Newbury kicked off the match and they came flying out of the traps. The first 15 minutes were spent totally in the Wantage half, with Newbury having all the attacking pressure, winning numerous corners and looking totally dominant. Nicole Beesley and Imogen Gibbons were carrying a real threat, and they were well supported by attacking midfielders, Molly Baker and Maria Rodrigues. The only thing missing from Newbury’s play in this opening period was a goal. So when Wantage had their first break-away and first foray into the Newbury half, having beaten the off-side trap, two attackers bore down on Newbury’s goal, leaving the defenders trailing in their wake. A cool finish into the far bottom corner gave Wantage a one nil lead. This opening goal coming totally against the run of play.

Newbury rallied however, with further shots at goal for Rodrigues and Beesley. But it was no longer all one-way traffic for Newbury, as the first 15 minutes had been. Wantage began to grow into the game and they had further chances too. Newbury goalkeeper, Carly Passfield, was called upon to make one diving save around the post for a Wantage corner. Passfield was needed again just moments later when a shot came in from the left. She was able to parry, but the ball fell kindly for an incoming attacker and this second shot was drilled into the corner. So Newbury now found themselves two nil down after 25 minutes and it was a very harsh score-line for the visitors, as their good play had warranted more.

Just on the half hour mark, substitute Kat Brown was introduced for Newbury, replacing Jazz Bird. This gave Newbury further impetuous in attack, as they were eager to get back into the game before half time. Brown was involved straight away and helped to win another Newbury corner. Again, the Wantage defence were able to clear. As the ball was worked to the half way line, Newbury’s Sam McConnon went into a crunching tackle to stem the Wantage attack. Both players required treatment, with McConnon needing to be withdrawn for assessment. Nicky Isted came on and this prompted a slight re-shuffle in the Newbury back line, with Saide Gulliver filling in at centre half and Isted moving into the full back position. With the Newbury bench wondering how much time the Referee would add on at the end of the first half, the clock was ticking down to the interval. Newbury again had a corner, which this time was only deflected back out for another corner. Captain, Kendall Gilmour took the kick and the ball was cleared almost immediately back out to her again as she had advanced a little closer along the touchline. Her second cross in was blocked by a Wantage defender, but she was judged to have used her arm and the Referee blew for a Newbury free kick, just on the edge of the penalty area. Gilmour lined up the set play, took it direct and rifled the ball into the roof of the net. It was an unstoppable shot and it gave Newbury the goal they so richly deserved just prior to half time. 2-1 now the score-line. When the Referee did bring the first half to a close minutes later, Newbury were still trailing by the one goal, but they were well and truly back in the contest.

The second half began with Wantage Town slightly in the ascendancy. As the home side, they were taking the game to Newbury, forcing an early corner. Nothing came of it, but they continued to probe and Newbury’s defence were again beaten by a forward ball that took an awkward bounce. This enabled the Wantage striker to skip past and find herself free for a one-on-one chance with the Newbury keeper. Passfield came off best initially, when she blocked the first shot, but she was beaten at the second attempt and Wantage were able to extend their lead to three goals to one. Again, Newbury refused to crumble and with just over half an hour to play, there was belief that they could get back on terms.

The ever influential Gilmour, was now advancing more and more and Newbury were continuing to cause Wantage problems. When Newbury were able to work the ball down the right flank, Beesley found a moment of real quality, as she cut in on her left foot to deliver a sumptuous cross into the area. At the far post was an un-marked Gilmour and she was able stoop to head a very low, glancing header goal-ward. The ball sneaking just inside the far post and it was Gilmour’s and Newbury’s second goal of the game. At 3-2, Wantage’s players were now rocking and there was still 26 minutes to play.

Beesley was by now running riot on the flank and she again fed a delightful through ball to Brown, who had evaded her marker with her run into the box. She was just able to latch onto the pass before it reached the keeper, but her flicked shot was desperately deflected wide by the Wantage keeper. Everything that Newbury were throwing at Wantage’s back line they were repelling, but the pressure was building and building. However, the minutes were ticking by and the 90 minutes were fast approaching. The match was agonisingly in the balance. Would Wantage hang on to take all three points, or could Newbury score a late equaliser to share the spoils?

Further efforts on target came from Baker and Gilmour, which the goalkeeper did well to save, and then Newbury’s best chance of this period came when they had a corner deep into stoppage time. Baker swung in a great delivery, which was half cleared to edge of the box. Lauren Sheldon had advanced and she sent back in a first time shot that screamed through a crowded penalty area. Sadly for Newbury the ball sailed just wide of the upright and so all of Wantage’s players were able to breath a huge sigh of relief. As that chance faded away, so did Newbury’s hopes of scoring a third goal. Not long after, the Referee’s whistle signalled full time and it was Wantage Town who ran out the victors in a thrilling match. 3-2 the final result.

Match Report by Sue Hewett.