| Newbury Ladies hosted Chesham United in the semi-final of the Southern Region Women’s League Chairman’s cup. It was the visitors who made the most of their early chances, going 1-0 up after just 9 minutes, following a diagonal ball from the right which beat the Newbury defense, with the Chesham striker finishing well. Newbury were then under intense pressure and were forced to defend 2 corners, before a terrific save from the Newbury Goalkeeper, Laura Ainscough, saw her tip a looping shot just over the bar. The Newbury goal was however to be breached further with 2 quick goals in succession, with Chesham dominating the attack (3-0).
Newbury pushed for a goal back and Caroline Harkness intercepted the ball in midfield and drove forward before being fouled on the edge of the Chesham penalty box. Leanne Creese took a swerving shot on goal which the goalkeeper managed to push away from the oncoming attackers.
A minute later Ellie Reed then broke down the left and played a neat cross into Caroline Harkness who only managed to head wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Chesham however continued to press at the end of the first half, earning multiple corners and finally converting, making it 4-0. Newbury did have one last chance before half time, with Ellie Reed battling the Chesham defence before breaking free and striking low to the bottom left corner, for the keeper to make a good save and tip the ball round the post.
The second half saw Chesham continue to dominate, forcing another great fingertip save from Laura Ainscough after just two minutes. Sam Atkins, who was playing a more defensive role as centre back for most of the game, cleared away the resulting corner.
Further pressure continued on the Newbury goal and not long after Chesham made it 5-0 with a well taken lob over the keeper.
Newbury continued to try and get a goal, with Leanne Creese and Louise Williamson shooting wide, and good play between Ellie Reed and Kela Gunnlaugsdottir saw them set up Caroline Harkness who played a ball to the back post, just beyond the attacking Louise Williamson. A further chance came when Ellie Reed played a high cross to Leanne Creese and Louise Williamson however the Chesham keeper bravely charged out and gathered the ball from the Newbury attackers.
Newbury were to continue to rue their chances when Chesham earned a free kick for a handball just outside the Newbury penalty area, which was drilled into the six yard box and dispatched neatly to make it 6-0.
Newbury did manage to get one goal back when Nicole Beesley was played down the left hand side by Kela Maskell and took a well-placed shot over the keepers head into the top right corner, from the edge of the box. This was however not to be the end of the Chesham goals when they made it 7 after the defense were unable to clear to ball from inside the 6 yard box.
Match report by Caroline Harkness
|