| The First Team of Newbury Ladies FC were back in league action, when they hosted Oxford City Ladies. Newbury’s high flying visitors kicked off the match and attacked from the off, with the Newbury defence immediately under pressure. Oxford City winning the game’s first corner after just three minutes, but it resulted in a shot over the bar. Another Oxford chance soon after, was well saved by Kat Brown in goal and then Newbury were able to break out into their opponents half, after good work by Ellie Reed and Ayala Truelove. With Newbury now enjoying some possession of their own, they were beginning to test the Oxford back-line. Truelove was strong in a tackle just over half way, robbing the Oxford defensive midfielder and leaving her in a heap on the floor. The Referee judged that she’d won the ball cleaning and waved for play to continue. Newbury captain Ellie Reed played a ball wide to Amy McNab and still with plenty to do, she cut into the area, drove past the defender and fired in from an acute angle. Oxford were shell-shocked, but Newbury’s players were celebrating taking a one nil lead after ten minutes.
Oxford were back on level terms just seven minutes later, when a shot from the edge of the area and through a crowded box, was well placed inside the far post, with Brown unsighted in the Newbury goal. The momentum was now in Oxford’s favour and they took the lead controversially in the 21st minute. Reed was flagged for being off side, but the decision was highly questionable. Oxford’s midfielder took the resulting free kick very quickly however and they went straight down the other end to score their second goal of the afternoon. It was a cruel blow for Newbury, as they had been playing well. Newbury’s players rallied however, continued with their game plan and attempted to stay in the game, with just the one goal in it. The 34th minute saw Oxford extend their lead and then Brown suffered an injury in the Newbury goal, as she landed awkwardly following one save. After treatment, she was able to continue, but with Newbury defending a corner, she had no time to recover or ease back into the proceedings. The cross came in and a close range Oxford header hit the back of the net to give the visitors a 4-1 lead at the break.
That score-line was harsh on Newbury and wasn’t reflective of their efforts or performance level in the first half, but they knew they now had a mountain to climb to find any way back into the match. With no changes at the break, Newbury again started well, looking compact and organised. But 14 minutes into the second period and Oxford had scored again. It was another strong header converted from a corner. That really knocked the stuffing out of the home side and they conceded again just two minutes later. Oxford now had an unassailable 6-1 lead. Newbury’s miserable afternoon was further compounded within four minutes, following a goal-line clearance from another Oxford City corner. The Referee however, had seen a handball and he was straight over to speak to Newbury defender, Lauren Hanson. He had no hesitation in showing her a red card for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity and Hanson had to leave the field of play. A penalty was also awarded to Oxford City and they were able to add a seventh goal from the spot.
Before the game ended, and with Newbury down to ten players, Oxford scored again to make it 8-1. Newbury’s misery didn’t end there however, as their goalkeeper, Brown, had to be substituted with 15 minutes remaining. They will hope she recovers in time to take her place between the posts for this week’s important fixture at home to bottom of the table Warsash Wasps. Especially with Hanson now facing a one game suspension.
Match Report by Sue Hewett
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| Players: Kat Brown, Lorna Kinder-Parr, Leanne Saunders, Sam Atkins, Shelley Forster, Lauren Hanson, Megan Kirby, Nicole Pearce, Ellie Reed (Capt), Amy McNab, Ayala Truelove, Kelly Killick, Alex Kovacsova, Lauren Sheldon, Kendall Gilmour. |
