Good things happen to those who wait (and work hard). And after three years of being in the second tier of the WSL, Everton’s first year back in the top flight has been very promising so far.

The Ladies have been guaranteed a spot in the WSL 1 next season after their application was given the stamp of approval by the FA Women’s Football Board. Everton has committed to maintaining the full-time model for their players, which will include at least 16 hours of training and preparation a week.

The club’s commitment is already paying off with this season’s Continental Cup success. Placed in a group with WSL Champs Manchester City, competition was tough but the Toffees made it to the knockout stages with three wins and a loss.

Saturday’s quarterfinal game against Reading is a win or go home situation. Everton hasn’t played the Royals since 2015 when they lost 2-0. Reading won all 4 of their Continental Cup games and currently sit in 5th place on the WSL 1 table while the Blues are in 6th place.

Reading boasts of two experienced English internationals on their roster, Jo Potter and Fara Williams.

The Blues are coming off of a three game winning streak with a combined total of…. wait for it….. 11 goals!

Strikers Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Chloe Kelly are both in excellent form and have been finding the back of the net often.

Sadly, the lineup will not include dynamic playmaker and goal scorer Claudia Walker, who had surgery for a hamstring injury that is very similar to the one that Ross Barkley sustained. Unfortunately, she will be out for the rest of the season. In her place, expect to see Chaney Boye-Hlorkah at kickoff as she did well in the last game scoring against Sunderland.

Boye-Hlorkah stated that positivity is high among the squad right now:

“The confidence is flowing for all the girls. We know what we can do. The way that we have been training, the performances that we have been putting in, it all stands us in good stead. Hopefully we can go out there and get the right result.”

COYBG! We believe that you will win and make it to the semi-finals!

Predictions

3-2, Everton

Projected Lineup

Lizzie Durack, Dan Turner, Siri Worm, Georgie Brougham, Gabrielle George, Angharad James, Jodie Brett, Chloe Kelly, Simone Magill, Chaney Boye-Hlorkah, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk

Match Details

What: Continental Cup Quarterfinal

Date: December 16th

Time: 6:00 pm BST, 1:00 pm ET

Where: Select Security Stadium

Follow: @ReadingFCWomen @EvertonLadies @FAWSL

Tickets