In Newbury’s next attack after 6 minutes, Sam Atkins won a tackle inside the Chesham half and she played a looping diagonal pass that found Oliver in space to the left of the penalty area. She cut in and as she was about to be closed down by the defender, she showed a neat touch, shooting with the outside of her right boot across the goalkeeper and into the far bottom corner of the net.

Taking an early one nil lead was just the start that Newbury had wanted, but the home side hit back well, launching some good attacks of their own, particularly down the Newbury left, where the Chesham number 9 was starting to cause a few problems. Further chances came Newbury’s way, with shots wide and over the bar from Panting and Creese respectively.

Then on 22 minutes, Chesham forced an equaliser, after the Newbury defence didn’t deal with an initial attempt on goal and the second shot fizzed back in, finding the back of the Newbury net for 1-1. But still more of the clear cut chances were coming Newbury’s way, but they were unable to regain the lead as the first half wore on.

With just 8 minutes until the break, Newbury had their best chance after good work down the left hand channel by Lorna Parr and Panting. Panting did brilliantly to deliver the ball across the face of the Chesham goal, but no one was following in for Newbury at the back post and the chance went begging.

The visitors were to rue that missed opportunity just two minutes later when they found themselves behind for the first time in the match. Newbury cleared the ball up to the half way line, but with no challenge or pressure, the Chesham defence were able to send the ball straight back over the heads of the Newbury midfield and into the danger area just on the edge of the box. Newbury’s defence miss-controlled the ball and the Chesham striker stole in to provide a cool finish and give her side a 2-1 lead at the interval.

After the re-start, Newbury came out with renewed purpose and full of attacking intent. Both wingers for Newbury, Creese on the right and Reed on the left, showed a real willingness to get forward, take on the Chesham full backs and deliver good quality crosses into the box. Unfortunately for Newbury, there was again no one on the end of two early chances. On 57 minutes, Oliver was replaced up front by Caz Harkness.

With Creese now encouraged to push on at every opportunity, she seemed to have the beating of the Chesham left back. Two further crosses from the right for Newbury were cleared and saved. Then Creese herself went on a forward run where she cut into the Chesham area and shot at goal. Unfortunately her low effort could only find the side netting.

It was now continuous Newbury pressure, as they went in search of an equaliser, but the clock was ticking as the match entered its final phase. Newbury made their second substitution on 75 minutes, bringing on Kirsty Parfett into midfield in place of Parr. Her impact was almost immediate when just two minutes after her introduction, she received a pass deep inside Chesham territory. She took one step forward and in space, she struck a dipping shot that sailed over the keeper’s head and into the net for 2-2.

With just 10 minutes of normal time remaining, Newbury were not finished and again, Creese was putting in an inspirational display as captain. She was fed a pass by Harkness and provided an excellent cross from the right, which a Chesham defender just managed to head over for a corner. Chesham’s back line was under real pressure and in an almost identical move, Harkness and Creese combined again. This time Creese’s cross was met at the far post by Panting, who converted from close range, with the goalkeeper stranded.

Taking a 3-2 lead was no less than Newbury deserved, based on their second half performance alone. Newbury’s last change of the match saw Lauren Sheldon introduced in place of Reed, who had given a wholehearted and effective performance.

Newbury then had to see out a nervy 6 minutes of stoppage time, but they showed good composure and experience throughout the side, to slow down the tempo whenever possible. The match ended on 96 minutes and Newbury had recorded a very good opening day 3-2 victory away from home, turning around a one goal deficit in the process. It was a very pleasing team performance.

Match report by Sue Hewett.