Newbury Ladies Football
Match Report -- Season 2016-17
Southern Region Women's Football League Premier Division
Sunday 2nd October 2016
Winchester City Flyers 3 Newbury Ladies 3
Newbury Ladies FC back were back in league action, when they played away versus Winchester City Flyers in the Southern Region Women’s League Premier Division.

Newbury started the brighter of the two sides, with some good early pressure. However, it was Winchester who opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, albeit against the run of play. A good through ball split Newbury’s defence and left Winchester’s striker with a one-on-one chance that she clinically converted. Whilst Newbury pressed well again, Lauren Hanson was still required to help her goalkeeper out and clear off the line just 4 minutes later, to prevent Winchester from extending their lead. From there, Newbury went in search of an equaliser and it was found just before half time in the 43rd minute. Ellie Reed won the ball well for Newbury, deep in Winchester territory. She then found a well-placed cross that evaded the home keeper and left Maria Rodrigues with a simple tap-in from 5 yards for 1-1. Newbury had a final chance on the stroke of half time from a Reed free kick, after Amie Barnard was fouled on the edge of the box. But the scores remained tied at the break, one goal apiece.

After the re-start, it was again the visiting Berkshire side that started the brighter, with real intent to get after the Winchester back-line, forcing a number of errors and erratic clearances. The best opening soon fell to Reed, after very good hold up play by Bex Walker for Newbury. She coolly laid off a pass to Reed, who advanced into the Winchester area with only the goalkeeper to beat. She was unable to convert however, just clipping her shot narrowly wide of the post. Then in the 20th minute, Walker and Rodrigues combined well to cross for Barnard, but she sent her effort over the bar.

Just two minutes later and all of Newbury’s good play was rewarded, as they took the lead for the first time in the match. It was an excellent team move that was started when Hannah Byrne played out from the back for Newbury to the left flank. Her pass was well controlled by Walker and she linked up superbly with Reed to work their way into the Winchester penalty area. Walker then passed into the path of Beesley and her first time right footed shot slipped inside the far post.

Winchester weren’t really threatening and Newbury were in control. It took until the 86th minute for Newbury to extend their lead further, with Beesley again involved. This time she passed to Newbury’s captain, Caroline Harkness, who had advanced upfield. Harkness then sprayed the ball to the right, where Barnard was in plenty of space. She cut into the area and shot across the keeper to give Newbury a 3-1 lead. Then the drama was really to begin. Winchester had claims for a penalty denied, when their striker was through on goal and she appeared to beat the Newbury keeper to the ball, before falling inside the area. The Referee was convinced there was no penalty and instead booked the Winchester play for simulation.

As the match clock approached the 90th minute, Newbury were defending like Trojans, when the Referee harshly blew for a handball inside the Newbury penalty area. It was a way back into the game for Winchester, which they thankfully accepted and the penalty kick was duly dispatched with ease. 2-3 now the score-line, with little more than time added on to be played. With Newbury now hanging on, Winchester forced two corners and they scored an equaliser from the second one in the 93rd minute. It was such a cruel twist of fate for Newbury, who had played well enough to record a victory. They were denied this however, by a spirited Winchester comeback and both sides shared a point each. This was enough for Winchester City Flyers to keep their place in third position in the Premier Division league table and the point was good enough to move Newbury off the foot of the table and up into 7th place, with Milton Keynes City and Bracknell Town both below them.

Match report by Sue Hewett

Players: Lou Williamson, Lauren Hanson, Kendall Gilmour, Hannah Byrne, Nicole Beesley,Caroline Harkness (Capt), Sam Atkins, Maria Rodrigues, Ellie Reed, Amie Barnard, Bex Walker, Alice Hill, Leanne Saunders.
Referee: Mike Snelgrove
Goal scorers

Maria Rodrigues
Nicole Beesley
Amie Barnard

Player of the match
Nicole Beesley
Next fixture

Southern Region Premier

League season closed
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