NEWBURY Ladies slumped to a 4-1 defeat at home to Oxford City Ladies in their Southern Region Premier Division game on Sunday.

The initial early pressure came from the visitors and it was no surprise when they were able to open the scoring from a corner after eight minutes.

Newbury grew into the game and equalised in the 20th minute from one of their own corners, Ellie Reed’s in-swinger dropping inside the six-yard box to Michelle Beverley, who with her back to goal, played the ball into the path of the on-rushing Rebecca Chitolie to slam home for 1-1.

A crucial moment arrived on 68 minutes as a penalty kick was awarded to Oxford despite strong protests from the Newbury players, and with the spot-kick duly dispatched, the visitors led 2-1.

Chitolie had an opportunity to equalise almost immediately when she found herself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but agonisingly for Newbury, her effort went just wide of the upright.

Just four minutes later Oxford turner the screw further by making it 3-1, and they added a fourth 10 minutes from time to add a further gloss to the scoreline.

Lauren Hanson was named player-of-the-match for Newbury.

In Division Three South of the Thames Valley Counties League, table-toppers Newbury Development put in a superb display to thrash hosts Barton Rovers Royals 5-0.

Newbury started well and in a cagey first-half affair, they just edged it at the break thanks to a goal from in-form striker, Amy McNab, assisted by Bec Walker.

After the break Newbury’s attackers ran riot, with Walker making it 2-0 after being supplied by McNab.

Maria Rodrigues added the third, before replacement Kendall Gilmour bagged a brace after coming on for the final 10 minutes.

Louise Gulliver was the stand-out performer for the league leaders.