Newbury Ladies Football
Match Report -- Season 2011-12
Southern Region Women's Football League
Jubilee Cup Group C
Sunday 1st April 2012
Newbury Ladies 4 Marlow Ladies 0
Newbury Ladies were again involved in a home Jubilee Cup group match with Marlow Ladies this time providing the opposition.

Although Marlow forced an early corner, it was well cleared by the Newbury defence and the home side launched an attack of their own inside the first five minutes. Ruby Oliver floated a pass out to the right wing, for Newbury skipper, Leanne Creese to take in her stride. She drove into the final third and struck well from distance, but her attempt cleared the cross bar and went over for a Marlow goal kick.

Just 6 minutes later and another Newbury chance went begging. Midfielder Anna Risdale powered forward and played a clever pass into the left channel for team mate Ellie Reed to collect. Reed then cut back inside and shot from the edge of the area, but she too had her sights set too high in the early stages and the effort again went over the Marlow bar.

As the first quarter of an hour passed, Newbury were in command and really upping the tempo. A looping right wing cross from Creese sailed over the head of the Marlow keeper and also over Reed, and it drifted narrowly wide of the far upright. Within a minute it was Creese again for Newbury, whose cross flashed in front of the Marlow goal. Oliver was rushing in to meet it, but the ball flew agonisingly just inches past her outstretched boot and away to safety.

The scoring opportunities were all Newbury’s in this period, with two further chances for Reed not converted, and Creese also terrorising the left full back, but skimming a further shot narrowly over the bar. It wasn’t until the 37th minute that Newbury were able to open the scoring. After all the good, attacking football that had been previously on display, the goal really came from nothing, with Reed latching onto a loose, bobbling ball and firing in a shot from the edge of the area that nestled inside the right hand post to put Newbury one nil up.

The home side doubled their advantage just before half time, when they worked the ball forward very well on the right, with several good passes interchanged between Reed, Oliver and Creese. The final pass was rolled in to the path of the advancing Risdale, who struck left footed and found the far bottom corner, giving the Marlow goal keeper no chance. 2 nil to Newbury at the break.

The second half started with a brief passage of Marlow pressure, but without the visitors being able to force an actual scoring chance. Chloe Hunt in the Newbury goal acting more as a sweeper, showing great alertness to come off her line and working well with her two centre halves of Gemma Povey and Sophie Self.

On the hour mark, there was some very good build-up play from Newbury, with Hanson, Risdale and Oliver all involved and the attack resulting in a corner for Newbury. Defender Gemma Povey strode forward and connected firmly to the cross with her head, only to see her goal bound effort cleared off the line. As Povey attempted to stab at the rebound, a scramble followed in the 6 yard area, but Marlow were able to clear the danger, but not without sustaining an injury to their keeper. She would be unable to finish the match and with no Marlow substitutes, they were forced down to 10 players for the last half an hour.

With 17 minutes to go, Newbury’s Naomi Purvis, who had been carrying a slight knock, was withdrawn after giving a great defensive performance. Sam Atkins slotting into left back in her place. As the Marlow players began to tire, the result was all but wrapped up when Newbury were awarded a penalty on 77 minutes. It was Oliver who was upended just inside the Marlow box, even though she was heading away from goal at the time. Leanne Saunders stepped up to clinically thunder home the spot kick and give Newbury a deserved 3 nil lead.

That was to be Saunders’ last involvement, when she was substituted and left the field to soak up the acclaim and a round of applause from the spectators. Her replacement Zoe Lambden coming on for the last 12 minutes. Ruby Oliver rounded off the scoring for Newbury in injury time, when she was set up by Reed, who played the deftest of chips over the Marlow back line to send Oliver clear. Her first time shot across the goalkeeper, fizzed into the net for 4 nil.

4 goals from 4 different goal scorers, a clean sheet and another 3 points, making it a very good day for Newbury Ladies Football Club. They have now won their Jubilee Cup group, with a game to spare and have secured their passage to the Quarter Finals.

Players: Chloe Hunt, Lauren Hanson, Sophie Self, Gemma Povey, Naomi Purvis (replaced by Sam Atkins 73 mins), Lorna Parr, Leanne Saunders (replaced by Zoe Lambden 78 mins), Anna Risdale, Leanne Crease (Capt), Ellie Reed, Ruby Oliver.
Referee: Western Mufiri
Goal scorers
Elli Reed,
Anna Risdale,
Leanne Saunders (pen),
Ruby Oliver
Player of the match
Next fixture

Southern Region Premier

League season closed
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