Newbury Ladies FC travelled to Banbury United and it was the visitors who kicked off this encounter. They started keenly and with real purpose. Within two minutes, captain Caroline Harkness was played through for a one on one opportunity and shot goal-ward. The Banbury goalkeeper came rushing out of her area and handled the ball outside of the box, in order to prevent what looked a certain goal. It was a shame, as it was a great chance for Newbury to open the scoring. With the home keeper only shown a yellow card, she was able to resume her position in between the sticks for Banbury, as Newbury lined up the resultant free kick. Newbury’s current top scorer, Ellie Reed, lined up the set piece. She lifted her shot over the wall and saw it cannon into the roof of the net, clipping the underside of the bar on the way in. It was a brilliant strike and gave Newbury an early one nil lead after just four minutes.

After the early drama, both sides settled down and the rest of half proved to be a very even and closely fought encounter. Both Reed and Nicole Beesley had further shots for Newbury, with Reed’s effort narrowly wide and Beesley’s shot well saved. Banbury’s solitary strike, was comfortably saved by Laura Ainscough in the Newbury goal and Newbury’s outfield players continued to provide solid protection in front of Ainscough, as the first half progressed. With half time approaching and Newbury’s single goal lead still intact, Beesley was replaced by Lauren Hanson. However just six minutes later, Newbury suffered their first injury of the match, when defender Megan Kirby aggravated a shoulder problem. Beesley returned to the action, with Hanson moved into the back line.

The remaining five minutes of the first half, saw two good scoring chances falling to Lou Williamson up front for Newbury, but she was unable to convert. So it remained one nil at the break.

Not long after the re-start Newbury shuffled the pack again. This time introducing Kendall Gilmour in attack, with Williamson given a breather. They were forced into another substitution five minutes later, on 61 minutes, after Harkness collided with the Banbury keeper, in an incident not too dissimilar to the one in the first half. Again she was through one on one, but on this occasion the goalkeeper reached the ball first within her area. Harkness came off worst in the challenge though and required treatment off the pitch. Lorna Parr, her replacement in midfield.

Newbury quickly regained possession and earned a throw-in deep on the left. This was quickly taken by Reed, who’s throw found Beesley close to the dead ball line. Showing superb skill, Beesley dribbled into the penalty area, taking the ball easily around the defender. She looked up and saw Gilmour advancing close to the ‘D’. Beesley’s cut back found the unmarked Gilmour, who struck a thunderous first time shot into the far top corner. It gave the goalkeeper no chance and almost tore through the net, it was struck that powerfully. It gave Newbury a two goal cushion with 27 minutes remaining.

Newbury were keen to see their skipper, Harkness, return to the pitch and she was able to do so with 67 minutes on the clock. Goal scorer, Gilmour, was the player to step aside. With 15 minutes remaining, Newbury suffered another huge injury blow, when defender Hannah Byrne went down and she too had to be replaced. This saw the reintroduction of Williamson in attack, with Sam Atkins slotting into Newbury’s back line. Unfortunately, Newbury conceded just five minutes later, after intense pressure from the home side. Two one now the score-line, with 80 minutes of normal time played.

The drama continued, as two minutes later Harkness came off worst in a committed 50/50 challenge in the heart of the midfield battle. In severe pain, she needed to be stretchered off, with Gilmour again returning to play her part. It was now a real back to the walls performance for Newbury, with everyone digging deep and working so hard for each other. They were determined to hang on and they did so superbly, defending for all they were worth. It was a huge relief when the Referee finally blew his whistle for full time. The victory was Newbury’s. It was a 2-1 win and the accumulation of another fine three points. It was also the first time this season that Newbury Ladies FC had secured two back to back wins. Although only one other side in the division has played more league matches, Newbury now sit in second place in the Southern Region Premier League and confidence is good.

Report by Sue Hewett.