Tricky start for Newbury FC, despite Monger’s eye for goal

Newbury Football Club have kicked off their Thames Valley Premier League campaign.

Last Wednesday saw an evening fixture for their first game of the season, as they travelled to Padworth Village Hall to face Reading YMCA.

It wasn’t the start they were hoping for, but there were plenty of positives for new head coach Mark Foad and his assistants.

Newbury raced into a three goal lead, with Harry Monger bagging either side of half-time before William Stantiford made it three.

But it would end in disaster, as the hosts scored four in the last half an hour to complete an astonishing comeback.

Saturday saw a return to action and another away trip, as Newbury travelled to Burghfield.

It was a similar story, albeit a lower scoring one, as Newbury took the lead after 32 minutes through Harry Monger, who bagged his third of the season.

The hosts would respond in the second half however, with two goals in just three minutes to take the game away from Newbury.

Newbury’s coaching team will be quick to address what seems to be an issue of concentration and confidence, with both games showing how once the opponent scores one goal, more are quick to follow.

Saturday presents a chance to put this right, as Newbury host AFC Winkfield at Henwick Playing Fields at 2pm.