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Newbury Ladies FC hosted Chinnor Ladies & Girls in the SSE Women’s FA Cup at the home of Kintbury Rangers FC.
Looking for their first win of the season, Newbury got off to the perfect start when Bex Walker won the ball on the right and played in Ellie Reed. Her turn and cross found Nicole Beesley un-marked at the back post. But with the goal gaping, she mis-timed her shot. Fortunately for Newbury however, Amy McNab was there to latch onto the loose ball and tap in from 6 yards to open the scoring.
The tension returned on 9 minutes when Chinnor equalised with a 35 yard lob that looped over the Newbury goalkeeper. But Newbury then piled on the pressure, with some neat attacking play. Chances came and went for Caroline Harkness and Kendall Gilmour, with both efforts clearing the Chinnor cross bar. But Newbury did regain the lead after 20 minutes in a brilliant team move that started when Megan Kirby coolly brought the ball out from defence. Her pass into Harkness’ feet set Newbury on their way, with Reed also involved and supplying a cross to the far post, for Walker to slot home. 2-1 to Newbury.
Just inside the half hour mark, Newbury’s lead was extended further when a Reed corner was met by the head of Harkness. Her attempt was blocked, but the ball fell to Gilmour, who slammed the ball home from close range for 3-1.
Newbury Ladies were now dominant and well in control as half time approached. Although Chinnor did have one fast break away attempt, which Hannah Byrne marshalled well and steered the danger away from Newbury’s goal. Her side’s two goal cushion was protected and the score-line remained at 3-1 to Newbury at the interval.
The second half started in the same vein as the first, with Newbury flying out of the blocks and attacking at speed. This time Lauren Hanson started the move on the right, feeding Walker on the wing. She in turned linked up with McNab, who had selflessly run into the channel to stretch the Chinnor defence. McNab’s cross was perfect and met with a first time volley from Reed. The Chinnor goalkeeper pulling off a good save to deny her. The Newbury scoring was to continue however, with Reed opening her account in the 55th minute, after a pass from Beesley. She thundered in a shot from 20 yards across the goalkeeper and into the far corner for 4-1.
Three minutes later, Newbury made their first substitution, with Amie Barnard replacing Beesley. This resulted in Walker moving over to the left flank, where she was just as effective. Linking with McNab again, Walker scored her second of the game on 66 minutes, giving Newbury a 5-1 lead. A momentary lapse in concentration at the back, saw Chinnor gifted a goal in the 74th minute, but Newbury were still comfortable at 5-2.
As the tie moved into its closing stages, McNab capped a fine display with her second goal and Newbury’s sixth goal, when she latched onto a loose clearance by the goalkeeper. He first shot was blocked, but she found the net at the second attempt to round off the scoring. The match finishing in a comprehensive 6-2 victory for Newbury Ladies and secured their safe passage into the next round of the SSE Women’s FA Cup.
Match report by Sue Hewett
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