Stung into action, Winchester City pressed forward and they had one dangerous attack, which called upon Newbury goalkeeper, Kat Brown, to parry. With the loose ball falling inside the Newbury area to an un-marked player, Leanne Saunders reacted well to block the second Winchester shot and then clear upfield. Newbury’s Amy McNab collected the clearance, protected the ball and then played back to Jo Walsh-Perks, who remained composed to win a throw-in for Newbury and relieve the pressure.

There was more drama soon after, when the Referee saw a foul inside the Newbury area, after Winchester’s number 9 had made a very strong run from just inside her own half. The Referee had probably made the right call, but it looked a little harsh on the home side. With just ten minutes played, Newbury received a let-off, as the Winchester City player fired her penalty wide of the left post. This was a big miss, but it meant Newbury’s one goal advantage was still intact.

The game’s next period saw Winchester probe and probe, but the Newbury defence held firm. They had to deal with a succession of Winchester corners, with Brown commanding her area for Newbury. One Newbury clearance was again met by McNab, who did well to win her side a throw close to the half way line. She then flicked on her header from that throw, which had the Winchester defence in trouble. The centre half attempted to play a pass back to her goalkeeper, but with nowhere near enough weight on the ball, it was latched onto eagerly by Harkness. She advanced into the box, with no Winchester defender in sight and then very coolly placed her shot across the keeper and into the far corner. It was a classy finish and it gave Newbury a deserved two nil lead after 28 minutes.

Newbury were now brimming with confidence and soon after, it was Shelley Forster, who was played in for a shot at goal, after Reed had pounced on another Winchester defensive mistake. But this time Forster could only find the side netting. Newbury finished the first half strongly and they looked comfortable at two nil at half time.

One substitution was made at the break and the change was up front for Newbury, with Gemma Burnett introduced for McNab. Newbury were expecting a Winchester onslaught after the re-start and that’s exactly what they got. With just 9 minutes played in the second period, the Referee again awarded Winchester City a penalty. This time, the Newbury players, officials and supporters were all incensed. Defender Lauren Hanson had made a very well time tackle inside the area, winning the ball – but the Referee saw it differently and the spot kick was given. Winchester had a change of penalty taker and this time there was no mistake, with a good finish low to the bottom left corner. With 54 minutes of the match played, the score-line was now 2-1, but still in Newbury’s favour. But they were very aware their lead had been halved and there was still over half an hour to play.

Newbury’s players really dug in and battled hard. Ayala Truelove came on in midfield for her first appearance of the season and then Jazz Bird was thrown on up front with 18 minutes left to play. Newbury’s captain and opening goal scorer, Ellie Reed, was moved back into defence and she performed heroically for her team. Everything about Newbury’s performance was pleasing. Their game management was very savvy, and this only added to the visitors’ frustrations. There would be no way back into the match for Winchester City and when the final whistle blew, Newbury had secured their first points and first league win of the season. This victory moves Newbury Ladies up one place and off the bottom of the Southern Region Women’s Premier Division table.

Match report by Sue Hewett