With just a bare eleven players, Newbury could have come unstuck after 19 minutes, when debutant, Claire Turley, was forced off early after incurring an injury. This saw Newbury down to just ten players, with Lauren Sheldon drafted back into defence. Fortunately, within a minute, Newbury were able to double their lead after Maria Rodrigues found a classy finish, after more good work from team mate, Bird.

Despite being a player short, Newbury were enjoying plenty of possession and Alex Kovacsova had one great chance to put the game to bed just before half time, when she was expertly found by a Bec Walker cross. Kovacsova was unlucky not to be able to get the ball out of her feet in time and the opportunity passed her by. So it remained two nil to Newbury at the break.

The second half began with Stanford’s players rejuvenated, as they looked for a way back into the cup tie. Newbury had some defending to do, but they held firm, with centre half pairing, Saide Gulliver and Nicole Pearce, giving great protection to their goalkeeper, Hazel Beesley. Having weathered this Stanford storm, Newbury then started to threaten the home goal. Kovacsova was first to do so, with a lob that had the keeper beaten, but not the cross bar. Stanford’s goalkeeper then made a very good save from the feet of Gilmour, after she was through for a one-on-one chance. Gilmour made no mistake straight after however, when she linked up with Walker, to score a neat side foot finish to give Newbury a three nil lead in the 58th minute.

That would surely be enough to see Newbury’s safe passage into the next round and it certainly was when Rodrigues scored her second of the game and Newbury’s fourth goal in the 85th minute, when she was again well found by Bird. That wrapped up the contest and saw Newbury Development claim a decisive four nil victory, which sees them through to Round Two of the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup.

Match report by Sue Hewett