READING FC Women were beaten 1-0 at home by Sunderland in their opening Women’s Super League 1 fixture.

Kelly Chambers’ Royals enjoyed plenty of possession at Adams Park on Sunday without finding the net, despite 15 shots on goal.

They fell behind in only the sixth minute when a poor clearance from Mary Earps found Simona Koren, who rounded the England goalkeeper before firing into an empty net.

Royals quickly recovered from the setback and searched for an equaliser, with Mandy van den Berg aiming at free-kick straight at Anke Pruess.

Rachel Furness also fired over from a Molly Bartrip cross early in the second half.

But as Royals pushed players forward, Sunderland threatened a second with Abbey Joice shooting directly at Earps who also made a fine save to keep out a Lucy Staniforth long-range effort.

Chambers admitted: “I’m frustrated & annoyed, we dominated the game but we did not have the end product.

“We need to move on very quickly and make sure we are ready for Friday'.

Reading travel to Widnes this Friday to face Liverpool Ladies.

Reading: Earps, Bartrip, Pearce, Van den Berg, Rowe, Moore, Williams, Allen, Bruton, Linnet, Chaplen (Furness 69). Subs not used: Scott, Green, Moloney, O'Rourke, Clifford.

Sunderland: Preuss, Stewart, Williams, Sharp, Wyne, Bruinenberg, Lipka, Sjoman, Staniforth, Joice, Koren (Brown 73). Subs not used: Laws, Young, Galloway, Lambert.

Referee: Stacey Pearson.

Attendance: 502.