TVPL Premier Division
This weekend I finally had the chance to make the long awaited trip to visit Newbury Town and take a dip into step seven football. I had only seen Newbury play once before and that was during my Bracknell Town following days at Larges Lane in the early 90s. Newbury came away with a 2-1 win in the FA Vase that day on the way to reaching the quarter finals of that competition. Sadly, the original Newbury Town dissolved a couple of seasons later, with the club later being reborn.
Now back at their spiritual Faraday Road home and, after a lot of hard work from those behind the scenes rebuilding the club, fortunes are changing for Newbury. They have applied to go up to step six next season, have a new covered standing area awaiting installation and, in conjunction with the local council, floodlights will be going up in the near future. They also have a decent local following, regularly clocking up 200-300 attendances and buying club merchandise which gives them regular funding coming in and enables the club to continue moving forward.
After an easy train ride and a pleasant 10 minute walk to the ground including a brief picture break for the barges on the Kennet going over the bridge, I had finally made it. They have a grass pitch and a nice seating area in a small stand on the halfway line, a small bar area and Sarah’s grill which serves some amazing food (more on that in a bit!).
Going in to this game Newbury were sitting in fifth spot in the Thames Valley Premier League having won 10 of their 18 games this season. Their opponents, Wargrave, were sitting unbeaten in second place, winning 14 of their 18 games and five points adrift of the all-conquering Westwood Wanderers in first place with a 100% record, winning all 17 of their league matches.
After a quick cider and chatting to a couple of the friendly people keeping the club going, it was time to head off to check out Sarah’s Grill. Their special of the day was a large bratwurst with onions in a baguette for £7.50 which it would have been rude not to try! It was delicious. They also serve up burgers of various sizes, chicken burgers, nuggets & strips, and loaded fries with a selection of toppings that looked fantastic. You won’t go hungry at Newbury!
I was still munching my way through the bratwurst when the game kicked off. The first chance came to the visitors, captain Stuart Moss got behind the home defence and crossed into the box but his teammate’s glancing header went just wide of the far post.
A long throw from Newbury’s Theo Pennicott-Bowen caused the visiting defence a problem at the near post, the ball coming off the top of the defenders’ head and went just over the bar.
On twenty minutes the visitors took the lead. A long ball over the top was chased down by Moss whose first effort was partially blocked by the onrushing keeper with Moss quickest to react to the loose ball, stroking the ball into the empty net. 0-1
Wargrave were now very much on top. A long throw from the right was flicked on inside the box and had to be hacked away from the goal line. Moments later Moss beat the offside trap again but this time pushed it wide and he couldn’t wrap his foot around the ball to get a clean strike away. Soon after another effort from the edge of the box went the wrong side of the post.
The home side started to rally in the later stages of the half. A nice interchange between Jake Allan and Liam Smith played in Daniel Santos-Keskin and only a last-ditch challenge stopped the shot, cleared the ball away for a corner.
The hosts again pressed with Allan causing the away defence a few problems down the right. A Wargrave defender tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick only for Will Stantiford to get in first and fire the ball across the six yard box but no-one had gambled at the far post and the ball went away to safety.
Just before half time Pennicott-Bowen hit a shot from distance only to see it fly over the bar.
H-T: Newbury Town 0 Wargrave 1
The first twenty minutes of the second half were a scrappy affair with neither side managing to trouble either keeper. The closest we came was a snapshot from a corner which went narrowly past the Newbury upright.
Newbury started to take control and made a good chance, Jack Pipkin played a lovely ball from left to right finding Stantiford in space but he hurried his shot and the Wargrave keeper made a smart stop at his near post.
The same two players were involved again shortly afterwards, this time Stantiford finding Pipkin in space. He tried to lob the ball over the keeper into the far corner but his effort was just too high.
The pressure finally told as a Luke Gray free kick from the left somehow bounced its way to Callum Carlisle on the edge of the six yard box and he stabbed the ball home. 1-1
Things were getting a little heated as Newbury pushed for a winner, Riley Cannell was involved in a tussle on the right flank and received a booking. In the melee that followed the Wargrave number three was sin-binned for I assume dissent.
The hosts continued to throw everything forward searching for a final chance and were caught on the sucker punch in added time. From one of their free kicks the ball was cleared and a quick counter attack released Teddy Thomas to bear down on goal. Jack North came rushing out but Thomas completed a composed finish by sliding the ball past the onrushing keeper, sparking celebratory scenes from the Wargrave team and bench. 1-2
The hosts battled back but to no avail as the visitors were able to see the game out and keep the pressure on Westwood Wanderers with a valuable and hard fought three points.
F-T: Newbury Town 1 Wargrave 2
A decent match which could have gone either way on the day. A tough one to take for Newbury while Wargrave will be very happy to come out of the game taking the three points home.
My MOM would be Wargrave captain Stuart Moss. He’s one of those players who chases everything and spends the rest of the time winding everyone else up. Definitely the sort of player you want on your side rather than against you!
Both sides also had to deal with an erratic young official who, to be honest, didn’t have a great game and wasn’t helped by his assistants who seemed to judge their decisions on which team shouted the loudest. He looked like he struggled being in charge of a big game and hopefully he’ll learn a lot from this.
All in all, a great day out and met some fantastic people at Newbury. Thanks to everyone for your hospitality, especially Danny for giving me the lowdown on club history and future plans, and Nic Robbins the tannoy master, for looking after me and his efforts in trying to get me team sheets! I’ll definitely be back at some point next season to catch up, hopefully with the club at step six! If you’re in the vicinity or never visited Newbury Town, give it a go, it’s a great club!
Wishing the best of luck to both sides for the remainder of the season.