Report & Reaction | Unfortunate Magpies Push Bridgwater All The Way

 

Magpies Women pushed another big-budget side all the way on Sunday afternoon but were hugely unfortunate to be defeated by a single first half goal to nil at Bridgwater. 

 

On another warm afternoon at the rustic setting of Middlezoy Rovers FC, the hazy heat and hay bales on the horizon provided a relaxing backdrop to a high tempo game. The hosts had recorded an excellent 3-0 victory at Bristol Rovers Memorial Ground on opening day but seemed to find United a tougher proposition as the away side started on the front foot. Summer signing Poppy Dearlove saw an early effort on goal deflected wide before Jasmine Read was the first of the two ‘keepers forced into a save as she dealt well with a Dearlove effort following a pass from Magpies captain Simone O’Brien. 

 

A moment of uncertainty in possession cost United two goals in the opening game of the season against Moneyfields and they were made to pay as the otherwise consistent Aaliyah Charles was robbed of the ball which allowed the home side to feed Megan Jarvis, who cut inside a recovering defender to score past Cherry Preisner against the run of play. 

 

United recovered well, with plenty of possession in the Bridgwater half and any number of dangerous balls were delivered into The Robins box but the Magpies were unable to make an opening count. Abbey Hateley forced a good save from Preisner but United were agonisingly close to an equaliser before the break when birthday girl Erin Huntley headed a Katie Akerman free-kick across goal but the ball fell the wrong side of the far post. 

 

The second half saw United continue to dominate and for the most part the game was played out in the Bridgwater defensive third, with plenty of deliveries and set pieces continuing to fly across Read’s box without a Maidenhead player able to get a telling final touch, with the hosts defending superbly getting into their blocks and key clearances. At the death substitute Rosie Hill probably had the clearest chance of the half, firing wide having cut in with only Preisner to beat.  

 

The bottom line is however that United deserved at least a point from the game and will go into Wednesday night’s FAWNL Cup tie at home to Tier 3 Swindon Town in buoyant mood, hoping to create an upset. 

 

Preisner, Vince (sub Wilson ’59), Huntley, Akerman (sub Dover ’83), Dearlove, Charles, Stockton (sub Cechova '79), O’Brien (sub Robertson ’69), Dias (sub Goulden '46), McKeever, Evans, Huntley. Subs not used: Webb, Turner. 

 

 

Manager Dave Kitson: “We're coming away from this seeing it as a missed opportunity......(we) came out for the second half and absolutely battered them from start to finish”. Watch Dave's full interview HERE.