Without a regular goalkeeper, Newbury’s Captain, Caroline Harkness, donned the gloves and went between the sticks for the first half an hour. She was kept busy in the opening period, as Wycombe forced several corners and were looking to get in behind the Newbury defence. They had one effort ruled out for offside and then Harkness saved well from Wycombe’s Hayley Chandler, when she was played through for a one-on-one chance.

The deadlock was broken in the 35th minute, immediately after Newbury had rotated their goalkeeper. It was unfortunate for Bex Walker, who had taken over in goal, as the onrushing Wycombe striker reached the ball first and looped a header over her and into the Newbury net for one nil. Wycombe had doubled their advantage just four minutes later, although there was hint of offside in the build-up, the goal was allowed to stand. Two nil now to the visitors. Newbury almost got on the score sheet just prior to half time, when Sam Atkins brought the ball out of defence, spraying a good pass up to Phoebe Landreth-Smith. She in turn laid it back for Harkness, who’s first time shot whistled just marginally the wrong side of the post.

Newbury came to life in the second half, creating a higher number of scoring chances and pressing to get back into the game. That said, Wycombe were still dangerous and it was now a much more expansive contest. Lorna Parr was now between the sticks for Newbury and she was called upon on 52 minutes, saving one goal-bound effort with her leg. She was helpless though during Wycombe’s next attack, when a long range shot sailed into the roof of the Newbury net. It was now three nil to the visitors.

Newbury struck back straight away and were able to reduce the deficit. Harkness was now becoming more dominant, driving forward from midfield and she had a shot from the edge of the area that was deflected for a corner. Leanne Creese swung in the corner from the right and an un-marked Harkness rose to head inside the far post. Three one now the score-line.

Just after the hour mark, Newbury struck again. This time Maria Rodrigues worked hard to regain possession for Newbury in a central area, before laying the ball off to Harkness. Her glorious long range effort evaded the Wycombe goalkeeper, who had strayed off her line and the ball just dropped under the cross bar for Harkness’ and Newbury’s second of the afternoon.

As Newbury chased an equaliser, the last part of the match saw Newbury in full flow, with Walker, Rodrigues, Creese and Landreth-Smith all combining well. Their hard work paid off in the 82nd minute, when Landreth-Smith won the ball and played in her team mate, Rodrigues, who still had work to do. She rounded the last defender and advanced into the area, before coolly slotting home. The score-line remained at three all, when the final whistle sounded. A draw was a fair result, with the spoils shared between two experienced footballing sides.

Match report by Sue Hewett