The opening period was fairly even, although a Reading attack on 10 minutes forced a corner, which was swung in dangerously to the Newbury box. The half volleyed shot by the Reading player was high over the bar and Newbury escaped the early scare.

Central midfield for both teams was proving to be a real battleground, with neither side really getting hold of the ball and producing any fluidity to their passing. Both defences were on top and chances in the final third were proving few and far between. Newbury had a good opportunity on 28 minutes, after Ellie Reed was fouled on the edge of the area, after she had cut in from the left wing. The free kick was taken by Newbury Captain, Caroline Harkness, and she curled her effort around the wall, only to see the Reading goalkeeper palm the ball up onto the bar. Then following in, Newbury’s Gemma Povey reacted first to the rebound, but her close range header was just too high.

The half finished with more pressure from the home side, but Newbury’s defence were coping well, with goalkeeper, Chloe Hunt, in fine form between the sticks for Newbury. 0-0 the half time score.

At the break Newbury were forced to make their first substitution, with debutant Kirsty Parfett coming into central midfield and Sam Atkins, who was unlucky to aggravate an old injury, making way. Newbury reorganised straight away, with both Rachel Panting and Lily Chubb, both playing up front, forcing the Reading keeper to make saves early after the re-start.

But then it was Hunt in the Newbury goal that was again called into action, saving well down to her right to give Reading a corner. She punched out the resulting corner kick, but only to the edge of the box, where a Reading midfielder swung a shot back in. The goal bound effort evaded Hunt, but cannoned back off the crossbar and away, to allow Newbury to clear.

Newbury’s second change came on 55 minutes when full back Leanne Saunders was withdrawn for Sophie Self. Reading were now enjoying a spell of pressure, forcing Hunt to again make a save onto her crossbar. So it was no real surprise when it was Reading who opened the scoring on 65 minutes. Newbury failed to deal with a corner and a shot was rifled in, leaving Hunt with no chance. One nil to Reading.

Quite quickly after the re-start, Reading rattled the cross bar again, but were not able to extend their lead. As the mid-way point of the half approached, Newbury started to rally, with Parfett adding some bite into the centre of midfield and beginning to get a grip in that area. In possession, Newbury worked the ball down the right flank, with both Chubb and Lorna Parr involved in the move. They were able to send Panting clear on the right and she drove to the corner flag, before sending over a delightful cross that was met well by Reed at the far post for a simple tap in and an equaliser for Newbury on 73 minutes.

There was no parity in the score line for long however, as Newbury found themselves behind again just four minutes later, when a through ball split the defence and the Reading substitute striker ran through on goal to finish well, nestling her shot in the bottom left corner and giving Reading a 2-1 lead.

Newbury though, showed fantastic spirit and desire, and a real ‘never say die’ attitude. Both sides were tiring in the final ten minutes, but it was Newbury’s attackers and midfielders that had the stronger legs, with Parfett and Panting both having shots that were blocked and just wide.

With 87 minutes on the clock, Newbury again worked the ball down the right, with Self starting a move from right back and Chubb holding the ball up well, before laying off a pass to Panting. Her clean strike beat the Reading keeper and Newbury again drew level at two goals apiece. Whilst Reading will feel they created more chances overall, Newbury showed excellent resilience and great character to come from behind twice away from home to earn a point. Both Panting and Parfett had excellent debuts, and Hunt maintained her fine form from last season in the Newbury goal. 2-2 the final score.