| Newbury Ladies FC travelled to play Reading side, Barton Rovers, in their third pre-season friendly fixture. Barton started slightly better, creating the game’s first scoring opportunity when a delightful through ball split the Newbury defence. The home striker latched onto the pass and was through for a one-on-one chance. Thankfully for Newbury, goalkeeper Kat Brown was alert and read the danger superbly. She was out quickly to narrow the angle and make a fine save from close range. Barton then had two corners in quick succession, which Newbury were able to deal with.
Playing in an unfamiliar left wing position, Alex Kovacsova, was involved early on for Newbury, making great strides down that flank. Her good work presented a long range shooting chance for Ellie Reed, who’s dipping effort had the keeper beat, but was agonisingly just high of the cross bar. But then in the 19th minute, Barton took the advantage, when they opened the scoring from another corner. Barton were definitely on top in this opening period, but their was an injury stoppage just after the half hour mark. This gave Newbury a chance to re-group and they began to take back some control of the midfield, with Reed becoming more influential and both Jo Walsh-Perks and Tracey Beales growing into the game. So it was a disappointment for Newbury when they fell further behind just prior to half time. This time losing possession in the middle of the park and Barton were quick to capitalise, showing a clinical finish. Barton taking a two nil lead at the break.
Newbury had already shuffled their defence during the first half and they made two further changes in midfield at half time. They were back in the contest in the 56th minute, when Reed stepped up to take a 40 yard free kick wide on the right. She sent in a cross that was on target. It had everybody fooled, including the goalkeeper and sailed over her into the far top corner. It was a drifty shot that definitely had the WOW factor and it was just reward for all of Newbury’s efforts. 2-1 now the score-line with just over half hour to play.
Sadly for Reed, she was penalised cruelly sooner after when she was adjudged to have fouled a Barton player inside the area. The Referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, despite Reed’s protest that she was first to the ball. Although Newbury’s goalkeeper, Brown, guessed the right way, she was unable to reach a very well placed penalty and Barton restored their two goal advantage to make it 3-1. This took the sting out of the game for Newbury and they were unable to bounce back, despite plenty of work rate and endeavour. Reed again went closest with a back post header from a Molly Baker corner inside the last ten minutes, but the match ended in a 3-1 win for Barton Rovers.
Match report by Sue HewettNewbury Ladies Squad vs Barton Rovers Ladies:
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| Players: Kat Brown, Nicky Isted, Leanne Saunders, Lauren Hanson, Ayala Truelove, Shelley Forster, Ellie Reed (Capt), Molly Baker, Alex Kovacsova, Jo Walsh-Perks, Tracey Beales, Bec Walker, Jazz Bird, Sam McConnon, Gemma Burnett, Amy McNab. |
