With MK City penned back in their own half, another good Newbury move started by Leanne Saunders, led to a Caroline Harkness long range effort from just outside the area. This had the goalkeeper at full stretch to deny her, as the ball was pushed over the cross bar for a corner. This was the best start to a match that Newbury had had all season and it was about to get even better. The following Newbury corner was only half cleared and as it dropped to Kela Gunnlaugsdottir in the ‘D’, she struck a looping volley high over the crowded penalty box. This time the keeper was beaten all ends up, but unfortunately for Newbury, the ball clipped the top of the cross bar and with Beesley unable to convert the rebound, the score-line somehow remained goal-less.

To have played so fluidly and so well in the game’s opening period, it was hoped that Newbury wouldn’t again be left to rue so many missed opportunities. But for some more clinical finishing, the home side could have easily been 5 goals ahead. As it was, MK City began to settle and they earned their first corner on 14 minutes, which Newbury did well to clear to safety. As the first half unfolded, the contest become more evenly matched, with a real intensity to the battle in midfield. And yet, neither side could break the deadlock. In the period just before half time, Laura Ainscough was called upon in the Newbury goal to make a save and then a MK City player headed over the bar, when she should have hit the target. This was a let-off for Newbury, but they finished the half attacking through Reed and Kendall Gilmour, with the latter’s shot just shy of the upright. It was still 0-0 at half time.

Within one minute of the re-start and Newbury had conceded a soft goal. They weren’t alive to the threat in a central area and allowed an opposing player to enter their area and shoot at goal. The effort clipped the right hand post, but cannoned back across goal, before nestling into the side netting on the left. One nil to MK City. Although this was a blow for Newbury, they still had 44 minutes to make amends. But it was MK City who now had the momentum and created another four scoring chances over the next seven minutes. Ainscough, in Newbury’s goal, making two good saves to keep her side in it.

Newbury re-grouped and went in search of an equaliser. Reed and Creese had further shots, one that went wide and one that was saved. Gilmour was re-introduced by Newbury on 68 minutes, along with Williamson also entering the fray up front. A Reed corner from the right was well met by Gilmour, but her glancing header sailed just wide of the far post and into touch. MK City saw the game out well, but with all their substitutes used, a few players were hanging on at the end, after picking up various knocks. Sadly Newbury couldn’t finish the match as well as they had started it and their search for a goal was in vain. The match finished in a narrow one nil defeat for the home side. However a positive to be taken, is that the same MK City side had comprehensively beaten Newbury Ladies 8-1 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season last September.

The Player of the Match for Newbury Ladies FC was , who kept the visitor’s top scorer, Julianne Gadsby, totally quiet throughout.

Match report by Sue Hewett.