A VALIANT performance by Yeovil Town Ladies against top flight Reading was not enough to ensure the best possible start in the League Cup.

The Royals travelled to Raleigh Grove, Sherborne, on Sunday and returned to Berkshire with a 2-0 group stage success.

The Glovers, of the FA Tesco Premier League, Southern Division, matched the Royals in all departments, and perhaps even deserved to draw, but in the end had no answer to a first half brace from Mikaela Howell.

"I thought that we played really well," Yeovil manager Steve Phelps said. "We were playing a side that have just gone up into the National League, and who won their opening game last week."

Yeovil came into the game minus first choice goalkeeper Rachel Simkin, so handed a debut to 16-year-old Lou Harrington.

She impressed against a well organised Reading attack, who put Yeovil under some early pressure.

The Glovers soon got into the game, with Jemma Tewkesbury twice going close in the opening seven minutes.

Reading were always the stronger side in that first half, and took the lead on 18 minutes when Howell weaved her way through the Yeovil defence to bury the ball from 18 yards.

Yeovil stayed on their game, with Edwards and Kim Short starring in defence. Laura Wensley was also showing good form in midfield, backed well by the industry of Stacey Pearson.

Bray and Tewkesbury had further chances, but Yeovil were finding it difficult to break through the Reading defence.

The Royals doubled their lead on 27 minutes when Howell netted from 25 yards.

"Reading had the better of the first period," Phelps said. "We contained them for most of the half, but they got two goals where we backed off and allowed them space to get the opportunity.

"In the second half we moved to a different level and did well, playing more like we did last year, keeping the ball on the floor and playing some good football.

"We had them pinned back for the first 25 minutes, and had some chances to come back into the game."

The first of these came on 49 minutes when Bleazard went past three defenders to cross for Bray at the near post to hit the ball inches wide.

Three minutes later Pearson laid the ball to Rosie Williams, who was denied by the outstretched fingertips of the Royal's goalkeeper.

"I thought that we created some good chances to score, and could so easily have come away with at least a point," Phelps said.

"We have to be proud of that against a team from the National Division. I think that once we get used to the higher pace we will thrive."

Bleazard went close for the hosts on 73 minutes with a blistering shot from 18 yards, and Laura Wensley struck a wonderful volley that whistled over the bar.

The Glovers start their league programme this Sunday with a trip to Keynsham Town. The two sides last met in the Somerset County Cup final in April, with Yeovil losing 4-2 after extra time.

"We know Keynsham will be tough opposition," Phelps said. "They are a quick, powerful side, and will punish us if we give them any space. They won their first league game of this season 4-0 away, so will be confident coming into this match.

"We have every chance of beating them. We have the fire power to score goals, and are more than capable in defence.

"We have to remember to keep it tight and not let them catch us out. We will have to work our socks off when we do not have the ball, and when we do have it, not waste it."

By Alastair King