AFC Newbury Ladies Football
Match Report -- Season 2004-5
Thames Valley Counties Women's League Cup Quarter Final
6th February 2005
Brize Norton 1 AFC Newbury 1 (aet)
Newbury win 4 - 2 on penalties
In an extraordinary game Newbury managed a miraculous escape from losing to league newcomers Brize Norton. This game was billed as the game of the round between Newbury at the top of divison 1 and Brize Norton at the top of divison 2. Playing on a heavy pitch Newbury never came to terms with the sticky surface. Although they were winning plenty of ball in midfield they were largely reduced to shooting from distance which gave the keeper plenty to do but few problems. Sam Sowerby came closest to scoring turning smartly on a cross on the edge of the 6 yard box but the shot went just wide. Brize Norton had fewer attacks but their centre forward was quick and Chloe Hunt, in goal, had to make several important saves. Emma Theochari was on hand to clear the ball from one of the saves for a corner.

The second half saw a similar pattern with Newbury having much of the midfield possesion but Brize Norton dangerous on the break. They had several opportunities to put the game beyond Newbury, first when they failed to convert a penalty, then when a mishit shot looped over the stranded Chloe Hunt only to hit the cross bar and finally in added on time when an attacker was unable to reach a ball when unopposed a yard from the Newbury goal line. To cap all this the referee inexplicably stopped the game for an injury to a Newbury player when 2 Brize players were in the 18 yard area with the ball and only had the keeper to beat.

Extra time started even worse when Brize Norton scored after 5 minutes of the first period. The ball going into the bottom corner of the net with Chloe stranded in the mud and unable to get to the ball. To their credit Newbury did not loose heart at this point and continued to press. Finally Sam Sowerby, who was voted player of the match by the opposition for the 2nd week running, was rewarded with a goal from a corner on the right by Caz Harkness. Her shot was deflected off a defender beyond the keeper's reach.

It was only with the penalties that Newbury showed anything like their true form. The four penalties that were taken were all placed well giving the Brize keeper no chance. With Chloe saving the first and one other struck wide Newbury claimed their place in the semi finals.

Players: Chloe Hunt, Kelly Doe, Gemma Povey (capt), Hannah Burgess, Emma Theochari, Sam Sowerby, Chelsea Starbuck, Caz Harkness, Lisa Duncan, Kendall Gilmour. Leanne Creese.
Referee: P. Meredith
Goal scorers
Sam Sowerby (110)
Caz Harkness (Pen)
Leanne Creese (Pen)
Kendall Gilmour (Pen)
Sam Sowerby (Pen)
Player of the match
Sam Sowerby
Next fixture
13th February
Denham Youth (league)
at Faraday Road Stadium