READING FC Women will host Manchester United Women in the Women’s FA Cup quarter finals.

That was the reward for Kelly Chambers’ side after beating Women’s Super League 1 rivals Birmingham City 2-1 at Adams Park.

Royals breezed into Sunday’s fifth-round home tie on the back of a mammoth 13-0 win over Keynsham Town in the previous round.

But they faced a tough task against a Blues side who sit fourth in the top tier, two places above Royals.

The home side were forced to weather some early pressure with Molly Bartrip and Jo Potter snuffing out a series of attacks and keeper Grace Maloney bravely saving at the feet of Lucy Quinn.

Remi Allen responded with an overhead kick that went narrowly wide at the other end, while Fara Williams missed the target with a long-range effort.

Chambers replaced Jade Moore with Kirsty Pearce at the interval, while Quinn made way for Ellen White.


Reading kept knocking at the door as Bartrip dragged a shot wide and the midfield began to dominate.

And Chambers’ substitution paid off when centre-back Pearce headed Royals into a 68th minute from a superb Williams delivery.

But the lead was wiped out eight minutes later when Aoife Mannion converted from the penalty spot after substitute Ellen White had been brought down by Maloney.

And the visitors nearly got themselves in front moments later only for Kerys Harrop to fire narrowly over the top.

Yet it was another key substitution by Chambers nine minutes from time that saw recent signing Rakel Honnudottir replace Brooke Chaplen that proved the difference in the end.

Honnudottir had been on the pitch less than a minute when she collected a through-ball before expertly slotting past Blues keeper Hannah Hampton for the winning goal.

Royals could have added a third late on when the excellent Williams dragged one wide from a Lauren Bruton assist, but they did enough to seal a first win against Birmingham in nine attempts.

Matchwinner Honnudottir beamed: “It’s an amazing feeling, coming into the team and helping them in the best way I can. It was a strong team performance, the coaches were happy and if we play like that we can stand up to any team.”

Chambers added: “We’ve strengthened defensively and the girls delivered a perfect game plan.”

Royals will now host Manchester United in the last eight on Sunday, March 17 (2pm ko) following last night's televised live draw. Reading will be favourites for the clash against a United side sitting second in the division below.

Meanwhile, Reading return to WSL1 action tomorrow night when they host West Ham at Madejski Stadium (7.30pm ko).