League leaders put Ed’s Magpies to the sword

Maidenhead United Women: No consolation for United after heavy defeat to Exeter

Maidenhead United Women were out of luck last Sunday afternoon as they slipped to defeat to the FA Women’s National League Division 1 South

West leaders, Exeter City.

Just a fortnight after competing so well against the same opposition at the Exwick Sports Hub in the FAWNL Cup, Ed Jackson-Sankey’s (right) side were well below par in the opening half hour against very talented opposition, by which time the outcome of this match had been put well beyond doubt.

A terrific save by visiting ‘keeper Abigail Bond from Natalie Cowell’s firmly struck shot at the end of Shylla Carty-Duhaney’s pull back prevented United from going ahead early on but by the 10 minute mark United trailed to a brace of identical goals inside quick succession, both scored by Jenna Markham and the deficit became three before twenty minutes had elapsed as the unfortunate Gemma Bloor deflected a corner kick into her own net. For the third week in a row a baffling penalty decision went against United, with everyone inside York Road bar the match referee surprised to see play stopped and a spot kick awarded which was duly put away by Zoe Watkins.

There was a vastly improved performance by United after the break following a formation change by Jackson-Sankey which saw Rosie Kirby and teenager Mia Stovell introduced.

Stovell’s pace stretched the Grecians defence on numerous occasions and United would argue that they would have deserved a consolation goal for their pressure but the scoring was completed midway through the second period as Watkins tidily put the ball into the roof of Gemma Harvey’s net.

The Magpies attention now turns to cup matches on successive Sundays.

On Sunday afternoon, they visit Bulmershe Pavilion (RG5 3HG) to take on Woodley United in the Berks & Bucks Cup Quarter-Final. The following Sunday (October 23) the Vitality Womens FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round will take Maidenhead to Motspur Park, home of Fulham Women whose team includes former Magpies Sophie Modak and Edie Kelly.

Both matches will kick off at 2pm.