Newbury forced the first corner, but the cross evaded everyone in the penalty area. As Woodley cleared, their pace on the break made them a dangerous proposition. Leanne Saunders clearing well for Newbury. Walker was involved in much of Newbury’s attacking play in the opening period and she turned provider on 15 minutes, crossing for Reed, who could only steer her shot high over the bar. Newbury made their first tactical change just after, with Kela Gunnlaugsdottir introduced from the subs bench. Within a minute, Newbury had taken the lead. Skipper, Caroline Harkness combined well with Walker, collecting a neat pass inside and swinging in a beautiful cross from the right. This was met first time by Reed just on the edge of the area, who’s powerful right foot shot was on target this time and beat the keeper all ends up. One nil to Newbury.

Having taken the lead, Newbury were now controlling much of the tempo of the match. Their midfield were well on top, with fantastic work from Lorna Parr, Gunnlaugsdottir and Harkness. The Newbury defence too, looked very sound and as half time approached, even though Woodley enjoyed a couple of attacks, these were comfortably dealt with and the score-line remained one nil to Newbury at the break.

As expected, the home side came out to have a real go at Newbury at the start of the second half. The opening 10-15 minutes saw Newbury pegged back into their own half, but they continued to defend resolutely. One Woodley shot hit the cross bar, but the striker was already adjudged to be off-side at the time. Just after the hour mark, Woodley’s number 9, Rosie Paige-Smith, escaped the Newbury back line, latching onto a through ball and racing away for a one-on-one opportunity. As she entered the penalty area, Newbury’s Laura Ainscough came out to narrow the angle and she managed to get a touch on the shot to just deflect the ball wide of the far post. Woodley had to settle for a corner, instead of drawing level.

Having hung in and weathered the early storm after half time, Newbury grew in confidence. Then on 67 minutes, after great work by Reed, her persistence saw her win the ball high up the pitch. She was able to find Harkness, who threaded an inch perfect pass into the area for Walker. Beating the Woodley defender to the pass, Walker chipped the ball first time over the goalkeeper and into the net, to give her side a two goal cushion. Newbury really knocked the stuffing out of Woodley just two minutes later when Beesley and Harkness combined to set up Reed for another right foot curling shot from the edge of the area. It was another excellent goal, further extending Newbury’s lead to three nil, with 21 minutes remaining.

One final scare saw Woodley again hit the bar, although Ainscough was then able to recover her position and make the save, keeping her clean sheet intact. Then almost the final action of the game saw Newbury score a fourth goal, after Amy McNab did well to win a header in a central area. The ball was brought down by Kendall Gilmour and she threaded an excellent through ball into the path of Maria Rodrigues. Still with a lot to do, she rounded the on-rushing Woodley keeper and coolly slotted home in the 95th minute.

4 – 0 the final score-line and it had been an excellent away performance from Newbury Ladies. The win seeing them pick up their first three points of the season.

Report by Sue Hewett.