The visitors kicked off the match, but the opening period proved fairly even, with both sides taking time to adjust to the blustery conditions. The game’s first break came for Newbury, with Ayala Truelove and Nicole Beesley producing the goods down the left flank. In the final third, they worked the ball inside to Maria Rodrigues, who’s short pass gave Kendall Gilmour a shooting opportunity. This was the first test for the Kingsclere keeper, but she reacted to save well. Newbury were now building up a head of steam, with Issy Cording impressing on the opposite flank and forcing the first Newbury corner. Kingsclere cleared, but the follow up shot from Sam Richards from distance stung the hands of goalkeeper, but she again pulled off a good save to keep the match goal-less.

At the other end, Newbury’s Kat Brown was soon called upon to also produce a diving save to deny Kingsclere any hint of a breakthrough. The game was being played at a really good tempo, with both teams looking to penetrate and attack at every opportunity. The next chance went the way of the visitors, a one-on-one situation, but again Brown was quickly out of her goal to force the shot to go wide, much to Newbury’s relief and Kingsclere’s frustration. Then on the half hour mark, Newbury did have the ball in the back of the net through Alex Kovacsova, but she was harshly judged to be off-side before collecting the through ball. So the goal was ruled out and with both sides cancelling each other out, it remained nil, nil at half time.

As the second half started, the weather conditions were worsening and so the possibility loomed that one slip or mistake might decide this. Newbury’s defence were holding firm however, with Megan Kirby supported well by Nicole Pearce, and on the other side, Saide Gulliver as reliable as ever and with Amy Lambden on her outside, making crunching tackle after crunching tackle. Kingsclere’s attack were having a tough afternoon. With ten points separating the two sides, the gap really didn’t look that large based on this performance. Newbury were certainly boosted by being able to add Truelove to their ranks, and she was helping to bring out the best in Beesley and Maria Rodrigues alongside her. Both were putting in outstanding displays and Newbury were definitely getting stronger as the match wore on.

There would be one final opportunity for the home side, when Beesley was upended right on the corner of the penalty box. The foul was given and it was Truelove who was given the responsibility for taking the set play. Her devilish effort just sailing narrowly over the Kingsclere bar. And so the visitors escaped, and when the Referee’s whistle signalled the end of the match, it left Newbury feeling the more upbeat and positive. Kingsclere’s management were clearly disappointed at only coming away with a point, but the point for the draw and the clean sheet told everything about Newbury Development’s grit and determination on the day.Newbury Ladies FC Development Squad vs Kingsclere Ladies:

Match report by Sue Hewett