The best of the opening period was Newbury’s, with some good early pressure and most of the play deep into Bracknell Town territory. Three chances came to Ruby Oliver, but she only tested the keeper with one shot. The other two efforts falling just wide of the target. Newbury also forced a succession of corners, with one header from Nicole Beesley narrowly passing the wrong side of the far post. Then on 35 minutes, some quick thinking by Oliver to take an early throw, sent away Newbury Captain, Caroline Harkness and she forced yet another corner for her side. Oliver delivered the cross from the set piece and it was met by the head of Harkness, only for the ball to crash against the crossbar. But it was Harkness that was alive to the rebound first and following up, she headed in from 6 yards to open the scoring and give Newbury a deserved one nil lead.

Newbury carried that lead into the half time break and they looked comfortable.

As expected after the re-start, Bracknell Town came out firing. Newbury were forced into an early re-shuffle, with Sam Atkins requiring treatment off the pitch. Gemma Povey showed her versatility by replacing her in midfield and Sophie Self came on in defence. Bracknell Town had one guilt edged chance five minutes later, when a good diagonal ball from the left, evaded every Newbury defender, but the shot from Bracknell’s striker sailed high and over the bar, when only 6 yards out. Atkins was then able to return to the fray, replacing Lauren Hanson in defence, after she too had picked up a knock.

Laura Ainscough in the Newbury goal, was by now much the busier of the two keepers, but her assured presence was vital and she was solid whenever called upon, or when it looked like the Newbury rear guard might just be breached. A huge moment in the game came in the 66th minute, when Harkness picked up a pass in midfield and unleashed a thunderbolt shot from 25 yards. The goalkeeper was beaten all ends up, but unfortunately for Newbury the shot cannoned against the crossbar and rebounded away to safety.

The match was now really end to end and it was an enthralling encounter for the supporters. As Bracknell pushed forward once more, they were rewarded for their efforts when they played a ball over the top and behind the Newbury back line. Ainscough came out from her area, but she wasn’t able to meet the ball first, although she still put the striker under real pressure. The shot was slightly mis-hit, but it cleared Ainscough and nestled into the far top corner. Bracknell would certainly feel they deserved the equaliser and the score-line was now one goal apiece after 81 minutes.

Now it was all about digging in for Newbury, because the heads of the Bracknell players were definitely lifted and them seemed intent on trying to score a winner. Ainscough was commanding in her area, punching one cross clear and saving well down low to her left. When another Bracknell effort was heading goal-ward, it was defender, Povey, who raced back to clear off her line with just three minutes of normal time remaining. Maria Rodrigues continued to battle well for Newbury on the right of midfield and Nuria Bel had given an outstanding performance on her full debut for the visitors. As the final whistle blew and the game ended in a 1-1 draw, Newbury Ladies were delighted to have picked up a hard earned point away from home.