Newbury kicked off and went straight onto the attack, forcing an early corner. This resulted in a Kendall Gilmour shot from just outside the area, but the effort was too high to trouble the visiting keeper. All of the early pressure came from Newbury, with both Gemma Burnett and Jazz Bird looking lively. When Holyport did gain some possession, any threat was quickly snuffed out by the impressive Sam Atkins and the rest of the Newbury back-line, which looked comfortable and in control.

With Holyport’s defence playing a risky high line, Newbury very nearly exposed that with a route one approach. A Newbury goal kick was sent down field and striker, Burnett, gambled well to see herself latch onto the ball and race clear of any Holyport challenge. She was one-on-one with the keeper, but could only slide the ball narrowly wide of the far post. And so Holyport escaped and the game remained goal-less.

As the half way point of the first half approach, Newbury again carved out two really good openings. First, when Gilmour did well to win possession in the middle of the park and she fed Burnett to once again beat the off-side trap. But in a repeat of her previous attempt, her shot was just wide. Then in a similar pattern of play, Maria Rodrigues linked up well with Burnett, before bursting through from midfield, but she didn’t quite get enough power into her shot and the Holyport goalkeeper was able to save.

After a brief drinks break, as the conditions were extremely hot, Newbury seemed to lose their rhythm for a spell and they allowed Holyport to have more of the possession and come more into the game. Newbury made their first substitution after 35 minutes, with Alex Kovacsova introduced in place of Jazz Bird. This change gave Newbury some much needed added impetus and on her first foray down the right, Kovacsova beat the defender and crossed well towards Burnett who was in the penalty area. Holyport defended well and were able to clear. Just minutes later and Gilmour again picked up a loose ball in the centre and she played a good pass to Jo Walsh-Perks on the left of midfield. She made a strong run into Holyport’s final third and attacked the by-line. After beating the defender, she crossed well across the face of goal and there was Kovacsova at the back post to guide the ball home for one nil, with the keeper helpless. What an impact Kovacsova had made, but she owed much of her fortune in front of goal in the large part to Walsh-Perk, because she had showed some fine wing play in the build-up. It was a terrific team move and finding themselves one nil up, was definitely more than deserved for Newbury.

Holyport reacted well and they went in search of an equaliser as half time approached. Newbury’s Kat Brown was called into action, when she needed to be alert to make a diving save to deny the visitors the chance to level. Having not had too much to do up to that point, the Newbury goalkeeper should terrific concentration levels and ensure her clean sheet was protected at the half time break. Newbury taking a one nil lead at the interval.

Newbury made two substitutions for the re-start, with Nicky Isted replacing Saide Gulliver as a straight swap in defence, and Jazz Bird returning in place of the injured Gilmour. Some early Holyport pressure was contained by Newbury’s players, who looked composed and solid in both defence and midfield. Then another fine team move, saw Burnett in space just on the edge of the area. She had the awareness to pick out the advancing Walsh-Perks, who had run from deep and had lost her marker. Sadly her first time shot from the ‘D’ sailed the wrong side of the left post. But there was plenty in attack, for Newbury to be very encouraged about.

Just after the hour mark, Newbury made their final change, with Hanson pushed further forward into midfield, Megan Kirby coming on in defence and Rodrigues withdrawn. As Holyport started to tire, both Bird and Kovacsova were continuing to cause plenty of problems down the flanks for Newbury. Even midfield anchor, Sam Atkins, looked to get in on the act, with one looping long shot looking for a moment like it would drop just under the crossbar. It didn’t however and so, Newbury were unable to extend their one goal advantage. To Holyport’s credit, they didn’t give up and they continued to defend well. As the Referee sounded the final whistle, it was Newbury Ladies FC who were able to celebrate a good one nil victory. It had been a very pleasing and good first outing of the new season.

The Player of the Match for Newbury Ladies FC was Sam Atkins, who was solid defensively and creative going forwards.

Matchreport by Sue Hewett