The first league game of the season for AFC Newbury was against last season's league winners Basingstoke. This was a disappointing result considering the progress that this team had made at the the end of last season where Newbury had played against Basingstoke in 2 tournament finals loosing on penalties in the Calleva tournament and finally beating Basingstoke in a league phase and on penalities in the final at Chineham.

Newbury started well in this game and were in control of the game for the first 15 minutes with plenty of neat and penetrating passing providing opportunities to score. Basingstoke though started to get into the game midway through the first half. After a period of equal play Newbury were unlucky to concede an own goal when the ball was deflected into the net leaving Hannah in goal completely wrong footed. Basingstoke scored again late in the first half to lead 2-0 at half time.

Chelsea went into goal in the second half in place of Hannah but Newbury were visibly tiring. On several occasions Newbury tried to chase the game into Basingstoke's half in an attempt to get back into the game but this left them exposed at the back which allowed Basingstoke opportunities to score which they took well.