Long-range efforts make the difference in unfortunate loss

It was a mixed weekend for Maidenhead United Women with defeat for the first team at Moneyfields in the FAWNL Division 1 South West, whilst the in-form development team recorded a second straight victory, this time over London Seaward, writes Neil Maskell.

The Magpies can count themselves unfortunate to have fallen to defeat in West Sussex.

The third-placed home side have been in good goalscoring form all season, a campaign in which they reached the 4th Round proper of the Adobe

Women’s FA Cup.

Yet against luckless Maidenhead, the hosts edged the match thanks to two unstoppable long-range strikes.

United kept free-scoring Kau’Inohea Taylor quiet all afternoon, but Megan Fox’s shot from distance gave Rosie Willmott-Joyce no chance before the usually prolific Simone O’Brien saw her penalty kick hit the outside of the post after Freya Meadows-Tuson was brought down by the

Moneys ‘keeper after latching on to Macey-Nikiah Walter’s clever flick.

United did get their reward inside the final twenty minutes when substitute Izzy Stockton chipped home a clever finish but within two minutes the Magpies were behind again when they conceded possession cheaply in their own half and the ball was worked across to Gema Simmonds who rifled a clean strike into the bottom corner from well outside the penalty area.

Magpies gaffer Ed Jackson-Norris felt that his side deserved to win the game, let alone draw.

His team now have two remaining league matches, their final ‘home’ fixture will be a 2pm kick off at Burnham FC versus Keynsham Town on Sunday, April 21.

The first team are also still in the Combined Counties League Cup – their delayed quarter final tie will be at the winners of the outstanding tie between QPR and Ashford Town (Middlesex).

There was better news for the development team at

Cox Green Leisure Centre.

The side, managed by Nial Irwin, recorded their second successive home win, this time a single goal victory over London Seaward.

It was a first league clean sheet of the season and the Magpies won the match through a first half goal from Charlie Potter, assisted by Ines Cipriano.

The team have now won three of their last seven games, an outstanding effort for a rapidly improving brand new side who were defeated in each of their first ten league outings.

The result can in adversity as captain Ashlee Withers was perhaps rather harshly sent off with more than 10 minutes to play, adjudged as denying a clear goalscoring opportunity after a coming together which saw the Maidenhead player walk off with stud marks on her leg.

However, the team regrouped to hold out with the victory, displaying the team spirit they have continually demonstrated.

Their final game will be the reverse fixture at

London Seaward on April 21.