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Kirsty Hanson scored her first goal in the WSL season before 2,111 fans at Leigh Sports Village
Manchester United won against Reading to open the Women's Super League season. Marc Skinner was his first managerial game.
Home fans gathered at Leigh Sports Village to see Kirsty Hanson's slot home Ella Toone's pass.
After the break, Toone was once again able to provide as Ona Batlle made an outstanding long-range effort.
Brooke Chaplen, Reading, hit the crossbar earlier. Replays suggested that the ball bounced off the line.
The officials couldn't examine the goal because there was no video assistant referee or goalline technology in the women’s game.
United capitalized on Batlle's firing seconds later in the first WSL match to be shown by Sky Sports under a new broadcast agreement with the BBC. This sent home fans into complete delirium.
Kelly Chambers, Reading manager, said that Sky Sports had slowed the replay down for her.
It was too close, but it's still a significant difference. The top game for women's and top game for men's are both there, but they're so much further along.
"Things are going to take time, despite how fast the women's games are moving. They are doing a lot to raise the standard of officials and I hope that we can see those improvements in the near future.
Leah Galton missed another half-volley in half one and Leah Galton was left with no chance as she lobbed a header wide at her back post.
Martha Thomas was a substitute and made her competitive debut. She glanced wide, saw a cross roll inches in front of her, waited unmarked in centre, then rolled a shot past right post.
Skinner's latest signings showed promise, with Vilde Boe Risa, a Norwegian midfielder, being the most impressive.
Reading had only half the chances, Chaplen's attempt hitting the crossbar was the exception. Chaplen herself struck the bar from long distance in the first period.
Victory puts United on the right track for a season in which they aim to qualify for the Champions League.
"I will not turn down goalline technology"
Marc Skinner, Manchester United boss: "If technology could be used it would be amazing." While we can concentrate on this, there are many other things that must be done to ensure the continued growth of our game.
"We hope to see that growth in our lifetime and that we have that support for these amazing players. That is something I won't refuse."
Emile Heskey, a former striker for England and Leicester City, said on Sky Sports that if we all played in the exact same stadiums then maybe technology could be used.
"But funds could be allocated to better places [in the women’s game] right now." Perhaps goalline technology is the next step."
Casey Stoney, ex-Manchester United manager, on Sky Sports: "It's an area that needs improvement. It's a professional sport with amateur officiating.
"We could not see if it was a goal, so it is a big task. There are many improvements that can be made."
