All Yellow as MUWFC slip to defeat

After a confidence boosting 3-0 win for the Magpies against Reading FC that booked them a spot in the county cup final, both Maidenhead and home side Abingdon had reason for ambition going into Sunday’s match. However, despite the recent positive results for Maidenhead, their performance fell short as the hosts forced them into a 2-0 defeat, writes Daisy Miners. 

 

Five changes were made to the Maidenhead starting eleven as Isacc Gregory, Katie Akerman, Simone O’Brien and Aaliyah Charles all featured in the line up as well as Kody Cornish replacing Kenny Clarke in goal. 

With Abingdon sitting ninth in the league just behind Maidenhead in eighth, the hosts were eager to close the gap between the two sides as they opened the game with relentless pressure. Magpie keeper Kody Cornish was required to make a save in the early minutes of game and the defensive line worked hard to keep the pressure at bay. A chance for Abingdon occurred in the 12th minute but it was wasted as the ball flew over the cross bar and the score remained level. 

 

The home side had plenty of chances in the opening fifteen minutes of the game due to a dominant performance and intense physicality but the Magpies came close to opening the scoring themselves as Simone O’Brien produced the sides first shot on target with a strong strike of the ball. To the disappointment of the visitors, a superb defensive header on behalf of Abingdon cleared the ball of the line and removed the threat of a goal. It was Abingdon’s Molly Lygo who struck first to put her side 1-0 up in the 19th minute after going one on one with the defender and managing to drift the ball past the goal keeper and into the net. 

 

The Magpies tried to respond quicky as they began to grow into the game but Abingdon were successfully holding majority or the possession. A free kick for Maidenhead taken by Katie Akerman led to a chance in the 25th minute after a one-on-one battle with the defender but the shot was blocked and the score was unchanged. Despite being a goal in deficit, the away side kept working hard to improve their performance and get back into the game. 

 

Chances were coming in flurry for the hosts as two shots floated over the top of the Maidenhead defence and were planted on the top of the net of the Magpie goal, providing further threat to the scoreline. The hopes of the away team rose as Simone O’Brien created another moment of excitement as she struck the ball in what looked to be a chance to equalise but the shot sailed just wide of goal 40 minutes into the first half. 

 

However, this momentum quicky shifted in favour of Abingdon as the Holly Seewood curled her left foot around the ball and nestled it in the top corner. Her well worked and excellent effort cemented the lead for her side just before the half time whistle 

 

Entering the last 45 minutes of the game with the wind behind the Magpies, they were looking to overcome the two-goal lead of Abingdon and the half started with a strong, but fair, tackle on Libby Doyle that raised concern of a potential injury for Maidenhead. Fortunately, Libby got back on her feet and continued to work with vigour to extinguish the Abingdon attack. 

 

Keeper Kody Cornish provided another comfortable save in the 57th minute, getting down at the near post to collect the ball put into the box as Abingdon went 3 v 2 against the magpie’s defence. Macey-Nikiah Walters created the next shot on target for Maidenhead with a good effort from outside the box that was caught by Abingdon keeper Crierie and Abingdon were able to continue their clean sheet. 

 

The Magpies struggled to destroy the stamina of Abingdon as Molly Lygo attempted to claim her second of the match with a shot on target but Kody Cornish made another crucial save, extending a foot to deter the ball away from goal. With little time remaining, Abingdon registered one more shot in the dying minutes of the game with an ambitious attempt from 35 yards out after spotting the Magpie keeper off the line. The lob bounced off the post, leaving the score at 2-0. 

 

Regardless of a frustrating result for Maidenhead, the side showed grit and determination in the blustery and bitter conditions away from home.