Although Chesham kicked off, they were immediately put under pressure in their own half and it was Amie Barnard who pounced to intercept a pass along the Chesham defensive line. She cut into the final third with speed, but the last defender was able to block Barnard’s cross and see it behind for a Newbury corner. Ellie Reed took the set play and hit a near post cross. With the Chesham keeper under pressure, she nervously fumbled the ball and it crept behind her and into the corner of the net for a terrible own goal. In contrast for Newbury however, it was a dream start and gave them a massive foothold in the game.

The next half hour of play, was all about Newbury defensive resolve and discipline. With Chesham spending the first half attacking down the slopped pitch, they were able to mount attack after attack. But with the confident presence of Kendall Gilmour in the Newbury goal and the doggedness of Sam Atkins just in front of her, Newbury were coping with everything that Chesham United tried to throw at them. That was until the 31st minute, when Chesham did manage to convert from a corner, after frantic Newbury efforts to clear their lines. Despite being pegged back to 1-1, Newbury again showed character and courage in abundance with forward Amy McNab doing extremely well to hold up and protect the ball, and then drawing a foul from the challenging Chesham defender. It gave Newbury a free kick 40 yards out, which Reed delivered beautifully into the area. It was now Chesham’s turn to scramble clear, but the loose ball was picked up by Newbury captain, Caz Harkness. Unfortunately her shot was just wide of the upright. The score-line remained one goal apiece at the half time break and this was proving to be an enthralling cup tie that was finely poised.

Unfortunately for Newbury, just prior to the Referee’s half time whistle, goalkeeper Kendall Gilmour incurred a calf strain when taking a goal kick. She could not continue and her afternoon would end prematurely. With no back-up goalkeeper within their ranks, Newbury were forced to ask for a volunteer at half time to put on the keeper’s jersey and gloves. Bravely, defender Lauren Hanson stepped forward, with Hannah Byrne brought on to replace her in Newbury’s defence. The second half began in the same vein as the first, with a spell of Newbury pressure, resulting in a shot from distance from Reed. The Chesham keeper was able to collect calmly. The home side then had a quick attack, which ended with a cross flashing across the Newbury 6 yard box, but no Chesham striker was able to connect. In the true spirit of an end to end cup-tie, Newbury were then troubling the Chesham defence, with McNab winning a corner. This gave another shooting chance to Reed, but her looped shot landed on the roof of the Chesham net and fell behind to safety.

Then just after the hour mark, Chehsam United took the lead. It was the first time that home striker, Gemma Fraser, had been able to escape the attentions of Newbury’s Sam Atkins and Fraser peeled away and into the penalty area unopposed. She got her angles spot on and fired an accurate shot across the keeper and into the far bottom corner for 2-1. But again Newbury rallied and after further good work by McNab, Newbury claimed another corner just three minutes after conceding themselves. Reed’s cross was met sweetly by the head of Caz Harkness, who’s near post run gave her the space to flick the ball into the far top corner. Newbury were back on level terms, 2-2 now the score-line with 25 minutes left to play.

Within two minutes, Chesham had another chance to score. This time the effort was spectacularly saved by deputising keeper, Hanson, who was able to deflect the almost point blank range shot up onto the bar. At this point in the match, Newbury’s supporters were daring to dream that this might just be their day to cause a cup upset, as Chesham’s frustrations could clearly be sensed. After some tireless running in midfield, Lorna Kinder-Parr was replaced by Ruby Oliver on 71 minutes. Just two minutes later and Chesham were again ahead. This time Hanson could not prevent a shot from the left creeping in. With 15 minutes left on the clock, Newbury were still pushing and looking to equalise for the second time in the tie. Ruby Oliver getting on the end of a terrific Newbury passing move. After playing in Barnard on the right, Oliver continued her run into the area and somehow adjusted her body position as the cross came in, to fire off a first time volley. This time the heroics came from the Chesham goalkeeper, as she was just able to make the save and push the ball up onto the bar. Had that effort gone in, it could really have knocked the wind from Chesham’s sails. As it was, their slender 3-2 lead remained intact.

Just one minute later, Chesham extended their lead and all but sealed their place in the Final. With the Newbury defence stretched, a cross to the far post saw an unmarked Chesham player able to score their fourth goal. That was to prove enough for Chesham United, earning a 4-2 victory and they will now challenge MK Dons for the County Cup, who had eased passed Maidenhead United in the day’s other Semi Final. But there was certainly no disgrace for Newbury Ladies. They really gave Chesham United a tough game and the home side’s relief at the final whistle was palpable. Newbury’s players had done all they could to give their opponents a very uncomfortable afternoon and whilst they were disappointed to bow out at the Semi Final stage, they can be rightly proud of their performance and spirit.

Match report by Sue Hewett