Luckless Magpies lose opener at Portishead
Luckless Maidenhead United Women suffered defeat in their first FA Women’s National League game of the season at Portishead Town on the back of a questionable decision from the match officials.
United were well in the game against a home side who were already three games into their season but midway through the first half a corner was erroneously awarded to the hosts on the advice of an assistant referee who was patrolling the touchline on the opposite side of the pitch, despite the match referee seemingly being better placed to make a decision.
The hosts punished the Magpies by scoring from that corner as Ellie-Mae Bell bundled home.
The visitors suffered a prematch blow before the trip to Somerset when goalkeeper Gemma Harvey was ruled out through injury and with other absences they were only able to name three substitutes.
They started the game well enough with Simone O’Brien hitting the target with a freekick before Nat Cowell flicked a corner from debutant Rosie
Kirby over the top.
At the other end Lola Pollard saved well at her near post prior to the game-changing opening goal, and a matter of minutes after Portishead opened the scoring they led by two when Ellie Strippel finished clinically at the end of a counter attack.
Tine Brett miscued an effort for the Magpies following a corner kick and Cowell failed to convert following a neat turn and shot before the Maidenhead forward came close again with an effort on goal which drifted just wide following a cross from Brett.
The mood was therefore positive at half-time but United started the second period slowly when Bell scored from range. Maidenhead hit back with Cowell seeing her shot saved after a pass from O’Brien before Sarah Thompson’s header from O’Brien’s free-kick glanced agonisingly wide with Portishead ‘keeper Paige Horsnell seemingly beaten.
A fourth goal scored by Brooke Stirrup after a defensive mix up was a cruel blow to United who were far more competitive than the final margin suggests.
There were, however, positives with the performances of newcomers Kirby and substitute Rebecca Wilson-Kane, whilst experienced Alex Dover made her long-awaited return after 714 days out through injury.