After having been eliminated by Chesham United at the semi-final stage last season of the Chairman’s Cup, Newbury were braced for a tough examination and so it proved. As well as winning the Chairman’s Cup, Chesham’s first team were also promoted from Division One of the Southern Region Women’s League last campaign and it certainly looks as if the Buckinghamshire club are going in search of back-to-back promotions this season.

The home side took the lead as early as the 11th minute following a corner on the left. Whilst the initial cross was cleared by Newbury, the ball fell to a Chesham midfielder, who swung in another deep cross that was slotted just inside the post for one nil. Not long after, Lauren Hanson played a good ball out of defence for Newbury, to feed Amie Barnard on the right. Her inside pass for Ellie Reed, saw her attempt on goal charged down by the Chesham centre half just inside the area.

Most of the attacking play as the first half wore on, belonged to Chesham United, who created chance after chance. They were unable to extend their lead due to some poor finishing and also some brilliant goalkeeping for Newbury by Laura Ainscough. Newbury hung on until the 29th minute, when Chesham scored their second of the afternoon through a quick break-away. Chesham were then 3 goals ahead just 3 minutes later.

A disastrous spell followed for Newbury just prior to half time, as they conceded a further 3 goals in just 8 minutes, to see them go in at the break trailing 6 goals to nil and the contest was well and truly over.

Within 3 minutes of the re-start, Chesham United had scored their seventh goal of the day. The goal of the match was a 25 yard shot into the top corner on 53 minutes and the home side’s attack was now rampant. Newbury steadied for the next quarter of an hour period, but their defence was breached again on 66 minutes and the score-line was now 9 nil to Chesham United.

Again, Newbury had a short spell when they regained some composure, but Chesham’s strikers were not yet finished for the day, with two further goals being converted in the 89th and 93rd minutes, to give Chesham a comprehensive 11 nil victory.

Match report by Sue Hewett