Powell: Our best performance of the season

Hope Powell said Albion needed their convincing win over Reading as they brought an end a run of ten games without victory.

Kayleigh Green’s brace set Albion well on their way to their first win over the Royals, with Aileen Whelan and Emma Koivisto adding further second-half goals.

“That’s our best performances of the season bearing in mind the strength of the opposition,” Powell said. “It was needed as we’ve been in a bit of difficulty recently but I thought the girls were excellent and really rose to the challenge against a side who we knew would be tough to face. It felt really good.

“We tried to move the ball quickly and get it into space so we didn’t have to have that physical contest. The team delivered that and everyone is delighted.

“We knew it would be a fight, but we knew if we did the things we knew we can well then it would give us the best possible chance of getting a good result and that’s what happened.”

Green’s first-half header and early strike in the second period from the midfielder land a well deserved Player of the Match award.

“Kayleigh was very good today, she didn’t want to come off as she was on a hat-trick. I thought she was outstanding. She scored two goals and they were well deserved.”

WSL action comes to a halt for three weeks for Albion, with 11 first team players heading off on international duty.

“The break gives us a chance to enjoy the win,” added Powell. “We’ve got quite a few players away with their countries and they go away happy after today’s result.”