United bounce back to beat lowly St Austell
Bright performance lifts Ed's side seven points clear
Maidenhead United Women bounced back from a couple of disappointing results to beat bottom of the table
AFC St Austell 4-0 at Burnham's 1878 Stadium on Sunday, a result that lifts them seven points clear of the FA Women's National League Division 1 South West relegation zone.
United picked up their first league win of the season away to the Cornish side, nicking a last-minute winner in a 3-2 win at Poltair Park back in November, but they demonstrated the vast improvements they've made since then in this comprehensive display.
The visitors actually started this second encounter between the sides on the front foot, and had a shout for a penalty when a ball over the top saw Lucy Solloway clash with Eva-Leanne Thomas, however, referee Andrew Lincoln felt the St Austell player had initiated contact by pushing the United full-back.
Thomas then created the Magpies opening goal in the seventh minute, sending in a diagonal ball that Imogen Fisher expertly finished for her seventh goal of the season.
Fisher cut in and shot over the top barely a minute later before Francesca Thornton sent an effort wide of goal for the visitors following a free kick.
It was end-to-end stuff for much of the first period, with Natalie Cowell denied by Maisie Frickleton, and the St Austell keeper later plunged to her right to keep out a clever glancing header from Fisher following a Megan Halfacree cross.
With the hosts having not won in three matches, they remained a little edgy and St Austell nearly capitalised on this just before half-time. They put the ball into the Magpies area from a corner and an almighty scramble ensued, but the visitors couldn’t turn the ball home as United defended for their lives.
However, by this time United were two goals to the good after Halfacree wrapped her boot around the ball to slam the ball into the top corner.
An early opening for Cowell in the second half was snuffed out by the alert Izzy Mansell covering for St Austell before a rare handling error by Gemma Harvey in goal for the Magpies
was rescued by a last-ditch clearance from Thomas with the goal gaping.
United then took control in the final minutes to cement victory with two quick-fire strikes.
Club history was made when substitute Lydia Vettese scored with her first touches, seconds after joining the action, turning and slotting home an accurate centre from Halfacree.
The goal was the first to be scored by a Maidenhead United Academy graduate.
Within minutes Maidenhead had their fourth when another skilful break by Halfacree resulted in Cowell emphatically scoring with a left-footed drive. A cross from Vettese narrowly evaded a telling touch from Fisher as the Magpies went in search of a fifth, but manager Ed Jackson-Sankey was afforded the luxury of using all five substitutes, including debutant Izzy Stockton
The next assignment for JacksonSankey and his team comes on
Sunday, March 26, 2pm kick-off, when they welcome Southampton Women's FC to York Road for the annual Women and Girls Day.
Admission will be free for all spectators at this match.
Gates will open from 11am and events will include an opportunity to meet-and-greet the United players, face painting, taster sessions for ages 7 to 16, walking football taster sessions, a half time prize draw and a crossbar challenge.