HEAD coach Kali Takher was not too surprised that Slough were beaten 1-0 by rivals Reading in their final Women’s League match of the season on Saturday.

“In previous years we’ve had a habit of losing our last game or two of the season, so it was written all over this one,” he said.

“If it had mattered I wouldn’t have been happy, but if there was a time to lose then it was Saturday.”

The Pink and Blacks had already pulled themselves clear of the relegation zone, and were definitely not at their best as they became the first side to lose a league game to relegated Reading this season.

“We did our work against Holcombe and Canterbury, getting the results we needed to keep us safe,” added Taker.

“The aim of the season was to survive, and we did that, and this defeat is not going to take the polish off it.

“But, give credit to Reading, they’re a great club and it’s a shame to see them go down. It’s a rebuilding phase for them, as it is for us as well.”

With talk of three or four new players joining Slough for next season, Taker commented: “I hope our current players will buy into what we’re trying to achieve, work even harder and use the experience from this year to benefit them next season.”

Team captain Kat McGonigle added: “Next season we will definitely be looking to finish higher and be a better side.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Kat McGonigle: “Next season we will definitely be looking to finish higher and be a better side."

“Hopefully, we will bring in a few players, but we’re a very tight-knit side and we don’t intend to bring in the masses.”

A priority for Slough will be to strengthen their attack.

They managed only 15 goals in 18 games this season, the lowest in the league, and two fewer than bottom-of-the-table Reading.

The hosts won eight penalty corners during this Berkshire derby at Upton Court Park but struggled to get in shots at goal and, when they were on target, they saw keeper Amy Gibson pull off a smart save.

So Slough were unable to reply to the only goal of the game which Reading captain Emma Thomas scored in the 19th minute.

Taker’s team enjoyed more possession in the second half with Hannah Bowe driving them forward, but the closest they came to equalising was when Dilly Newton, who has had an outstanding season, struck the outside of the post.

Slough continued to press forward, but were kept at bay by Scotland international Gibson and her defence.

McGonigle commented: “It was disappointing to lose our final game, but we can still be proud of what we've achieved in our first season back in the Premier Division.

“At the start of the season, our target was to stay up and we're delighted to have done that. We worked really hard for it.

“We also won the indoor title, so it has been a good season for us.”