Anja’s first-time strike wins goal of the month
Maidenhead United Women FC: Harper claims award for debut goal against Woodley
Teenager Anja Harper has won the October Football In Berkshire Goal of the Month Award sponsored by Double Barrelled Brewery, following her super-strike with one of her very first touches of the ball in Maidenhead United colours in the Berks &
Bucks Cup Second Round tie at Woodley United.
On as a substitute for her first appearance for the club, the former Hounslow Women midfielder received the ball on the corner of the eighteen-yard box after good hold up play by Natalie Cowell and hit a magnificent first-time effort which arrowed into the top corner. Speaking after that game Anja remarked: “It was one of those ‘in the moment’ things. Nat set me up and someone just yelled ‘shoot first time,’ and I went for it. Top corner, I don’t think I am ever going to forget that.”
The 18-year-old who is studying A-Levels at Henley College joined the Magpies this season and is one of
eight teenagers to appear in Ed Jackson-Sankey’s side this season as the MUWFC gaffer keeps an eye on the future whilst focussing on the present. German-born Anja has impressed all at the club with her maturity and work ethic this season and is clearly enjoying her time with MUWFC, saying
this week: “The coaching and background staff are really professional but also a barrel of laughs. The vibe with the whole club is also really good and the girls are great.”
A supporter of home-town team SC Paderborn in Germany, Anja – who has British parents – also follows Chelsea and has lived in the UK since just before her 13th birthday. Anja has double the opportunity to celebrate success in the men’s World Cup as she supports both Germany and England, a situation she described as 'win-win' when she attended the Euro 2022 Women’s final at Wembley in the summer. She has recently returned from a trip to New Jersey as she looks into a soccer scholarship with Seton Hall University and a bright future in the game seems likely for this intelligent and focussed young footballer.
Anja and her team mates are scheduled to entertain Keynsham Town at York Road tomorrow afternoon at 2pm, Sunday 4th December in a match which has a ‘sixpointer’ feel about it. Admission is FREE for MUFC season ticket holders, whilst adults pay £5 with concessions priced at £3.
The Magpies match programme is available to purchase for £1.