As the match kicked off, Newbury showed no sign of any nerves and were not overawed by their visitors, despite Reading boasting several youth internationals in their ranks. The tie remained goal less for just 11 minutes however, after Reading broke down the left. The initial cross was cleared back across the Newbury penalty area and fell invitingly to an onrushing midfielder who sent a looping header high over the head of the Newbury goalkeeper and into the top left hand corner of the net. One nil to Reading.

The visiting side were playing at a high tempo and began to exert some real pressure on the Newbury back line, forcing a string a corners. Newbury held Reading at bay again until the 20th minute, when a 25 yard shot was rifled just inside the right hand post, with Chloe Hunt in the Newbury goal helpless.

Reading’s front pairing, that included the FA Women’s Premier Division top scorer this season in Nicki Watts, were causing Newbury all sorts of problems with their movement and close control. Reading’s midfield were also dominant and it came as no surprise when Reading scored a fifth goal on 30 minutes.

The visiting keeper was able to palm away her first effort, and the second chance came after a good pass over the top of the defence from Newbury’s Naomi Purvis. Oliver though was put under pressure by two covering Reading defenders and the chance eluded her and drifted wide.

After Reading had hit the post with another effort at the other end, they forced two corners in quick succession, converting the second from close range to make it 6-0. And just prior to the half time break, a 7th Reading goal came from a rebound, after Newbury’s keeper Hunt had initially saved a powerful shot.

At the re-start, Newbury were forced into a substitution, after Ellie Reed had picked up an injury during the first period and was replaced by Kendall Gilmore, who played centrally, with Oliver moved to the left.

Newbury were again under sustained Reading pressure, but they refused to let their heads drop and kept battling away. Newbury goalkeeper, Chloe Hunt was pulling off a string of first class saves and blocks to deny Reading adding to their tally. Gilmore was putting herself about further up the pitch for Newbury and was well supported by both Leanne Creese on the right and Lily Chubb, who was showing real desire to break from midfield.

Unfortunately for the home side, Reading broke down the right wing on the hour mark and produced a cut back across the Newbury box, with a Reading striker supplying a neat side foot finish for 8 nil. Just five minutes later, Newbury again had a shot from the edge of the area, after Chubb had beaten a Reading defender on the left, to play in Purvis, who’s shot went wide.

That proved to be a rare Newbury attack, as the score line reached double figures, with two quick goals for Reading in the 66th and 69th minutes, and they made it 11 nil on 72 minutes. The next 15 minute spell saw Reading mercilessly add another 5 goals to take it to a harsh 16 nil score line.

That didn’t reflect Newbury’s work rate and character running throughout the whole team, with every player acquitting themselves well against far superior opponents. Newbury’s efforts were very nearly rewarded with a consolation goal in the last two minutes when a Reading clearance fell straight to Gilmore, who struck it sweetly from 30 yards. The shot was goal bound and had the Reading keeper diving at full stretch to her left. Her alertness was applauded, as she had had little to do throughout the second half. Gilmore’s shot surely stung her fingers, but she saved very well and pushed the shot away, with Newbury’s Creese shooting over the bar from a tight angle on the rebound.

So the tie finished with a very safe passage for the Reading Women, with a clean sheet and 16 goals. But it was certainly a very good experience for Newbury Ladies.

Attendance: 85