The visitors from Berkshire were clearly not in fear of their higher placed opponents, as they got off to a flying start, seizing possession immediately and then attacking down the right flank through Amie Barnard and Ellie Reed. As Reed’s cross came into the box, the only player for Newbury who had kept up, was Bex Walker. Although the cross was initially met by the Larkhall goalkeeper, she nervously spilled the ball into the path of Walker, who nudged the ball in from 5 yards to give her side a shock one nil lead after just two minutes.

Sadly for Newbury they couldn’t maintain that lead for very long, with Larkhall equalising just 4 minutes later. The game then developed into a very even contest, with the Newbury players fully playing their part in the afternoon’s entertainment. The next chance fell to the visitors after 21 minutes, when Barnard again was the architect. She found Tracey Beales, who spun and lost her marker, shooting well from 25 yards, but with the home keeper stranded, the ball narrowly skimmed the bar. Within 5 minutes of that Newbury chance, Larkhall were then handed the fortune of a penalty award. Whilst there could be no disputing the foul challenge from the Newbury defender, the initial contact looked to start outside the area, but with the momentum of the Larkhall winger’s fall taking her into the box, the Referee pointed to the spot. This was harsh on Newbury, but they were helpless as the spot kick was duly dispatched and saw Larkhall go ahead, two goals to one.

Newbury were stunned two minutes later, when they failed to clear a cross and left a Larkhall player with far too much time inside the area, allowing her to control and pick her spot to score her side’s third goal. They went further behind after 32 minutes, conceding a fourth, but then to their credit, they tried to rally. Two further opportunities came to Beales for Newbury, but the Larkhall goalkeeper saved well both times. Larkhall added a fifth goal just before half time, to take a convincing 5-1 lead into the break.

At the start of the second half, Newbury re-organised in defence with substitute Kendall Gilmour replacing Lauren Hanson, who was carrying a knock. Larkhall Athletic were dominant in possession in the second period and were playing with lots of confidence. The Newbury defence were put under huge pressure, but they held firm for 20 minutes before an excellent cross from the right was well finished at the back post for Larkhall, who were now 6-1 ahead. They scored a seventh goal 5 minutes later when they were again awarded a penalty. Then scored an eighth goal in the 72nd minute and that wrapped up the scoring for the day, with Larkhall Athletic happy to record an 8-1 victory and put their name in the hat for the First Round Proper draw.

Match Report by Sue Hewett