Reading 2-2 Brighton – WSL: Player ratings as Emma Harries double earns Royals point

Two goals from substitute Emma Harries helped Reading come from 2-0 down to claim a point against fellow Women’s Super League strugglers Brighton on Sunday afternoon.

Veatriki Sarri struck twice early on with close range efforts as the Seagulls took advantage of some poor Royals defending.

Harries pulled one back just moments after her introduction from the bench and her header in the 60th minute ensured the points were shared at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

A recent tough run involving WSL losses to Chelsea and Manchester City has dragged Brighton further into the relegation scrap, though a recent FA Cup win over Birmingham raised spirits before the trip to Berkshire. Reading came into the fixture on a run of four losses in five league games and a cup exit to Chelsea.

Brighton took an eighth-minute lead with a well constructed opener. The visitors won the ball high up the pitch as Poppy Pattinson’s cross was met by Katie Robinson, who nodded back to Sarri to find the top corner from close range.

That advantage was doubled only five minutes later, with Sarri getting her second. The danger again came from a wide cross as Megan Connolly found Guro Bergsvand, whose header allowed Sarri to nip in and prod past Grace Moloney for 2-0.

Sweden international Emma Kullberg nearly made it three, cutting onto her left foot and placing her shot just wide of the bottom corner. Lydia Williams then had to be alert to beat away a Faye Bryson drive as Reading responded to their slow start in positive fashion. They nearly pulled one back through some pinball action from a corner but the ball was eventually cleared.

But even with Reading improving, Brighton had opportunities to put the game to bed in the first half.

READ NEXT

Sarri, on a hat-trick, had an effort kept out by Moloney before Lee Geum-min’s follow-up was blocked. Speedster Robinson was the set away down the right but fired straight at Moloney when aiming for the far corner.

Missed opportunities from the Seagulls allowed Reading to cut the defici at the start of the second half. Substitute Harries was allowed to stroll onto Emma Mukandi’s long pass from the back and finish easily past Williams with her first touches.

First-half Brighton substitute Danielle Carter couldn’t force in Robinson’s cross before Harries grabbed her second to level the scores.

20-year-old forward Harries, who hadn’t scored in the WSL this season prior to Sunday, got on the end of Lily Woodham’s cross and flicked it into the far corner to make…