The visiting team kicked off the proceedings, but it was Newbury who took possession and began to mount a series of attacks, with both Maria Rodrigues and Bec Walker going close in the early stages. But then against the run of play, it was Taplow United who took the lead, after a strong move down the Newbury right, ended with a low shot into the far corner for one nil.

The next ten minutes fell into a familiar pattern, with Newbury looking the more dominant of the two sides, but they were yet again caught out when Taplow sprang another devasting break-away. This followed the loss of possession in central midfield and within three seconds, the Taplow striker had the ball in the back of the net to give her side a two nil lead after 25 minutes. Newbury’s players were stunned, but they were sparked into life again with the introduction of Rebecca Chitloie from the subs bench. She injected some pace, energy and guile into Newbury’s forward play and they again found themselves playing mainly in the Taplow half.

When Nicole Beesley won a corner for Newbury on 35 minutes, she took it quickly and short, passing to Walker, who was in plenty of space on the left of the box. She sent in a looping shot, which the Taplow keeper just couldn’t keep out and the ball dropped under the bar to give the home side a life-line. It was now 2-1 and Taplow managed to hang onto that score-line until the half time break soon after.

At the start of the second period, Newbury knew the next goal would be crucial and so they went in search of an equaliser. Chitolie had a shot after just two minutes, that the Taplow keeper got down well to save. Chitolie was again in the box, but the next Newbury cross was just slightly overhit and despite Chitolie racing to collect the loose ball, her cut-back ended with a high shot from Amy Lambden. As the 75-minute mark approached, and with Newbury beginning to rotate their squad in an attempt to find a breakthrough, it was unfortunately the visitors who again would get on the score sheet. This time a good through ball breached the Newbury defence and the Taplow player found a shot that clipped the base of the far post and went in. 3-1 now to Taplow United.

With time running out, and with two goals required to get back on level terms, it wasn’t to be Newbury’s day. Taplow were good value for their victory and they saw the match out well to claim the three points. The game ending in a disappointing 1-3 defeat for Newbury Development.

Player of the Match for Newbury Ladies Development Team was the influential and experienced, Saide Gulliver, who was as reliable as ever.

Match report by Sue Hewett