Holders Maidenhead United advanced to the final of the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup again on Sunday afternoon. Goalkeeper Kenny Clarke stepped up to score the winning penalty in the shoot-out at MK Dons having earlier pulled off two fine saves in normal time at the Dons Tattenhoe Sports Pavilion.
The battle of the tier-four sides was always likely to be a tight encounter and sure enough with the sides exchanging a second half goal apiece following a blank first half, the match had to be settled by a shoot-out with the Magpies keeping their nerve to win 5-4 in sudden death.
Dave Kitson made one change to the side as Tarran Williams stepped into a back-five, with Megan Harper taking a place on the substitutes bench. The sides rather cancelled each other out in the first period, the highlight of the opening 45 being a magnificent save at full stretch from Jamie-Lee Bamford which kept out an acrobatic effort from Lyndsey Preston which the Dons ‘keeper would have seen late.
The home side took the lead six minutes in the second period when a slide-rule pass was finished off expertly by Molly Lemon past the onrushing Clarke. Two magnificent Clarke saves were required to keep United in the game before the levelled on the hour – a rare moment of hesitancy from the Dons and a composed finish from Preston.
United had rather the better of it in the final half hour but they couldn’t beat Bamford again so it was left to penalty kicks as the heavens began to open. The Dons were first to blink when Lemon’s spot kick – Dons second – struck the crossbar. United missed their third as Sarah Sparrow sent her powerful effort inches over the top. There was drama at the Dons fourth penalty as Alex O’Neill’s kick saw Clarke get two hands to the slippery ball and then have to scoop at the loose ball after losing her grasp, the referee ruling the ball had crossed the line. Dons went 4-3 up and top-scorer Izzy Stockton managed to score her kick with confidence to keep Maidenhead in it. In sudden death the unfortunate Paige Ridley sent her effort over the top leaving Clarke to find the bottom corner and win the tie.
The final against Ascot United will be held at Beaconsfield Town FC on Sunday 15th March, with a 2pm kick off. Tickets will be available on the day priced at Adults £5.00, U16 £1.00 and U5 Free. The clubhouse bar will be open for hot and cold refreshments.
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