Newbury gave a debut to goalkeeper, El’mo Hamilton, and she acquitted herself well in what proved to be a very busy afternoon for her and the rest of the Newbury defence. Despite almost constant Basingstoke Town attacking pressure from the first whistle, it took the newly crowned champions of the Southern Region Women’s Premier Division until the 25th minute to open the scoring, when they took a one nil lead after a headed goal from a corner.

Then a disastrous 14 minute spell for Newbury, saw them fall behind by a further three goals. The second again coming from a corner that Newbury failed to clear and then Basingstoke scored two well worked and flowing break-away goals.

Newbury showed some fight and earned a free kick in the 54th minute, which Ellie Reed won and then stepped up to take from 25 yards. Whilst the Town keeper got fingers to the shot, she could only push the ball into the path of the on-rushing Maria Rodrigues, who coolly slotted home from close range for Newbury. 4-1 now the score-line.

Within a minute though, Basingstoke had forced another corner, which again resulted in a headed goal. Their fifth of the afternoon. The game was now becoming stretched, which could well have been due to the extreme heat, making conditions very difficult for both sets of players. Newbury scored their second goal four minutes later after good work down the right flank by Amie Barnard. She played the ball into Reed’s path, who beat a defender cleverly, before cutting in and firing a strong shot inside the near post.

At 5-2 it wasn’t enough of a comeback for Newbury, as they tired in the closing stages and Basingstoke were able to extend their lead in the final 15 minutes, scoring 3 further goals and the encounter finished with an 8-2 score-line in Basingstoke Town’s favour.

Match report by Sue Hewett