Although Woodley play their football in the division above their hosts, once again it could be said that Newbury were the architects of their own downfall when they fell behind within the first 5 minutes of play. Honor Ramos, in the Newbury goal, failed to hold onto a deep cross and the Newbury defence then failed to clear. The bobbling ball deflected in to give a one nil score line to Woodley.

This spurred the visitors on, who earned two corners and a dangerous free kick inside the game’s opening period. The Newbury Ladies defence did begin to settle however, with the new centre back pairing of Gemma Povey and Lauren Sheldon weathering the early storm.

On the 15 minute mark Newbury achieved their first effort on goal, after the Woodley defence this time failed to deal with a long floated ball down the centre. The clearance from the Woodley keeper was loose and it was pounced on by Newbury’s Jenny Petrylak on the edge of the area. She sent a rasping drive just inches over the cross bar. The attempt did give Newbury belief and they gradually came more into the match, forcing the Woodley players into mistakes with their work rate and desire to close down the opposition.

As half time approached, Woodley breached Newbury’s defensive line when their striker won a flicked-on header, and then burst through on her own, finding herself one on one with Ramos in the Newbury goal. Although it appeared she had been forced too wide, the shot was fired in and Ramos was unable to keep it out. 2 nil to Woodley.

This second goal 10 minutes prior to half time appeared to knock Newbury’s confidence a little, with Woodley hitting the post 5 minutes later, but the danger was cleared. When cool heads and brave hearts were needed, Newbury’s centre half, Gemma Povey, stood up to be counted, as she literally threw herself in front of the Woodley striker, just as her shot was unleashed from 12 yards. The effort was heroically blocked and the half time whistle came with Woodley taking a 2 nil lead into the break.

Newbury started the second half as poorly as they had started the first, when Petrylak was offered no support when facing her own goal. She attempted a long back pass, but this was read by Woodley’s number 9, who intercepted before Ramos could reach it. With Ramos rounded, the ball was slipped into an empty net to make it 3 nil to the visitors.

Just 5 minutes later and Newbury were 4 nil down, when a Woodley corner was stabbed home from 6 yards. For all Newbury’s efforts, they didn’t deserve this score line and there was still plenty of time left to try to seek some consolation. Certainly Woodley did not feel that the tie was won or at ease with themselves, with Newbury continuing to battle away all over the pitch.

Due to both Naomi Purvis and Sophie Self picking up slight knocks, both Newbury players were withdrawn and replaced by Sarah Haughey and Sam McConnon respectively on 67 and 75 minutes. It was a credit to both of these substitutes that the balance of the Newbury team was not disrupted or weakened, as they both went straight into the fray and slotted in seamlessly, giving a very good account of themselves in the closing stages.

On 60 minutes a foul was given in Newbury’s favour just inside the centre circle in the Woodley half. Newbury’s leading scorer, Ruby Oliver stepped up to take it and her direct shot caught the Woodley keeper off guard. As she floundered back on her goal line, the ball nestled inch perfect under the bar and into the net. It was the consolation goal that Newbury’s team play deserved, and it ensured that Woodley were pushed onto the back foot for the remainder of the match.

Newbury’s four main attacking players of Oliver, Petrylak, Ellie Reed on the left wing and skipper Leanne Crease on the right wing, were playing with an increased tempo and fire in their bellies, and were really taking the game to Woodley. On 75 minutes Oliver went on a superb run down the right hand channel and she sent in a beautifully weighted cross, with Reed coming in at speed at the back post. She met the ball just 5 yards out and the connection was good enough to steer the ball in. With the score line now 4-2, but still in Woodley’s favour, it set up an enthralling finale.

With 4-2 the final score, it was sadly too late for Newbury in this match, but large parts of their display were much improved from previous weeks and certainly gives them a platform to build on. Woodley United have put themselves into the hat for the Round 3 draw, but they were gracious enough at the end to wonder how Newbury are bottom of their division with a display as good as that one.