Midway through the first half, Newbury’s Nicole Beesley played a good pass to Kendall Gilmore, who although still some 30 yards from goal, turned and volleyed over the stranded Aylesbury goalkeeper to give Newbury a well deserved 1-0 lead.

Gilmore looked ever dangerous and she doubled Newbury’s advantage just 10 minutes later, unleashing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. The score 2-0 to Newbury at the half-time break.

Unfortunately for Newbury, just after the re-start Sarah Haughey suffered a nasty ligament injury and had to depart from the field. This break in play and the loss of Haughey seemed to throw the Newbury players for a period and it allowed Aylesbury a way back into the game. With the Newbury defence under increasing pressure, Leanne Saunders was harshly judged to have brought down an Aylesbury attacker inside the area and the Referee awarded a penalty to the home side.

Newbury goalkeeper, Hazel Beesley, making her first appearance of the season, got down well to save the resulting spot kick, but it was an Aylesbury player that reacted first to slot home the rebound. 2-1 now the score, with 25 minutes remaining.

Newbury’s defence held firm however, with Hazel Beesley playing exceptionally well in goal. As the final whistle blew, Newbury had held on to take all 3 points and a 2-1 victory. It was a very good all round team performance that bodes very well for 2012 and the matches ahead.

The only sour note on the day being the cruel injury to Sarah Haughey, whom it is hoped makes a quick recovery.