| The game opened with good pressure from both teams. Promising attacking play from Newbury, resulted in two early corners, and a low shot from Kendall Gilmour, which crossed the face of the goal and just passed the right post. Newbury persisted, and 20 minutes later were rewarded with another corner, a great cross from Kendall was met by Caz Harkness, who headed the ball just passed the keeper. Holmer green equalised just over 5 minutes later when the Newbury defence were beaten. Chloe Hunt, Newbury's last minute replacement keeper, managed to palm the shot away which unfortunately fell to an unmarked forward who placed the ball into an almost open net. Newbury reacted well from the goal and continued to apply pressure, but were unable to convert their chances.
Following a positive half time chat from their coach, Newbury began the second half with early pressure and neat passing down the left wing. After great build up play Newbury had many chances on goal with shots that either hit the post or narrowly missed the target. Newbury continuously pressured the opposition's defence and were awarded a corner from which Chelsea Starbuck headed the ball only for it to be saved on the line. As Newbury could only field 10, a change was made and Chloe was switched from goal to the right wing in place of Lorna Parr. Fresh legs meant Newbury could break down the right wing, ending in some good crosses from Kendall but with no one far enough forward to meet them. Newbury finally went ahead when a shot from the edge of the box was knocked away by the Holmer Green keeper, falling nicely to Chloe who followed it up and hit a well placed shot into the bottom right hand corner of the goal. Holmer Green however stayed positive and attacked down their right wing, after some scrappy play deep in the Newbury half the ball was crossed to be tapped in by and unmarked forward. With minutes to go Emma Theochari received a yellow card for disputing the referee's decision on a foul.
This was Newbury's first draw of the season. A game, even with ten players, they could easily have won.
Match Report by Caz Harkness
Newbury's next league fixture is away to Heelands Rangers in Milton Keynes on Sunday 22nd February.
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| Players: Chloe Hunt, Kelly Doe, Gemma Povey (capt), Emma Theochari, Lorna Parr, Kerriann Benson, Caz Harkness, Chelsea Starbuck, Kendall Gilmour, Kelly Saunders. |