The visitors from Buckinghamshire had the kick off and the first attempt at goal almost immediately. They followed up with an early corner, but Newbury were able to clear. It took another six minutes before Newbury began to settle and then they were able to work a good move down the right flank, playing out from defence with Lisa Elboth and involving Caz Harkness, Amie Barnard and Lauren Hanson. The latter having a penetrating run and cross, which the MK City keeper claimed well, keeping the ball away from Bex Walker, who was arriving at the far post.

The first half was a fairly even affair, which was to be expected, with both teams occupying 7th and 8th positions in the Southern Region Premier Division table and MK City only 2 points ahead of Newbury before the match. MK City had a bit of pressure around the half mark and caused a degree of panic in the Newbury penalty area. But with the home keeper seemingly beaten, Elboth got back well to clear from the goal-line and preserve the goal-less score. From the clearance, Newbury were able to gain ground up field after good work from Ruby Oliver, linking with Hanson and winning a Newbury corner. Ellie Reed took the set piece and her cross was met just six yards out by the head of Oliver and she converted to open the scoring for Newbury.

Although MK City pressed again from the re-start, Newbury were able to protect their slender one goal lead until the half time break.

At the start of the second half, Hanson earned a free kick after being fouled by an MK City defender. Reed’s first time shot narrowly evaded the far post. That signalled a period of sustained Newbury attacking pressure, with all of the play in the MK City half. When Harkness was fouled 25 yards out, Reed again stepped up to take the free kick. This time her effort cannoning back off the defensive wall. Several more chances came Newbury’s way, with shots blocked from Barnard and Harkness. With Newbury unable to clinch a second goal, they were then caught on a quick breakaway in the 70th minute, when an MK City player stole in from the right and reaching, was able to poke the ball inside the post. This leveller stung Newbury and they again went on the attack and in search of a second goal. Oliver sent in a deep free kick that MK cleared. In a more advanced role in the closing stages, Sam Atkins had a shot from distance, but she was unable to test the goalkeeper.

As the final whistle blew, Milton Keynes City hung on for the draw, which suited them better than Newbury. So Newbury will remain one place off the foot of the table and one place and two points still below MK City in 8th.

Match report by Sue Hewett.