Alex Morgan came off the bench to make her long-awaited Tottenham Hotspur Women debut in a 1-1 draw with Reading in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.
Both goals at The Hive came in the opening period where the visitors took the lead through Brooke Chaplen, who headed in from Emma Mitchell’s cross.
Ashleigh Neville equalised for Spurs, flicking home an eventual header from a corner that Reading failed to deal with.
USA international Morgan was introduced on the 70th minute, but couldn’t inspire the hosts to a victory. The two-time World Cup winner made the move to north London in September but has been using the time to build fitness following a 15-month maternity break.
Alex Morgan Debuts for Tottenham Hotspur in Draw With Reading
Competitive Opening Period
Reading started the game looking the most threatening and nearly opened the scoring after just three minutes. Angharad James latched onto Chaplen’s pass across the face of the Spurs goal, but could only direct her effort into the side-netting.
The Royals’ early spell of pressure and possession paid off as the deadlock was broken on 12 minutes. A fantastic Jess Fishlock pass set Mitchell free, whose deflected cross found Chaplen at the far post to nod in at close range.
Spurs almost drew level several minutes later, after Neville’s drilled cross from the right was fired narrowly over the crossbar by Angela Addison.
The home side were back on terms on 24 minutes after Reading failed to clear Siri Worm’s hanging corner. Kerys Harrop connected with Worm’s cross, followed by Rianna Dean before Neville flicked over Royals goalkeeper Grace Moloney.
Reading came close to regaining the lead before the break when Mitchell’s corner was headed just over at the back post by early substitute Kristine Leine.
Tense Second Half Overshadowed By Alex Morgan’s Introduction
An entertaining first half struggled to be matched in the second. The match turned into a tense affair, as chances for both sides came at a rarity.
Alex Morgan was summoned with 20 minutes remaining in a bid to see Spurs’ momentum shift. The 31-year-old, who has scored 107 goals in 169 appearances for The Stars and Stripes, returned to make her first competitive appearance in 15 months.
But Morgan’s presence was immediately stifled by the Reading defence, who quickly prevented her time and space on the ball.
The hosts’ best chance of the half fell to Harrop just seconds after the change. The defender lined up a speculative volley, which flew just wide of Moloney’s post.
Spurs survived an injury-time scare when Reading substitute Lily Woodham forced an excellent stop from Rebecca Spencer to ensure the points were shared.
The result ends Spurs’ run of four straight defeats in the WSL, but are still yet to record a victory. Reading remain in sixth on eight points following two consecutive 1-1 draws.
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