Reading fell to their second defeat of the WSL season on Sunday, going down 2-1 to Brighton and Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium.
Lee Geum-min and Katie Robinson put the Seagulls two goals up before Charlie Wellings’ stoppage-time reply.
However, a first half Deanna Cooper header would have given the Royals a deserved lead, only for it to be wrongly called for offside.
🤷♀️ pic.twitter.com/ojeYruaSuS
— Reading FC Women (@ReadingFCWomen) September 25, 2022
Speaking after the defeat, a frustrated Kelly Chambers slammed the levels of officiating across the game.
"The referees have cost us the game," she stated.
"We watched our goal back, Cooper is three yards onside. It’s something we worked on in training yesterday, it’s worked and then to have it taken away from us it’s not good enough.
"We have the highest level of Women’s football, yet the level of the officials are not good enough, nowhere near good enough."
FT: First home game, first win. 😎
— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) September 25, 2022
[2-1] 📲 https://t.co/1JRqX8gtVj // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/rx2FfrcMKF
Currently sat rock bottom of the division, Chambers claims that referees will cost managers their jobs unless the levels improve.
"Unfortunately, we’re now looking at another loss, and if this [officiating] is not addressed, it’s going to start costing managers jobs.
“That’s the most frustrating thing, no consequence can come of the officials, but a manager’s career hangs in the balance.
“If the decision was marginal, I could perhaps come to accept it, but in this instance we’re talking about a good few yards."
Now taking a break from league action, Reading host Tottenham Hotspur in the Continental Cup on Sunday.
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