Most of the attacking play in the opening stages came from Newbury Ladies. Kingsclere though were well organised and although Newbury had chances, the Kingsclere defence coped well. It was pleasing to see Newbury take control of the midfield as the half wore on, with good work from both Sam Atkins and Lauren Hanson. Both Maria Rodrigues and Amie Barnard went close for Newbury, but it was proving to be a tightly fought contest, until the 43rd minute when the game exploded.

Kendall Gilmour stepped forward onto a loose ball on the half way line and she leathered a first time shot that headed goal-ward. The Kingsclere keeper was caught out and was unable to get back to her goal line. The ball glided and dipped beautifully, sailing into the net just under the cross bar. What a strike! A goal from the half way line to open the scoring! It was awesome and certainly won’t be bettered this season! One nil to Newbury at the half time break.

After the re-start Newbury extended their lead on 52 minutes, when substitute Ellie Reed announced her arrival in style. She was played in on the edge of the area and whilst her first attempt was blocked, she shaped to shoot for a second time and she sent in a low drive into the far corner of the Kingsclere net from 20 yards. Two nil now to Newbury.

Newbury were now dominant in their attacking play, with chance after chance being created. On 52 minutes Newbury’s captain, Caroline Harkness broke free down the right. She sent in a cross that was well met by Bex Walker. Her first time shot from inside the area produced a good save from the Kingsclere goalkeeper, but it was only parried into the path of Reed, who lashed home a shot from a tight angle to give Newbury a 3 nil lead.

Just before 75 minutes Newbury had a gilt-edged chance to extend their lead even further when Alice Hill beat the off-side trap, only to send her effort high over the cross bar. Within a minute Kingsclere had pressed forward and they caused panic in the Newbury defence, which led to a corner. The resultant cross was headed goal-ward. With the keeper beat, the ball clipped the crossbar, not once, but twice. A Newbury defender tried to clear with her head from the goal-line, but the ball cannoned back off the head of a Kingsclere player and hit the back of the Newbury net. 3-1 now the score-line.

After the set back of the previous week’s defeat to Basingstoke, Newbury responded well and went onto record a comprehensive 3-1 victory.

Match report by Sue Hewett