United’s season ends with defeat to the Chairgirls
Maidenhead United Women FC: Magpies beaten 1-0 in cup
Maidenhead United Women’s season ended on a disappointing note as a squad featuring five trialists succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in the home side’s inaugural Sponsors Cup match at Burnham, writes Neil Maskell.
The Magpies looked a little rusty throughout and lacked the fluency which made them one of the form sides in the second half of their FA Women’s National League season; no surprise perhaps given that – due to the postponement of their final match of the league season due to the inability of Larkhall Athletic to raise a team – their last competitive game had been three weeks prior to this end of season friendly.
Maidenhead – who had defeated the same opposition 4-0 in pre-season – had their trialist goalkeeper to thank for two early blocks to keep the scoresheet blank before United went on to dominate much of the first half of this competitive local derby. Teenager Amelie Mayani went close twice as the Magpies stretched the home defence but the MUFC Academy top-scorer was unable to open the scoring. Maidenhead earned a number of set pieces in and around the Wycombe box but they were ultimately defeated by a second half spotkick put away by Katie Riddington after a foul in the box by a United trialist. A second penalty was awarded after an innocuous-looking collision in the box but this time the kick was expertly saved by the impressive Maidenhead goalkeeper. Thereafter, Maidenhead rather struggled to impose their game on the home side until it was too late and the Chairgirls held on doggedly to pick up the trophy.
Whilst Ed JacksonSankey would have been disappointed to end such a promising season on a low note, the primary objective of the match from United’s point of view was to launch their forthcoming trials for players to join the club’s new Development squad for 2023/24. The club will be entering a side into the FA Women’s National League Reserve league for the first time next season and trials will commence on Thursday 1st June 2023 at Furze Platt Senior School.
The manager reflected on the importance of the new Development team, saying: “The formation of the Development team will allow for a stronger pathway throughout the Women's section of the club. In both the men's and women's game, it can be incredibly difficult to transition straight from youth football to a high pressured, results based environment. The Development team will provide players with the opportunity to become accustomed to the demands of senior football, without the direct pressure of needing to acquire 3 points. This new team entering the FA Women’s National Reserve League means they will also mirror the travelling demands of the First Team - something we felt was important - and will provide players returning from injury another avenue through which to build their fitness. This is a huge and important step in the progress of this football club.” Any player aged 16+ is welcome to join the sessions and any interested parties can contact Ed Jackson-Sankey directly on 07442 839264 or via edsankey2 3@gmail.com.