It was disappointment for MUWFC as they were defeated in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup final at Beaconsfield Town FC on Sunday15th March. Divisional rivals Ascot United deserved their victory which denied Maidenhead the chance to take the trophy home with them for the second season in a row, ensuring there is a brand new name on the Trophy this season.
Maidenhead actually started the game well on a blustery and cold day in Buckinghamshire. Within two minutes a cross from the left was crashed narrowly wide of the far post by Lyndsey Preston. Aaliyah Charles tested Cherry Preisner in the Ascot goal as the Magpies had the better of the early exchanges. There were however in truth very few quality chances created in the first half, and somewhat against the run of play Ascot led through the scrappiest of goals. From a Bell Cox corner, Kenny Clarke in the Magpies goal felt she was impeded and the ball crossed the line after an almighty scramble. Referee Imogen Hooper discussed the incident with her Assistant but awarded the goal.
Before the break, the Magpies had the ball in the Ascot net but with Izzy Stockton ruled to have impeded Preisner, Megan Harper’s strike was ruled out. Into the second period, Izzy Stockton threatened with an effort on goal early in the half and in response Delaney and Balaam had attempts on goal for the Yellas, the latter effort expertly dealt with by Clarke to turn the shot over the bar.
Maidenhead began to get on top briefly with Preston and substitute Charley Evans going close, the latter with a header from a corner after Preisner had turned a dangerous cross from Chloe Webb behind. On the break Ascot won a free-kick on their left, the ball into the box was headed towards goal and saved by Clarke with the outstanding Erin Huntley first to the loose ball to smash home a crucial second goal with less than twenty minutes to go.
That second goal was needed, because into injury time Preston (pictured) cut in and scored inside Preisner’s near post to reduce the arrears. Maidenhead also had loud shouts for handball in the area turned down by referee Hooper as the Magpies characteristically refused to give up, however Ascot had earlier gone closest to sewing the game up when Balaam was again denied by Clarke and it took a brave block from Evans to deny substitute Goulden for the Yellas.
Share this post: