United’s women picked up another point in their battle to secure their FAWNL status but will feel they had the chances to defeat local rivals Abingdon United in an entertaining York Road clash on Wednesday night.
For the third season in a row the SL6-encounter between these sides ended in a draw. The two sides exchanged early goals, with Maidenhead forcing their way ahead after seven minutes when Izzy Stockton stooped to nod home one of many excellent crosses delivered on the night by left-back Chloe Webb. However, the visitors were level just five minutes later when top scorer Molly Lygo- Jackson took advantage of a defensive lapse by the Magpies and hammered a fine rising drive into the stanchion, giving Mia Smith in the Maidenhead goal no chance.
The home side thereafter enjoyed most of the territorial advantage in the first half. A series of important blocks were made by the well-drilled visitors back line, including one fierce goal-bound effort from Aaliyah Charles. Before the break, the dangerous Megan Harper played in Stockton whose first time shot was deflected into the outside of the goal-netting. The second period saw United start on the front foot again, but this half saw the chances come more frequently and evenly between the sides. Webb tested ‘keeper Caitlin Crierie at her near post before Erin Hartigan for the visitors could only slice her half-chance at the far post wide of the target.
Nell Boxall was quick as a flash onto a moment of defensive uncertainty for the Oxfordshire side but put her early shot wide of Smith’s goal, before a fine run and shot from Harper beat both Crierie and the crossbar. The otherwise composed Abingdon ‘keeper had a heart-in-mouth moment when she dropped a routine cross at the feet of substitute Chloe Chapman who was astonished to see Crierie recover and block her shot and – before Stockton had two opportunities at the death to win this one in dramatic fashion - Abingdon could have won the match with a breakaway that gave them a two on one situation. Ultimately Hartigan's fierce shot went wide of Mia Smith's far post and both sides will have lamented chances that came and went in settling for a point apiece.
You can hear the reaction following this exciting midweek encounter from coach Sean Hillier and captain Simone O'Brien, brought to you by our official videographers FC Video.
Share this post: