Crystal Palace open campaign with 1-1 draw against Reading in Women’s Championship

Crystal Palace and Reading shared the spoils in a dramatic 1-1 draw with two late goals to start their respective Women’s Championship campaigns with a point each.

Sanne Troelsgaard and Annabel Blanchard had the best chances in the early stages as Lauren Wade’s long-range strike was tipped over by Natalia Negri on half-time.

In the 88th minute, Deanna Cooper nudged in a spilled ball by Negri from a corner kick before Elise Hughes equalised with a header late on into added time.

After a tentative start from both sides, Troelsgaard’s deflected effort from outside the box in the 14th minute hit the crossbar and upped the intensity of the clash.

Blanchard quickly responded for Palace, forcing a stunning save from Emily Orman with an ambitious long-range effort from 25 yards out.

Negri, who stepped in for the absent Fran Kitching, was called into action before half-time when she tipped Wade’s 47th-minute strike over the bar.

The second half saw another even battle unfold as both sides struggled to break the deadlock.

Charlie Estcourt played in Troelsgaard in the 67th minute, forcing a low save from Negri.

But in the 88th minute, Negri spilled a corner ball that fell to Cooper, who nudged home on the goal line.

Palace denied the Royals three points in a breathless end to the game when Hughes’ header from Fliss Gibbons’ cross went beyond Orman in the 102nd minute.