
Bryson back on her feet and remains playing in this opener.
Updated
28 min: Bryson is down with an injury.
She was hobbling a few minutes ago and now a medic has come onto the field.
27 min: When will the 0-0 deadlock be broken?
A few shots for both sides have not been finished off and it’s clear both team’s defence is better than their attack so far.
22 min: Zelem takes the shot but it sails over her teammates.
United keep possession and an absolute shocking keeper error nearly but the home side ahead.
Moloney came out of goal as the ball was passed to Hansen who’s shot went over the bar.
This game is heating up!
Updated
21 min: United have a free kick just outside of the box...
18 min: Cooper has just stopped a clear chance for United as Toone was fed the ball in front of goal.
Cooper interrupted the ball and cleared. Reading now on the counter!
This one is heating up.
16 min: Zelem heads the ball away after another wasted opportunity from Reading.
United weathering the storm at the moment, can they keep this up?
Still 0-0 at Leigh Sports Village.
15 min: The attempt is punched clear from Earps but forces another corner
15 min: Reading have a corner as Blundell defends a shot form Eikeland.
12 min: Reading had a free kick but the ball ended at Blundell’s feet and she raced off in a counter-attack.
Unfortunately for United, Blundell couldn’t get a pass away and Bryson covered well.
9 min: Reading have got a lot stronger in this fixture, as they build attacking play.
However, United are showing their danger as when they regain possession all the momentum switches.
If Reading can continue this tempo they will take the game to United, if not we are in for a few goals...
4 min: An early chance from Chaplen just sails over the bar.
United have been giving Reading space to move and after that attempt they’ll be sure to be more concise.
2 min: Both teams building in this one but United are the stronger side so far.
There was a nervous moment for Reading as Cooper didn’t clear the ball from their box but she controlled possession to keep her team safe.
Kick-off!
Here we go!
The 21/22 season is underway, who do you have for this one?
Marc Skinner and Kelly Chambers speaks ahead of kick-0ff
Skinner told Sky: “It’s wonderful. I can’t express how wonderful it is being in front of our fans again.
“We must make sure we are on our game defensively and offensively.”
And Chambers added: “We’re excited, a little bit of nerves. Natasha Dowie is nursing a little knock at the minute and we are hoping she will be available for Arsenal.
“Justine Vanhaevermaet isn’t over here yet but we’re hoping to have her for Arsenal.”
Updated
15 minutes to go until the WSL opener in what is set to be a thrilling season!
Who is going to win this match?
United may be favourites but it may not go their way as they have a new manager in Marc Skinner. While Reading have their long-standing boss in Kelly Chambers.
Reading have now unveiled their team for their WSL opener against United.
Faye Bryson, Chloe Peplow and Gemma Evans will make their debuts for the club.
Our team news is in for tonight!
— Reading FC Women (@ReadingFCWomen) September 3, 2021
3 players making their debut for Reading tonight: @FayeBryson @chloe_pep @GemmaEvans19
COME ON READING 🟡 pic.twitter.com/6IXQPnZacp
Ahead of the season we took a look at each WSL club under a microscope to pick out key signings, the managers and what they need to do to get success.
Take a look at our previews for tonight’s clubs below:
Reading are yet to reveal their first team of this WSL season but they have shared a message from long-standing manager Kelly Chambers.
🗣 A word from the boss ahead of the first game of the season:
— Reading FC Women (@ReadingFCWomen) September 3, 2021
“For us now it’s a case of putting our football out there from what we’ve been working on over the last few weeks in preseason”
Reading take on Manchester United, with kick off less than one hour to! pic.twitter.com/OEBEYCHgXS
United have revealed their team news!
Three new stars feature with Aoife Mannion, Hannah Blundell and Vilde Boe Risa included.
📋 Marc names three debutants in his first starting XI of the #FAWSL season! 👊
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) September 3, 2021
👋 @AoifeMannion_
👋 @HanBlundell
👋 @VildeBoeRisa#MUWomen pic.twitter.com/Jo02L8DVTL
Preamble
Welcome to the 21/22 Women’s Super League season which kicks off with Manchester United facing Reading.
It has been a summer full of change for United as Casey Stoney made may for Marc Skinner as manager. Skinner has a career full of experience as he has led National Women’s Soccer League club Orlando Pride and fellow WSL side Birmingham City.
As well as a change in manager, the club have also said goodbye to one of their best players in Lauren James. She moved to Chelsea in a blow to United but the side have recruited well to fortify their team in their bid to qualify for the Women’s Champions League.
Martha Thomas has made the move over from West Ham, Hannah Blundell brings a wealth of experience from Chelsea and Aoife Mannion joins from their rivals Manchester City.
Meanwhile, United’s opponents Reading are raring to get their WSL campaign underway as they target a top four finish.
Kelly Chambers will be hoping her new signings go well, including Belgian international Justine Vanhaevermaet - the biggest signing of their summer.
They are missing huge stars though as Fara Williams retired at the end of last season, Jess Fishlock returned to the NWSL and Angharad James signed for NWSL club North Carolina Courage.
Both clubs have seen a lot of change but the prediction of the result of this match remains the same. United have the slight edge, though if any club can cause an upset it’s Reading.
