Magpies earn plaudits but no points in defeat
Maidenhead United Women: United play well out of possession against Cardiff City
Maidenhead United Women 0, Cardiff City Women 3 Maidenhead United Women took plenty of plaudits if no points from their York Road encounter with runaway leaders Cardiff City Ladies on Sunday, writes Neil Maskell.
An early individual error, a penalty described as “questionable” by manager Ed Jackson-Sankey, and a goal deep into time added on may look comfortable in the cold light of day but those details fail to tell the full story of a hard-working and high-quality United performance in the context of a fixture against a side averaging more than five goals a game and who now boast eight FA Women’s National
League Division 1 South West wins from eight.
A goal after four minutes set Cardiff City on their way, Kerry Bartlett capitalising after an error of judgement by Kajal Malhotra who has otherwise been so dependable for Jackson-Sankey across the back four this season. But, United then frustrated the away side for nearly an hour of this match.
Top-scorer Megan Halfacree went on a familiar run down the flank from the unfamiliar position of right wing-back and shot wide of the target. A ball into the box from Chrissy Nazif operating on the left was well defended at the far post with the dangerous Imogen
Fisher lurking and the Magpies forward – two goal hero at St Austell the previous weekend – was close to capitalising on a clever pass from Ines Cipriano as
United played some enterprising football.
At the other end Bartlett miskicked in front of goal but otherwise the prolific visitors failed to carve out clear chances after defender Gemma Bloor denied Laura Williams with a crucial block at the near post. Bartlett, Chloe Lloyd and Cori Williams had speculative efforts off target whilst a Halfacree run and cross narrowly evaded the on-rushing Fisher, before Nat Cowell turned and shot at Cardiff ‘keeper O’Sullivan after a pass from Fisher.
It was a soft-looking penalty award on the hour mark which ultimately settled this game. Captain Williams went down in the box with a frustrated Sarah Thompson protesting her innocence. Lloyd converted the spot kick.
In response, another Halfacree run and shot had to be dealt with by O’Sullivan before the post came to Cardiff’s rescue with Vicky Carvill clipping the woodwork at close range following good work by Halfacree and Malhotra. At the death Gemma Harvey saved well with her legs before Grace Seren gave the score line a rather harsh look prior to the last whistle.