Fulham dump Magpies out of Women’s FA Cup

Maidenhead United Women: Jackson-Sankey’s side heartbroken following late goal

Maidenhead United Women were left heartbroken after a late winner for Fulham Women at the Whites Motspur Park home on Sunday afternoon took the Londoners through to the first round proper of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.

United will feel that the least they deserved was the opportunity to take the tie to penalties but they were left frustrated by an incredible double-save by former Magpies ‘keeper Edie Kelly in injury time as Simone O’Brien’s goal-bound free-kick was kept out and the Fulham shot-stopper then reacted to keep out Amy Saunders volleyed effort on the rebound.

There was still time for Sarah Thompson’s cross to be volleyed narrowly over by O’Brien as Maidenhead poured forward looking for an equaliser. It all looked so different earlier on. Maidenhead made a bright start but it was the hosts who enjoyed the best chances. Annie Thomas headed over from a corner and then Tia Foreman shot over when well placed.

Fulham top-scorer Helen Ogle crossed for Georgia Heasman to volley over before Kajal Malhotra was forced to clear from her own goal line for

Maidenhead under pressure from Heasman as the high-flying in-form London & South East Regional League side showed their quality. Megalie Mendes and Thomas both failed to hit the target with further opportunities for the hosts but it was Maidenhead who went closest to scoring when Natalie Cowell turned and her shot looped off the top of the crossbar.

United then took charge of the game with a quick-fire double. Firstly from Malhotra’s cross Cowell smartly volleyed the opener past Kelly and a matter of minutes later the Fulham ‘keeper had no chance with Chrissy Nazif’s acrobatic effort after great work by the hard-working Cowell.

In between the goals, Ogle shot straight at Magpies ‘keeper Gemma Harvey but Fulham were given a lifeline when Malhotra was adjudged to have handled the ball at point blank range. Foreman’s penalty kick was saved by Harvey but Foreman was first to the rebound to half the arrears before half time.

After the break, Fulham stepped up their efforts to get back into the match, camping themselves in the Maidenhead half and getting their reward before the hour as Ogle headed home after Foreman pulled the ball back from the far post at a corner.

Harvey was out to smartly save from Ede Buchele before Ogle missed a good chance to give the hosts the lead but United grew into the game again and it was at the end of their most sustained period of dominance in the half that Ogle broke to score what proved to be the winner with three minutes left.

Following tonight’s (Thursday) league match at Swindon, the Magpies turn their attention to the FA Women’s National League Plate game versus Billericay at York Road on Sunday, 2pm.