Jackson-Sankey hoping Magpies can redress the balance against Swindon Town

Maidenhead United Women manager Ed Jackson-Sankey is looking to redress the balance when his side plays Swindon Town at York Road in the FA Women’s National League tomorrow evening (Thursday), 7:45pm kick-off.

Swindon managed a first away victory of the season on Sunday when they claimed the points against out-of-form Portishead Town thanks to goals from Meg Attenborough, Annie Colston and Emison Evans before Ellie Strippel scored a consolation for the Somerset club who have now lost eight in a row in all competitions.

In the reverse fixture against the Magpies back in October, goals from Helena Diaz-Butcher, Rebecca Donnelly and Natalie Goodright earned Swindon a comfortable win, however, the Magpies should be a very different proposition this evening, coming into the game off the back of three straight victories.

United performed well on the night - and had more shots on goal than Swindon - but the side was still adjusting to life under new boss Jackson-Sankey.

He recalls that match as the night things 'started to click' for his hard-working side.

The Magpies manager also paid tribute to his team’s fitness levels, which have improved exponentially since those early weeks of the season.

The head coach held a couple of light training sessions this week, with no game scheduled last weekend, as they prepare for this week's home fixtures against Swindon this evening and Moneyfields on Sunday, 2pm kick-off.

The side are now up to eighth in the table and have given themselves an excellent chance of survival following those wins over Larkhall Athletic, Selsey and Portishead.

As for the match against Swindon, Jackson-Sankey expects a 'direct approach' from the visitors.

“They have perhaps the best front three in the league, despite their mid-table position, and Colston through the middle is also a quality player,” he said.

United will need to put their York Road bogey to bed if they are to pick up another crucial three points.

United’s only ‘home’ win of the season so far came at Burnham's 1878 Stadium, where Portishead were put to the sword 5-1 at the end of January.

Ed admits that it will be good to have some familiar faces backing the team on Thursday night and Sunday afternoon.

“We haven’t won a game at York Road since December 2021,” he said.

“So we want to put that record to bed.

“The guys really enjoy playing there and now we want a result to back it up. It would be great to have a big crowd in getting behind us.”

After Swindon’s visit, United’s home venue for Sunday afternoon’s 2pm kick off with be Arbour Park, Slough, as they welcome a Moneyfields side Jackson-Sankey believes can compete with the 'Cardiffs, Exeters and Bournemouths of this division'.

“Their style will be slightly different to Swindon, and we will prepare and adapt accordingly,” he added.

Admission at York Road tonight and Arbour Park on Sunday is by cash only at the turnstiles, adults pay £5 with concessions (over 65s) priced at £3 and under 16s at £1. Maidenhead United Season Ticket holders will gain free admission on presentation of their season card.