Interviews

Merricks: We should have beaten Reading

Interim boss disappointed her team didn't take all three points on Sunday.

By Charlie Hanson • 26 March 2023

By Kyle Hemsley
Amy Merricks's team drew 2-2 with Reading on Sunday.

Amy Merricks felt her side should have capitalised on a number of golden opportunities on Sunday in the women's first team's 2-2 draw with Reading.

A Vea Sarri brace in the opening 8 minutes gave Albion a perfect start, but a double from Gemma Harris in the second 45 minutes meant Albion had to settle for a point.

Sarri had the opportunity to fire in a third for a hat-trick, while chances also went begging for Emma Kullberg, Katie Robinson and Libby Bance.

Merricks said, "We did more than enough to win the game, we created a lot of opportunities. We dominated the first half and played some good football.

By Kyle Hemsley
Albion celebrate doubling their lead at the Madejski Stadium.

"Then we have a moment of madness at the start of the second half - we knew Reading were going to come at us and we had to manage those moments better collectively. Even though we conceded those two goals, I still feel we did more than enough to win the game.

"We had to regroup. We have to make sure that every moment of the game we are fully focussed because in this league, any team at any moment can capitalise on those opportunities - we have to learn from that. We had plenty of opportunities to come away with three points today.

"It's always challenging playing at Reading. We were a bit too slow reacting to second balls sometimes and a big lesson for me was that we played some really good football at times, but we've got to keep doing that regardless of the score.

"Everyone can see the performances are improving, we're creating chances and playing good football. The tide is turning and we're heading in the right direction. We still have eight games to play so there are plenty of points to play for."