Reading Women continued their difficult start to life in grassroots football with a 4-1 home defeat to AFC Porchester at Arbour Park.

The Royals, now under the control of the Community Trust, looked to have turned a corner in recent weeks by progressing in the FA Cup.

However, their slow start in Southern Region Women's Football League Premier Division continued despite taking an early lead.

Sumayah Zayadi opened the scoring inside 15 minutes for Reading, but Natalie Bavister and Sophie Bell scored shortly before half-time to turn the tie on its head.

Second half strikes from Brooke Marshall and Charlotte Keenan rounded off the defeat, leaving the Royals bottom of the division without a point to their name after four matches.

Reading have a few weeks away from league action next as cup fever takes hold.

On Sunday, the Royals travel to Richmond and Kew in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup before a derby with Caversham United in the Berks and Bucks County Cup on October 20.