Newbury Ladies Football
Match Report -- Season 2017-18
Thames Valley Counties Women's Football League
Division 2 South
Sunday 11th February 2018
Newbury Ladies Development 2 Kingsclere 2
The Development Team of Newbury Ladies FC hosted Kingsclere Ladies in Division Two South. The home side kicked off the match and they started slightly the better, forcing the game’s first corner after four minutes. But then Kingsclere sounded their own early warning just a minute later, when a strong break down the right, saw their winger cut into the area. She rounded Kat Brown in the Newbury goal, only for defender, Saide Gulliver, to cover and clear the ball away for a corner. Newbury had to deal with a couple of quick corners and then Brown was called upon to make a low save.

This was proving to be a high tempo encounter, with all of the intensity of a local derby match. Although Newbury had some pressure, Kingsclere were creating the more clear cut chances when they were attacking. So it was no surprise in the 12th minute when a shooting chance from the visitors, forced another save from goalkeeper, Brown. But the ball was only parried and this time a Kingsclere player was there to slot home. One nil to Kingsclere.

Newbury’s first substitution was made in the 20th minute, with Lorna Kinder-Parr replaced by Molly Baker in midfield. She was involved immediately, linking well with Maria Rodrigues and Alice Hill. The play became more even, but as half time approached, Kingsclere inflicted a hammer blow to Newbury’s morale. Another quick break into the Newbury penalty area, saw Brown off her line to close down the threat, but as the shot was struck, although she was able to get fingertips to it, she was unable to stop the ball from skimming inside the far post. Two nil now to Kingsclere on 33 minutes.

Newbury needed to re-group and there were signs just before half time that they could unsettle the Kingsclere defence with some more positive attacking play. The Kingsclere left back was becoming particularly troubled by both Baker and Nicole Beesley, earning a yellow card for one cynical block on Baker, when she was almost round her and through on goal. The half time whistle saw Kingsclere quietly satisfied with a two nil score-line, but for Newbury there was work to do.

Newbury Ladies started the second half with renewed energy and a higher press up the field on the Kingsclere players. All the initial efforts at goal were Newbury’s, but the visitors looked to be weathering the storm. Then just inside the hour mark Newbury’s Bec Walker came inside with a powerful, driving run into Kingsclere’s final third. With good options ahead of her, in the shape of Hill and Beesley, Walker elected to thread a neat through ball into Beesley’s path. Kingsclere’s goalkeeper came out well to block the initial shot from Beesley, but the rebound fell kindly, with the ball dropping in favour of the Newbury attacker. Although Beesley was taken wide and with the angle narrowing, she was able to superbly guide her left footed shot into the open net to bring Newbury back into the game. 2-1 now the score-line.

The threat from Kingsclere was not over however, but Newbury’s goalkeeper and defenders were showing tremendous concentration in the second period. Newbury’s goalkeeper, Brown, again pulled off a great save after one such dangerous attack and when a follow up shot came in, Rodrigues had got back onto the goal-line to block exceptionally well and prevent Kingsclere from extending their lead. The game was now being played at a frenetic pace and it was an enthralling contest for the many supporters watching on the side-lines. With 21 minutes remaining, Newbury brought on the experienced Lauren Hanson and her introduction was almost spectacular. She broke up Kingsclere’s possession in the middle of the park and then drove forward, bustling past two despairing challenges. She evaded another defender and then unleashed a dipping shot from 25 yards that had the goalkeeper well beaten. Unfortunately for Hanson and Newbury, the ball didn’t quite dip enough and it was just over the bar for a Kingsclere goal kick.

The best chance then came in the 78th minute for Kingsclere to put the game to bed and score a third goal, but they somehow missed a guilt edge chance to do so. A very quick break down the flank saw the Newbury defence stretched and with two attackers versus one defender in the box, the odds were stacked in Kingsclere’s favour. The cross that came in evaded both goalkeeper and defender, but Kingsclere’s striker couldn’t connect with the ball at the back post and the miss was glaring. How the visitors would rue not taking that opportunity. But for Newbury’s players, they sensed that there was something still in this match for them and bravely switched to a back three for the last ten minutes, throwing on Alex Kovacsova as an extra attacking presence up front.

A Kovacsova pass on the edge of the area, found an unmarked Jasmine Bird in space wide right, but she shot tamely at the goalkeeper for a comfortable save. Next saw great work from Walker, to earn Newbury a corner, which although half cleared, drew a late and desperate challenge from a Kingsclere player wide on the right and 25 yards out. After the Referee had shown the yellow card, the set piece was Newbury’s and up stepped Baker. Her delivery into the area was pure quality and with three Newbury attackers all running onto the flight of the ball, the Kingsclere goalkeeper was bamboozled. The slightest of touches were claimed by both Rodrigues and Walker, before Beesley stole in for the final touch from close range to see the ball into the back of the net. It was an equalising goal that Newbury thoroughly deserved, but they had certainly left it late, with 88 minutes on the clock. With the Kingsclere players shell-shocked, Newbury saw out the remaining minutes to claim a morale boosting 2-2 draw against their local rivals and the league leaders. It had been a fantastic battle, with every Newbury player showing tremendous fight and spirit. Grabbing the headlines of course will be two-goal Nicole Beesley, who bagged her second brace of goals in as many weeks.

Match report by Sue Hewett

Players: Kat Brown, Saide Gulliver, Nicole Pearce, Lauren Sheldon, Amy Lambden (Capt), Sam McConnon, Lorna Kinder-Parr, Maria Rodrigues, Nicole Beesley, Alice Hill, Jasmine Bird, Alex Kovacsova, Marie Prout, Molly Baker, Lauren Hanson, Bec Walker.
Referee: Ian Herrington
Goal scorer
Nicole Beesley (2)
Player of the match
Next fixture

Thames Valley Counties League Division 3 South
Sunday 18th April 2021 2 p.m.
Newbury Dev v Thatcham 1st
at Donnington Recreation Ground