United bounce back to beat rivals Portishead
Defender Thompson puts Magpies on course for victory
Maidenhead United Women bounced back to form after a mediocre performance against promotion-chasing AFC Bournemouth the previous weekend that manager Ed Jackson-Norris had put down to “tired legs” with what was ultimately a convincing FA Women’s National League win at York Road against Portishead Town last Sunday afternoon.
The Magpies made a slow start again in the York Road sunshine. The away side had lost their previous three in league and cup prior to their visit to Berkshire but they made the more likely start and Annys Turner was close to getting a decisive touch to ball played into the box with Rosie Wilmott-Joyce exposed in the Magpies. Most of the half chances for Maidenhead fell to Natasha Rasmussen, who had captained Reading’s Under 21 side to victory in the Berks & Bucks Cup Final the previous weekend. Her header from a corner went wide of goal before she hit two efforts from range over the top of Isobel Spence’s goal. Top-scorer Simone O’Brien flicked United’s best opening of a cagey first half into the side-netting from a Rasmussen cross.
Into the second period, the visitors had a shout for handball in the Maidenhead area ignored by referee Robert Poole before United took control. It was the quality of their set-piece delivery which gave the Magpies breathing space. Rasmussen had
already hit a post with a cheeky effort from distance after Spence’s clearance had left the visitors ‘keeper in limbo before O’Brien’s corner was headed home by defender Sarah Thompson, who had scored three goals the previous day for Maidenhead United’s Women’s Futsal team.
The second goal came just after the hour mark after a foul on Natalie Cowell was instantly punished as Megan Halfacree’s delicious delivery was glided into the net by Cowell. Portishead to their immense credit did not just accept defeat and they fought back strongly with Shannon Holloway heading a presentable opportunity in the side-netting. Jackson-Norris turned to his bench to see the game out and he was rewarded for his changes with a brace of goals in the closing minutes of the game to put some gloss on the scoreline.
RJ Jauad-Taborda and MaceyNikiah Walters were both introduced along with fellow forward Gemma Luke and the former duo were both denied by Spence before the sparkling finale. With time running out, Luke scored her first FAWNL goal with a fine angled drive in off the post after taking a pass from Jauad-Taborda. Then in the final moments of normal time recent signing Jauda-Taborda displayed her quality by putting the ball into the bottom corner after a cute assist by Walters. Between times fellow substitute Vicky Carvill had crashed an effort onto the face of the crossbar following a corner as
United’s quality delivery continued to cause Portishead pain.
The victory moved the Magpies just one victory away from recording a new FAWNL points record for the club with four matches left to play, starting at relegation-threatened Torquay United on Easter Sunday. United have already set a MUWFC goalscoring record for the FAWNL as they look to continue their strong second half of the season.