Albion are back in WSL action on Sunday when they travel to Reading for a crucial game, kick off 2pm.
Team news
Interim head coach Amy Merricks said at her pre-match media conference that a couple of players were being monitored ahead of Sunday's game but there are no new injury concerns.
View from the bench
Merricks said, "I feel the performances in the last three games have given us some momentum at an important time in the season. We have nine league games left and this one against Reading is no less or more important than the others. I'm looking forward to seeing us play on Sunday, we have worked really hard this week to prepare and we know it will be a tough game, but that applies to every game in this league."
Form guide
While Albion were reaching the semi-finals of the FA Cup last Sunday with a 2-0 win over Birmingham City, Reading were exiting the competition with a 3-1 defeat against Chelsea with Sanne Troelsgaard getting the Royals’ consolation.
Reading were beaten 4-0 at Arsenal last time out in the WSL but they started the month with an important 2-1 home win over West Ham, with Rachel Rowe getting the winner five minutes from time.
They are currently tenth in the table, a place and two points better off than Albion who do have two games in hand.
Albion bounced back after defeats to title-chasing Chelsea and Manchester City at St Andrew’s last Sunday when first-half goals by Poppy Pattinson and Danielle Carter secured our place in the last four of the FA Cup.
Player to watch
Welsh international Rachel Rowe has been an ever present for the Royals this season and has chipped in with three goals. The 30-year-old, who can play up front or on the left-hand side of defence, played for Cardiff City and Swansea City while working in the prison service before joining Reading in 2015. She has gone on to make more than 100 appearances for the club and made 26 appearances for her country.
Previous meetings
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Reading is not a happy hunting ground for Albion, who have never picked up a point there in three previous visits. In our first WSL game at the Select Cars Leasing Stadium in April 2019 Albion lost 1-0 while our next visit in May 2021 finished 3-2 to the hosts, with Danielle Carter among Reading’s scorers. Geum-Min Lee had got Albion back in the game with two first-half goals. Last season’s match finished 1-0 to Reading.
Our other meeting this season was on the opening day when we beat the Royals 2-1 at the Amex thanks to goals from Lee (penalty) and Katie Robinson with Charlie Wellings getting a late consolation for Reading in front of a 5,220 crowd.
How to follow the game
As part of Women’s Football Weekend, Reading have offered Albion fans their own seating block at the Select Cars Leasing Stadium to watch the match. More information can be found here.
The gams is also live on FA Player.