The visiting team kicked off the encounter and went straight on the attack. Newbury dealt with the initial threat and then launched a break forward of their own, involving Shelley Forster and Laura Ainscough. They combined to find captain, Leanne Creese, who shot from 25 yards, but her effort sailed wide.

Forster was making her first full start of the season for Newbury and she was very positive and battling hard in the centre of the park. But it was MK’s pace on the flanks that was proving dangerous and they broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when the MK winger beat the full back to get in behind and drive in a low cross that was converted from 8 yards by the visiting number 9.

Newbury responded well however and were back on level terms just 6 minutes later. They had forced a corner on the right, which Creese swung in and when MK failed to clear, Ellie Reed was there to pounce from 5 yards and stab the ball home.

MK City continued to spread the ball wide and were always looking to exploit their devastating pace. Newbury’s own wingers were called back to try to double up in support of their full backs, but their rear guard was again breached on the half hour mark. This time it was the MK left winger who cut in herself and drove a fierce shot into the roof of the net, to give her side a 2-1 lead.

With the weather conditions worsening and the match being played in torrential rain, there was always the possibility that mistakes would happen. MK benefitted from a lucky bounce and deflection just 2 minutes later, when a shot skidded up in front of the Newbury keeper and fooled her with its change of flight, finding the back of the net for 3-1.

Although Newbury found themselves 2 goals adrift at half time, they believed they were still in the game and that the next goal would be crucial. They were looking dangerous from set plays and corners and they came out for the start of the second half determined to make amends and have a real go at the league’s leaders.

The game was evenly balanced, with the defences for both sides holding firm in the second period. Forster and Parr were getting through a lot of work for Newbury in midfield, with Forster looking to be creative whenever she could. In an attempt to affect the game and find a way back into it, Zoe Davie was thrown on up front, with Gemma Burnett withdrawn on 66 minutes.

It was Davie who had one strong run down the right hand channel, shooting from a tight angle. The Newbury bench thought she had scored, as the ball landed on the roof of the net, but unfortunately it had sailed just the wrong side of the cross bar.

With time running out and Newbury tiring, MK City effectively sealed victory in the 84th minute, when they extended their lead to 4 goals to 1. And they completed the rout on 88 minutes, scoring their fifth of the afternoon. It was a comprehensive and comfortable victory for MK City, who cemented their place at the top of the Southern Region’s Division One table.

Match Report by Sue Hewett