In the sixth minute, Caroline Harkness was fouled on the left just outside the area. Newbury captain, Leanne Creese stepped up to take the set piece and she shot directly at goal. Although the Woodley keeper managed to get a palm to the ball, the shot was that well struck, that she was unable to keep it out of the net. Newbury had stunned their visitors by taking an early one nil lead.

It was the same starting eleven for Woodley United that had demolished Mansfield Road 6-1 the previous Sunday and yet Newbury were dominant in the opening period of this encounter. They had doubled their advantage on 16 minutes, when Newbury striker, Gemma Burnett determinedly chased down a Woodley back pass to their keeper. The kick from the keeper struck Burnett and rebounded goal-ward. Just when it looked like the ball might bobble agonisingly wide of the post, Burnett had continued her forward run. She collected the ball inside the by-line and coolly controlled, before slotting into the empty net from three yards. In doing so, she gave her side a deserved two nil lead.

Gradually, as the half wore on, Woodley began to build from the back with some attacking play, but they were unable to find a way through a very well organised, disciplined and resolute Newbury midfield and defence. Newbury maintained their two goal advantage until just one minute before half time, when a Woodley break down the right, saw a deep cross float into the six yard box. For the first time that afternoon the ball had evaded all of the Newbury defenders and it was smashed home just inside the back post by the on-rushing Jo Walsh-Perks. 2-1 the score-line at the half time interval.

When the second period re-started, Newbury were determined to hold firm and protect their lead, which they did superbly. They were producing arguably their best performance of the season, such was the quality of their team work and fighting spirit. They dispelled attack after Woodley attack and continued to thoroughly frustrate their visitors. As the clock ticked down, with the ninety minutes approaching and just as it looked as if Newbury would record a famous victory, up popped former Newbury Player of the Year, Rachel Panting, to steal in to the Newbury penalty area and connect with a cross from the right, to stab home an equaliser. It was cruel on Newbury, who had given a gutsy display, full of pride and passion. But the snatching of the equaliser in the 88th minute, underlined the quality of the Woodley side and yet it would be Newbury Ladies FC who were by far the happier with the point, than their visitors from along the M4.