Just six minutes later Newbury found themselves 2 nil down, with Basingstoke threatening to run away with the match. However, Newbury did settle and they began to work their way slowly back into the game. No further chances were conceded, but it did take 23 minutes before Newbury were able to register their first effort on goal, following good play down the left wing.

Jenny Petrylak threading a pass down the line to Zoe Lambden, who showed a great piece of skill to beat the full back, before cutting into the penalty area and trying to curl her shot inside the far post. The Basingstoke keeper was equal to the effort and she saved one handed down to her left hand side.

Further Newbury chances were created in the first half, with both Petrylak and Ruby Oliver each firing just over the bar from distance. Although still two goals behind at half time, Newbury had had enough possession and had created a few openings to give them belief going into the second half.

With both midfields battling hard, real clear cut scoring opportunities were not forthcoming for either side and the match was finely poised at 2 nil, with both teams knowing that the next goal would be crucial. Newbury were giving their all and were trying to force an opening. Ruby Oliver latched onto a pass down the right and made great strides before sending over a dangerous cross. With Nicole Beesley now playing further forward, she had timed her run into the penalty area brilliantly, but for a covering Basingstoke defender to make a vital interception, steering the ball to safety.

Another Newbury attack, this time down the left wing, saw Beesley turn provider for Oliver, with another searching cross. But unfortunately the Basingstoke defence continued to hold firm and the cross was deflected just inches away from Oliver’s path.

On 72 minutes Basingstoke seized an opportunity of their own from a corner, which Newbury then failed to clear. The ball fell to a queue of Basingstoke players on the edge of the area and with a static Newbury defence, it was inevitable that the shot would come in and find the back of the net. Basingstoke had made it 3 nil and looked to have wrapped up all 3 points.

Although Newbury continued to battle on, the third goal had really knocked the stuffing out of them. In the last 5 minutes of the match, they conceded two further goals in quick succession, to make the final score 5 nil to Basingstoke. The result underlining the title credentials of their opponents.