MUWFC draw blank against battling Bridgwater

 

The Magpies Women fell to defeat on Sunday at Sandhurst where they entertained a Bridgwater United side who claimed the three points thanks to a scrappy early goal on an frustrating afternoon where Ed Jackson-Norris’s team suffered significant injury blows. 

 

United started the game on the front foot and earned a corner in the opening moments when captain Simone O’Brien’s cross was cleared behind by a visiting defending with Aleasha Lunn seemingly ready to pounce. It was from the visitors first corner of their own that the match-winning goal came about. The ball was swung in by captain Ella-Mae Miller and as the ball hung up in the swirling wind United could not clear their lines and Keeley Banfield steered home the loose ball just four minutes into the match. 

 

There was a lengthy stoppage when United ‘keeper went up for an aerial challenge and came off second best, the brave American being taken to A&E at the Royal Berkshire Hospital with a shoulder injury which necessitated Izzy Stockton taking the gloves. This therefore meant that Jackson-Norris would have to do without the joint top-scorer in her usual attacking role from 2023/24 for the remainder of the game. In the second period, United also saw defender Tarran Williams limp off. 

 

Maidenhead to their credit actually enjoyed their best spell after the first significant injury blow. They earned a series of set pieces and most of the remainder of the first half was played in the Bridgwater half. However, they largely failed to test Alex Madden in the visiting goal and their best first half chance came when Natasha Rasmussen’s effort from range had Madden back-pedalling with the ball eventually going narrowly over the top. There was however a let off shortly before the half ended when Beth Everson went through on goal but shot tamely at Stockton. 

 

Everson had two further similar opportunities in a second period generally dominated by the visitors. The alert Stockton kept out the Bridgwater forward who was also denied by excellent last ditch defending by firstly Ashlee Withers and then Aleasha Lunn. The industrious Hollie Tappin was frustrated by Stockton at the near post and Maidenhead’s best opportunities came on the break with off-target efforts. Macey Nikiah-Walters shot across goal from a tight angle and a delightful move featuring Rasmussen and Walters saw teenage substitute Ellie Manners go close with a shot which didn’t trouble Madden. 

 

Deep into injury time Maidenhead won a corner and the United bench urged stand-in ‘keeper Stockton forward to take up a more familiar role in the opposition penalty area. Lunn’s kick fell nicely for Stockton whose shot from close range was blocked by the red-and-black wall before match referee Natan Brown signalled the end of a frustrating afternoon for a youthful Maidenhead outfit who must remain patient with significant challenges ahead. 

 

Maidenhead will now turn their attentions to the cup, having earned a reputation as knock-out football specialists last term. Their match on Thursday 29th August at York Road in the FAWNL Cup against Ashford Town (Middlesex) is Free to MUFC Gold Members, otherwise admission is by cash payment only, £5 adults, £2 concessions. There is a special offer for a £5 family ticket – 2 adults and a maximum 3 children – who present a voucher available at the Magpies men’s home game with Barnet on Bank Holiday Monday.