The first changes from the bench were made by Newbury in the 24th minute, with the introduction of Zoe Davie and debutant, Sarah Davern. Newbury doubled their lead just 5 minutes later, with Panting and Oliver again instrumental. Panting intercepted the ball from a throw and played a cushioned header to Oliver. She found Panting again with a through ball that left Panting one on one with the Thatcham goalkeeper. She advanced into the area and coolly slotted the ball home to score hers and Newbury’s second of the game.

As half time approached, Newbury were well on top and were creating chance after chance. Two quick goals followed in the half’s closing stages, both from wide left. First it was Davern who cut in from the left flank and found the bottom corner with a right footed strike that sailed just inside the near post. Davern then turned provider 3 minutes later, when she picked up a loose clearance and passed to Zoe Davie, who had drifted out wide. Davie took one touch to set herself and then fired in a shot that also beat the keeper at the near post.

4 nil to Newbury the half time scoreline.

Newbury came out after the break looking to maintain their good momentum and attacking threat. This resulted in an own goal after just 3 minutes, when a Thatcham defender headed into her own net. Then on 54 minutes, Oliver was played through for Newbury down the right channel and she scored what could be classed as another fortuitous goal. Thatcham’s keeper misjudged Oliver’s shot, choosing to kick rather than collect, and the ball rolled underneath her leg and over the line for 6 nil.

Barely 2 minutes later and Newbury had extended their lead to 7 nil, following an excellent pass out from defence by Sophie Self. Oliver was again able to capitalise, running onto the lofted pass and drawing out the Thatcham goalkeeper towards her. As she barred down on goal, she chipped the ball beautifully goalwards, only to see a Thatcham defender rush back to clear off the goal line. However, Oliver had continued her run and she was there to pounce on the loose ball, converting from 5 yards out.

Things went from bad to worse for Thatcham just after the hour mark, when their keeper got her hands to a near post corner from Newbury’s Leanne Creese, only to turn the ball into her own net for another cruel own goal and Newbury’s eighth of the afternoon.

The match was now turning into a rout, with Thatcham’s players fast running out of steam and Newbury’s still looking very lively. It became 9 nil to Newbury on 67 minutes, when Ellie Reed linked up intelligently with Davern in midfield and then Reed struck an unstoppable shot from 35 yards to open her goal scoring account for the season.

Davern was again the provider for Newbury in the 85th minute, when she played a lovely crossfield pass over the top for Gemma Burnett to latch onto. This time Burnett had easily beaten the offside trap and she tucked away the chance, even though Thatcham’s goalkeeper managed to get a hand to it. 10 nil now to Newbury.

With Newbury’s defence having little trouble all afternoon, a change was made late in the match, with Laura Ainscough handing over her gloves to Naomi Purvis. Ainscough was brought out of goal and instead took up a striking position for Newbury. From a Newbury throw-in deep on the right, Panting was found infield and she took on and beat the left full back. She delivered a cross to the back post, which was met by Ainscough with an excellent first time volley from 6 yards. Goal saver to goal scorer and she took her side’s tally to 11 goals for the match.

That was not the last action of the day however, as deep into injury time, Thatcham had one foray forward. After a poor throw from Newbury’s substitute keeper, Thatcham were able to intercept and grab a consolation goal with a well struck finish from the edge of the box. 11-1 the final score-line in Newbury Ladies’ favour.

Match report by Sue Hewett.