Newbury Ladies Football
Match Report -- Season 2016-17
Berks & Bucks FA Women’s Senior Cup – Quarter Final
Sunday 20th November 2016
Milton Keynes City 2 Newbury 3
Newbury Ladies FC travelled away to take on Milton Keynes City in the Quarter Final of the Berks & Bucks FA Women’s Senior Cup. Having been comprehensively beaten by the same opponents in the league just 4 weeks earlier, Newbury were in search of some revenge, but not everything went their way.

The opening exchanges were fairly even, but Newbury fell behind on 20 minutes when Mia Scaarup cut in from the left wing for MK City and she unleashed a shot that snuck inside the near post. As the last quarter before half time approached, it looked as though Newbury would head into the break with just a one goal deficit. That was not to be the case however, as the cup tie sparked into life on 34 minutes. The same MK City player again dribbled into the area from wide left, evading two Newbury challenges and smashing the ball home from 8 yards in a terrific solo run. Stung by falling two goals behind, Newbury attacked straight from the kick off and when Ellie Reed played a lovely diagonal ball, she found Amie Barnard racing into the box. Her deft touch nestled inside the far post and Newbury were back in it. 2-1 now the score-line.

With the home side now rattled, Newbury pressed and pressed. They were rewarded in the 42nd minute, when Nicole Beesley earned a throw-in for Newbury in the final third. She took a quick throw herself, linking with Reed, who was in behind the MK City back line. Allowing the ball to drop over her shoulder, Reed played a hooked cross into the penalty area. The cross was met by Bex Walker, who chested down and then in her next movement, volleyed the ball into the top right hand corner for the equalising goal. The cup tie was finely poised, two goals apiece at the half time break.

Newbury Ladies made a tactical re-shuffle in personnel after the re-start, with Sam Atkins moving into defence and Kendall Gilmour playing much further forward. The presence of Gilmour definitely gave the MK City defenders something different to think about. The second half unfolded into a captivating match, which was very finally balanced. Both defences were holding firm, with Newbury having to replace Lauren Hanson for Megan Kirby in their back line on 62 minutes. Gilmour and Barnard both had shooting opportunities for Newbury, but to no avail. When MK City next broke, their striker could only shoot high over the bar. Maria Rodrigues was introduced in attack for Newbury with 16 minutes of normal time remaining. She was involved straight away, helping to shift the momentum Newbury’s way. A diagonal ball from the right in the 83rd minute, found Walker, with Rodrigues in support. And with the home defence tied up in knots, Walker was able to lay the ball back into the path of the on-rushing and un-marked Reed. She unleashed a first time shot from the edge of the area, that tore into the MK City net, leaving the keeper with no chance. Newbury were ahead and it was a glorious winner. Newbury defended resolutely for the remaining minutes, looking assured until the final whistle blew. They had come back from two goals down, showing plenty of character and recording a deserved 3-2 victory.

With only one point earned so far in their league campaign, it would seem that Newbury Ladies play with far more freedom and confidence in this season’s cup competitions.

Match report by Sue Hewett

Players: Nicky Isted, Lauren Hanson (replaced by Megan Kirby, 62 mins), Lorna Kinder-Parr, Kendall Gilmour, Leanne Saunders, Caroline Harkness (Capt), Ellie Reed, Sam Atkins, Bex Walker, Amie Barnard, Nicole Beesley (replaced by Maria Rodrigues, 74 mins), Alice Hill (un-used sub), Chloe Hunt (un-used sub).
Referee: Krzysztof Ziejewski
Goal scorers

Amie Barnard
Bex Walker
Ellie Reed

Player of the match
Ellie Reed
Next fixture

Southern Region Premier

League season closed
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