Magpies pick up point from full-blooded game
Maidenhead United Women picked up a useful point from Sunday's full-blooded encounter with Portishead Town at York Road, the final fixture of the calendar year.
After going almost a month with no competitive football, Ryan Taylor's side bounced back in fine style with a 4-0 win over Larkhall Athletic and, they looked more than capable of building on that win as they raced out of the blocks against Portishead.
Simone O’Brien tested Portishead ‘keeper Chloe Fensome at her near post inside the opening seconds of the game and they held the lead within a couple of minutes after top scorer Nicole Barrett's cross from the right was deflected into her own net by a luckless visiting defender.
United continued to press, with Sarah Thompson bundling a Barrett corner towards goal only for a Portishead defender
to hack the ball away on the goal line.
Teenage keeper Gemma Harvey became one of four Maidenhead players to be cautioned when she handled outside the area, and the visitors hauled themselves level from the penalty spot when referee Gareth Burton spotted a trip in the area. Torrington slammed the spotkick past Harvey to make it 1-1 after 15 minutes.
No further goals were scored but chances continued to come and go for both sides. Barrett hit the far post after latching onto a cross-field ball following good work from Kirsty Matthews and Nat Barnes.
Emily Lindsay came close to a second for Portishead in the second half when she fired just past the post, while Harvey had to be alert to snuff out the danger as Shannon Holloway ran through on goal.
Ultimately a draw was the fairest outcome, but the hosts will be kicking themselves they didn't take a couple of late chances. Firstly, O'Brien volleyed over with the goal gaping after substitute Tina Brett had sent in a teasing cross, and then Brett herself steered a clear opening wide following Megan Halfacree's free kick. The result leaves the Magpies fifth in the FA Women's National League South West Division.