The visitors kicked off on a muggy afternoon and the opening passage of play was fairly evenly matched, with neither side creating a clear cut opening. The defences were on top for both teams, with a good battle in the midfield area. Harkness impressing for Newbury in her usual captain’s role, together with an inspired performance from Maria Rodrigues, slotting into defence for the first time and looking well equipped to deal with everything thrown at her. It took until the 27th minute for the deadlock to be broken, when a lovely flowing Poole move saw a cross from the right converted for one nil. Newbury rallied, with a close long range effort from Shelley Forster, their best chance of the half. But unfortunately for Newbury they conceded again just prior to half time, with Poole scoring on 44 minutes to take a comfortable two nil lead at the break.

The second period saw much of the play in the Newbury half, as they were somewhat pegged back by the visitors’ superior fitness levels. Poole were able to extend their lead after 57 minutes, although Newbury held out again until the 72nd minute, when Poole eased into a four nil lead. A late re-shuffle for Newbury, saw good efforts on target that had to be saved from Tracey Beales and Bex Walker, but there was to be no consolation strike for Newbury. Instead the visitors ran out five nil winners, scoring their last of the afternoon in the 85th minute.

Match report by Sue Hewett