Newbury Ladies Football
Match Report -- Season 2016-17
Southern Region Women's Football League Premier Division
Sunday 16th October 2016
Team Solent 2 Newbury 1
Newbury Ladies FC were back in league action and travelling to the South coast to face University side, Team Solent, in the Southern Region Women’s League Premier Division.

The home team, Team Solent, started well, earning the game’s first corner inside three minutes, but Newbury dealt with it comfortably. The visitors then gradually began to get on top in terms of possession and control, but they lacked a cutting edge in the final third. But Newbury kept attacking and kept creating chances, but were unable to convert. Then against the run of play in the 29th minute, Eleanor Hellyer latched onto a through ball for Team Solent and raced clear, sending a side footed shot past the Newbury keeper for one nil.

Newbury looked to hit back straight away, but Amie Barnard’s shot was well saved. Then Maria Rodrigues headed the following corner just wide. Further chances came and went for Newbury, but they remained one nil down at the half time break.

It was Team Solent who started the better after the break, forcing an early corner, which Lauren Hanson had to clear off the line for Newbury. Barnard then had another shooting opportunity for Newbury, but her effort cleared the bar. Then a Caroline Harkness shot sailed wide. The sucker punch for Newbury came after an hour, when a long range effort by Jaye Howlett extended Team Solent’s lead to 2 goals. Again Newbury sprung straight into action and it was Barnard who was again denied by a terrific save from the home goalkeeper.

Newbury continued to toil away, now with a bit more urgency. But it took until the 84th minute for the Team Solent defence to finally be breached. Ellie Reed playing a ball over the top of the defensive line for Barnard to race through and finish well. 2-1 now the score-line. Just three minutes later and another superb chance fell to Barnard, but she was again thwarted by the goalkeeper, who was coming out on top in the personal dual that had developed between these two good players for each side. That excellent save from Barnard was enough for the Team Solent keeper to earn her side the 3 points and the victory. There were Newbury complaints that not enough time added on had been allowed by the Referee, but in truth they had left it too late to spark into life. 2-1 to Team Solent was the final score.

Match report by Sue Hewett.

Players: Lou Williamson, Lauren Hanson, Kendall Gilmour, Leanne Saunders, Nicole Beesley, Caroline Harkness (Capt), Sam Atkins, Maria Rodrigues, Ellie Reed, Amie Barnard, Bex Walker, Alice Hill, Lorna Kinder-Parr, Megan Kirby, Nicky Isted.
Referee:
Goal scorers
Amie Barnard
Player of the match
Amie Barnard &
Caroline Harkness
Next fixture

Southern Region Premier

League season closed
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