Tia Johnson’s first-half hat-trick helped Reading Women continue their good run of league form, with a resounding 5-0 victory over Woodley United at Arbour Park, Slough on Sunday. Keren Banduka’s sixth goal of the season gave the Royals a comfortable lead at the break, with a second-half penalty from Mia Parker wrapping up a convincing performance in front of a bumper crowd. It was a success off the pitch too, where fans turned up in large numbers to lend their support, make the most of the Community Day celebrations and raise funds for Breast Cancer Now.Pre-match, fans were able to enjoy a host of activities, with a chance for aspiring young Royals to meet the players in a signing session, and enough cake on hand to feed a small army, while being treated to a footballing masterclass on the pitch from Reading.Although Woodley United find themselves at the wrong end of the table – just three points above Badshot Lea in the relegation place battle – their recent form had been good, with a 2-1 victory over Sholing just a couple of weeks ago and a narrow 1-0 defeat last weekend, against in-form side Southampton Women.It was the first meeting of the two Berkshire teams this season.

In the reverse fixture, back in October, Reading were awarded all three points (officially recorded as an ‘away walkover’) after Woodley were unable to field a team.It was also the first time Reading had beaten Woodley since their relegation to tier five. Last season’s results saw the Royals lose 3-2 in the corresponding fixture at Arbour Park, and a 90th-minute equaliser from Maya Raghunandan was required to secure a 3-3 draw at Bulmershe Pavilion, in what was a dramatic and exciting match in March 2025.It’s a different Royals team this season, with different aims and aspirations, as demonstrated not only in this display, but also in recent performances, including last weekend’s clash – and well earned 1-1 draw – against title-chasers AFC Portchester.There were four changes from last weekend’s starting XI.

Sophie Butler was back between the posts (in place of the also excellent Scarlett Bowcott). The young goalkeeper made her 12th start for the Royals this season, alongside Bethan Poole, Ava Broke-Smith and Johnson – with Nat Cowell named among the substitutes and Georgia Hayes and Belle Rowden not available for selection.Team: Sophie Butler (GK), Bethan Poole, Sarah Thompson, Keziah Banduka (Lara Moore, 67’), Jazz King (Chloe Prangley, 67’), Mia Parker (captain), Ellie Szekeres, Poppy Whitburn (Ellie Manners, 56’), Keren Banduka, Ava Broke-Smith (Nat Cowell, 56’), Tia Johnson (Lucy Bolitho, 56’)Reading goalscorers: Tia Johnson, 12’, 24’, 34’; Keren Banduka, 30’; Mia Parker, 46’ (pen)Woodley United goalscorers: NoneReading yellow cards: None Woodley United yellow cards: Jo Novak-Allum (GK), 24’; Gerry Kehayova, 46’; defender, 82’ Reading red cards: NoneWoodley United red cards: NoneFirst halfReading manager Ed Jackson-Norris once again set the team up in an attacking 3-5-2 formation, with Broke-Smith and Johnson leading the attack, supported by the busy midfield trio of King, Szekeres and Parker, with options on the flanks from Whitburn and Keren Banduka.If Woodley thought they would be in for a tough match, the opening 10 minutes only confirmed this.

The Royals started strongly, winning four corners. Keziah Banduka headed just over from one set-piece and United’s goalkeeper Jo Nowak-Allum was forced into two early saves, from Broke-Smith and Johnson.The pressure paid off when, in the 12th minute, Keziah Banduka’s pass from defence found Broke-Smith, who unselfishly slid the ball to Johnson, her shot going through the legs of the outrushing goalkeeper to open the scoring. 1-0.From the restart it was more of the same one-way traffic, with a salvo of Reading shots either fired wide of the Woodley goal or saved by the busy Nowak-Allum.With just over 20 minutes on the clock, and with the scoreline somehow unchanged, Reading earned the chance to double their lead when Keren Banduka was fouled by Nowak-Allum as she burst into the Woodley box to latch onto a delightful pass from Szekeres.

Johnson stepped up to take the penalty and grabbed her second goal of the afternoon, at the second attempt, after her set-piece was initially saved by the goalkeeper. 2-0.10 minutes later, Keren Banduka capitalised on some intricate passing from Szekeres and Johnson on the edge of the penalty area, curling her shot into the far corner of the goal. 3-0.With Woodley on the ropes, Reading piled the pressure on and forced a defensive error. While the visitors were trying to play out of defence, Johnson pounced on the mistake and smashed the ball into the net for her hat-trick (in a superb 22 minutes for the Reading striker). 4-0.But for the heroics of Nowak-Allum in the United goal – pulling off a couple of fantastic saves late on from Johnson and Broke-Smith – and the post coming to the rescue of what looked like a sublime goal for Szekeres, the scoreline co