Bracknell Town kicked off and had the better of the early chances, although they were unable to work Nicky Isted, who had returned in goal for Newbury after a short injury absence. Newbury forced one good opening just inside the 20 minute mark, when Amie Barnard cut in from the right and played a pass into Bex Walker in a central area, on the edge of the Bracknell box. Surrounded by Bracknell defenders, Walker laid the ball back into the path of Ellie Reed, whose shot from 25 yards went narrowly over the bar.

It was Bracknell who drew first blood however, when they took the lead on half an hour. A free kick from 25 yards out, was swung in and connected with the Newbury cross bar. A Bracknell attacker was first to react, stabbing home the rebound for one nil, although Isted protested about being impeded in the 6 yard box. The referee waving such protests away and the goal stood. It was Bracknell Town who grew in confidence for the remainder of the first half, bossing the midfield and looking anything but the team at the foot of the table. With nothing seeming to work for Newbury, they trailed one nil at the half time break.

Newbury made an inspired substitution not long after the re-start, with Nicole Beesley introduced and Bex Walker switching flanks. Beesley’s energy and work rate was evident immediately and she sparked her team mates into life. There was now more bite in the Newbury challenges in the middle of the park and more threat going forward. Patience and nerve was still required by Newbury, as it took until the 68th minute to find an equaliser. Amy McNab was released down the left hand channel, with a Bracknell defender in close attendance. With McNab seemingly heading into a cul-de-sac, she showed terrific body strength and determination to brush past the defender’s challenge and reach the by-line. Walker was in support for Newbury in the area, but McNab didn’t need her, firing in an unstoppable shot from an almost impossible tight angle. From nowhere, Newbury were now back on level terms at 1-1 and it was a fantastic solo goal for McNab.

Within a minute of the re-start, Newbury were awarded a free kick for hand ball 30 yards out. Reed stepped up confidently and using the swirling wind, saw her direct attempt sail into the top corner of the Bracknell net. The despairing keeper again had no chance. 2-1 now to Newbury. With Bracknell’s players totally stunned by two suck quick goals, Newbury were able to assert themselves even more and they were in complete control for the final 20 minutes of the match.

Newbury’s victory was finally sealed with 82 minutes played, in a move that was started by cultured defender, Lauren Hanson. Her angled pass found McNab in space, who turned and headed goal-ward. With the retreating Bracknell defence in trouble, she had both Beesley and Walker in support, electing to feed Beesley on the left. She was clean through for a one-on-one chance with the Bracknell goalkeeper. Beesley shot from just inside the area, but with the keeper getting her angles correct, she was able to make an outstanding save and parry the ball away to her right. Beesley was not to be denied however and she chased after the loose ball, slotting home coolly at the second attempt, despite the pressure of a returning defender.

At 3-1, Newbury had completed a fine second half turn-around and they were good value for the win in the end. The victory saw Newbury Ladies move onto 8 points for the season and now level on points with their next opponents, Team Solent.

Match report by Sue Hewett