Newbury attacked straight from the first whistle and went in front after just three minutes, when Imogen Gibbons went on a marauding run down the flank and crossed for Nicole Beesley to power in a header from close range for one nil.

Beesley then scored hers and her team’s second on ten minutes, after a through pass from Player of the Match, Tracey Beales. Beesley latched onto the pass and fired a low left foot shot into the far corner of the net for two nil.

Thatcham Town then gathered themselves and were able to stem the flow of Newbury attacks for a period, until the home side went further ahead just inside the half hour mark. This time it was Beesley who turned provider for strike partner, Beales to score her first of the afternoon, with a deliciously curving shot that beat the goalkeeper all ends up. Thatcham were relieved to hear the Referee’s half time whistle, with the score at 3-0 in Newbury’s favour.

There was to be no Thatcham comeback however, as Newbury immediately attacked again after the re-start, scoring a fourth goal on 50 minutes following another Beesley/Beales combination, culminating in a terrific full length diving header from Beales. This effectively killed the contest and allowed Newbury to rotate their squad for much of the second period. There was then a flurry of activity inside the game’s last ten minutes, when Kendall Gilmour got on the score sheet. She picked up a loose ball in midfield and sent in an unstoppable shot from 35 yards that flew into the net for five nil.

Beales then chalked up another goal assist, when her cushioned header back to Gilmour, allowed another strike, this time from the edge of the penalty area, but with equal ferocity. It was a sublime half volley from Gilmour and was a more than fitting climax to a terrific afternoon for the home side. With the scoring all wrapped up, Newbury Ladies had earned a convincing six nil victory.

Match report by Sue Hewett