Newbury started strongly with a good break down the right, which resulted in a shot from Laura Ainscough. A Tower defender was able to block the effort however and the danger was cleared. Ainscough was then involved in the next attack, when she flicked on a header that Rachel Panting latched onto, only to see her shot drift just wide.

Tower Hill did have one attempt on goal inside ten minutes, but Newbury goalkeeper, Chloe Hunt made a good save. Then on 14 minutes, Hunt hit a long goal kick out of her hands that had the Tower backline retreating. But it was Panting who had timed her run brilliantly to race clear of the defence. She showed immaculate control to gather the long ball and then bore down on goal, drawing the keeper out and then firing past her to open the scoring and give Newbury a deserved one nil lead.

Tower came into the match more after the re-start and it was turning into a fairly even game, with both midfields competing well. Newbury’s defence, with debutant, Kate Draper, were performing well and looked comfortable, but it was goalkeeper, Hunt, who was in fine early season form.

Tower created a great chance to equalise after a very good break down the Newbury left. The Tower winger swung in a terrific cross, which was met with a bullet header aimed just under the cross bar. Hunt produced an equally excellent reflex save to push the effort over the bar for a corner.

Despite that scare, Newbury extended their lead on 27 minutes, when Nicole Beesley and Caroline Harkness combined well in midfield. Panting then played a wonderful sweeping cross to the left of the penalty area, where Ellie Reed was cutting in to meet it and she struck a low first time shot back across goal and into the far corner of the net for 2-0 to the home side.

The first half finished with a brace of goals, one for each side. Newbury were first, as they cruised into a three goal lead after a thumping shot from Beelsey on the edge of the area. But then Tower Hill were able to get on the score sheet at the stroke of half time, when their winger cut in to score. Her shot just evading the diving Hunt and going in off the inside of the far post.

Newbury again started the second period well, with some good attacking momentum. Panting was proving to be the main creative force and she went on one terrific solo effort, having started on the half way line. Her 25 yard shot had the Tower keeper beaten, but the ball clipped the cross bar and sailed agonisingly over.

The score-line remained at 3-1 to Newbury until the 75th minute when Kendall Gilmour latched onto a bobbling ball inside the Tower area. As she was about to shoot, her heels were clipped and the Referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Having won the penalty, it was Gilmour who stepped up to convert it, coolly slamming her shot to the right of the keeper and into the roof of the net for 4-1.

Within three minutes, Tower Hill pulled a goal back, having forced a corner from the re-start. The visitors had sent up several of their experienced players and it was their left back that found space inside the area to connect and prod the ball home. 4-2 now.

Newbury’s players did begin to tire towards the end of the contest and two injuries meant they had to play the last 8 minutes with just ten players on the pitch. But this didn’t affect the final 4-2 score-line and the match ended in a good first home victory for Newbury Ladies Football Club.

Match report by Sue Hewett