Reading v Chelsea
The FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup
Group 1
7.45pm, Wednesday 22 July 2015
Farnborough FC
£4 for adults and £2.50 concessions
By Jamie Holt
However, due to injury and her international involvement, Kirby had missed four of Reading’s WSL 2 matches already this term.
Despite her absence though, Reading remain the division’s top scorers and Ward says they are ready to let Chelsea feel the full force of their firepower at Farnborough.
"We do not look at it as a game against Fran, it’s a game against Chelsea who are a very good team that have made a fantastic start to the season," said Ward, an FA Cup runner-up with Chelsea in 2012.
"Fran is a great player who deserves to be playing at a big club and that is where she has gone.
"We know that we have a team capable of coping without her, her leaving is not too much of a disruption. We have got players here that are good enough to cope.
"This is a chance for us to showcase what we can do against one of the best sides and we are confident about going up against them and seeing how we compare.
"They are the benchmark for us and hopefully, come October, we will be playing against these sides every week."
For Chelsea, the Continental Tyres Cup could be one of three trophies they walk away with come the end of the season.
Millie Bright says Chelsea are expecting to perform in the Continental Cup this season
Should they successfully navigate their way through a group which also includes Arsenal, London Bees, Millwall Lionesses and Watford, Emma Hayes’s side will progress to the last eight rather than the last four in a change to this year’s competition.
And midfielder Millie Bright intends to ensure Chelsea hit the ground running against Reading.
"In every competition this club is striving for the top, and facing Reading we’ll take it as serious as any other," she said.
"The men’s side have been winning trophies and while we’ve been winning games, it’s important we go out and win something, be it The FA Cup or this, or the WSL itself. We want success, that’s what we are aiming to achieve.
"Reading are a good side. They have been doing well in WSL 2 and we know what they are capable of – Fran has been filling us in!”
"We all know what Fran is about, she’ll be a great asset to have and it will be great to get her involved. She’s another exciting player we have to choose from in the squad."
