| Newbury Ladies First Team took on the same opposition two weeks in a row, in the shape of Ascot United Ladies, but this time in the Southern Region Women’s League Cup.
In a very strange opening to the game, Ascot took the lead after just two minutes. But then Newbury hit back instantly to make it 1-1, all inside the first five minutes. Newbury’s goal scorer was Rachel Allwright, who stroked the ball home after a marauding run into the box from Jo Walsh-Perks.
But the topsy-turvy nature of the game continued, when Ascot scored again to make it 2-1 after 11 minutes, before Walsh-Perks again turned provider, this time for Newbury’s Charlotte Hull to storm forward from midfield, to finish well and make it 2-2. Again, the visitors had not been able to hang onto their lead for more than three minutes.
The match then stabilised and it was proving to be a more even contest than the league match between these two sides the previous weekend, when Newbury had run out convincing winners. The half time score-line remained at two goals apiece.
The second period was a very tight affair, between two good footballing teams. Newbury took the lead for the first time in the game, when they scored from a Gabriely Da Silva corner in the 58th minute. Ellie Reed converting with a back post header. But then in the 76th minute, Ascot were able to equalise to make it 3-3. Newbury still had further chances to score however, hitting the woodwork twice in quick succession. Sadly for Newbury, it seemed that the Ascot goalkeeper was leading a charmed life.
With the game tied at 3-3, it was another cup tie that looked to be heading for penalties. Both Managers made substitutions in the 90th minute, both with penalty takers in mind. But then the cruellest of luck befell Newbury again, when a cross came in from the right and the ball was allowed to bobble inside the Newbury box. An Ascot substitute was able to latch onto it and she fired home in the 91st minute. This made it 4-3 to Ascot and gave Newbury little time in which to try to mount another comeback. Even then Gabriely Da Silva broke down the right and got in a shot that looked to go into the top left hand corner only to see the Ascot goalkeeper get her fingertips to the ball and deflect it onto the post, the rebound avoiding the incoming Nebury players.
Newbury were denied on this occasion and it is Ascot United Ladies who progress in the competition.
Match report by Sue Hewett
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