Jackson-Sankey’s side narrowly lose to Sirens
Magpies were well worthy of taking a point from hosts
Maidenhead United Women suffered heartache in their FA Women’s National League encounter at Southampton Women on Sunday as pivotal moments in both boxes in injury time went against them.
Ed Jackson-Sankey’s side had been well worthy of a point on the day but came away with nothing after battling back from conceding the opening goal.
Eleven minutes had elapsed when Kajal Malhotra was rather harshly adjudged to have handled in the area and Shannon Sievwright stepped up to score from the penalty spot.
United, however, are made of stern stuff these days and they hit back eight minutes later when youngster Aleasha Lunn broke from midfield. Her shot was parried by former Maidenhead goalkeeper Ellie Parker but only as far as Megan Halfacree who swept home her eighth goal of the season to put the Magpies on level terms.
There were no further goals in an exciting first half of football but there were openings for both sides. Imogen Fisher’s cross nearly found Eva-Leanne Thomas and the loose ball was fired at goal by Halfacree and deflected wide.
Halfacree was then crowded out at the near post by alert Southampton defending at the expense of a corner after she cut in with intent following a cross-field pass as United’s confidence grew.
At the other end, Jasmin Nassar sent a lobbed effort over the top for the Sirens and then a ball from the right-hand side found Sievwright whose goalbound shot was kept out by a combination of Malhotra and debutant ‘keeper Eve Annets.
The second half was rather more cagey but United were giving the Sirens as good as they got. A well-judged save by Annets – on loan from WSL side Reading – kept out a well flighted free-kick by Shannon Albuery and a lobbed attempt by Halfacree was tipped over by the alert Parker.
Into the closing stages a Magpies corner fell to Malhotra whose shot was cleared off the line before a good opportunity fell Sievwright’s way but she steered her shot wide.
The drama really came in stoppage time. A dangerous through ball was sliced into her own her by Maidenhead’s unfortunate Bethan Poole, who had enjoyed an excellent game. The Magpies went straight up the other end and only an incredible double-save by Parker prevented a deserved equaliser as she denied firstly teenage substitute Izzy Stockton before the rebound fell to Imogen Fisher whose pointblank effort was kept out by Parker’s face.
United will need little motivation in picking themselves up for their next match, which will be their final away game of the season.
The 2pm kick off at AFC Bournemouth on Sunday, April 16 will be played at the Vitality Stadium.
Tickets are available via the Cherries website, priced at £5 for adults and £4 for under 16s and over 65s.