Newbury kicked off the match and looked to attack from the start, winning their first corner after just two minutes and good work up front from Nicole Beesley. Although the home keeper failed to claim the ball from the corner, the Tower Hill defence were able to clear. Newbury’s first attempt on goal came in the 7th minute when Rachel Panting tried to lob the goalkeeper from 25 yards. Her shot was narrowly wide of the post, with the keeper scrambling helplessly.

Two further Newbury corners followed, although they were unable to capitalise from their early pressure and dominance. Panting was looking the most likely to conjure up a goal, with another shot from distance well saved this time. Then on 14 minutes, disaster struck. Tower Hill broke quickly through the middle and played a defence splitting pass to send their striker through on goal. A well taken finish saw the home side open the scoring and take a one nil lead against the run of play.

The goal gave Tower Hill a lot of confidence and they started to come more into the game, with a sustained spell of pressure. Importantly for Newbury, they showed good resolve and refused to buckle any further, with Leanne Saunders the pick of the defenders. Gradually Newbury were able to regain their attacking momentum and they continued to force corner after corner. They could not find a goal however, with good headed chances for Ellie Reed and Gemma Povey going begging.

As the first half drew to a close, it was Newbury who were on top and finishing strongly, but still an equaliser evaded them. With just two minutes until the half time whistle, Beesley was sent clear of the Tower defence and as she burst through, the home goalkeeper came racing out. Beesley was always going to be first to the ball and as she clipped it past the keeper, her run was ended by a clattering challenge and she was cynically brought down. The free kick on the edge of the area was awarded to Newbury, but crucially the Referee allowed the goalkeeper to escape without any punishment and remain on the field, when it looked to be the denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity. Newbury captain, Leanne Creese, stepped up to take the kick and she was very unlucky to see her effort just sail onto and over the cross bar.

As the half time whistle blew, Newbury were still one nil behind.

Although Tower Hill kicked off the second half, it was Newbury who quickly took possession and took control, with both Panting and Beesley combining well in attack. Creese was also proving a threat from the right flank and after just three minutes, it was her cross in behind the defence that fell invitingly for Beesley to run onto. This time as she bore down on goal, she rounded the keeper on the left and then coolly dispatched a side foot finish into the empty net for one all. It was another well taken goal.

Unfortunately, Newbury showed a lack of composure and they conceded again within two minutes of the re-start. They were most definitely the architects of their own downfall, as they failed to clear the ball from their own penalty area. The ball was bouncing around and it was a home player that latched onto the loose ball and blazed a shot into the net to restore Tower Hill’s lead. Two goals to one now for the home side after 53 minutes.

With Newbury again trailing, the match turned into a very even affair. The visitors were still keen to attack and show the character to come once again from behind, but Tower Hill were showing good organisation, as they attempted to hang onto their lead. Both sides were having efforts on goal in a tense and enthralling encounter. In the 64th minute, Newbury’s defence lost the ball in a central position 25 yards out, allowing the striker to run through on goal. This time, Chloe Hunt raced out from the Newbury goal, narrowing the angle and making an excellent save low down to her right. She was able to force the shot just wide of the upright, giving Tower a corner.

Hunt again saved another Tower shot and her two vital interventions undoubtedly kept her side in the match, preventing Tower Hill from further extending their lead. Sam McConnon was replaced at full back for Newbury with 15 minutes remaining, with the oncoming Lauren Sheldon supplying the needed fresh legs. She hadn’t yet touched the ball however, when a second equaliser was found following a Newbury throw on the far right. Panting was found inside the penalty area and was able to turn and send in a cross. This was met by midfielder Lorna Parr, who had timed her run into the area brilliantly. She controlled the ball on her chest, bringing it down and then clipping the ball on the volley goal-wards. Her shot floated high over the goalkeeper’s head and looped into the far top corner. A second equalising goal was no more than Newbury deserved for all their endeavours of the afternoon.

With the score line now tied at 2-2, the last 14 minutes of the match provided a pulsating finale, as both sides continued to push for a winner. It was end to end entertainment. On 86 minutes, there was a real goalmouth scramble in the Newbury penalty area, with the ball striking the base of the post. Goalkeeper, Hunt was spread-eagled, but she somehow managed to remove the ball from the feet of the Tower striker, using her own legs to smother it and gather it into herself. This was a real scare for Newbury, just 2 yards from the goal line. But they escaped and saw out the game, earning a share of the spoils. One point a piece for a 2-2 draw and it was definitely a fair result, which saw Newbury move up one place in the league table.