Maidenhead United Women forced to go back to the drawing board after defeats

Maidenhead United Women have demonstrated in recent weeks that confidence is a fragile thing. Having defeated Selsey 9-0 in the Plate competition just under a fortnight ago, a couple of heavy defeats in the league since has Ed Jackson-Norris’s side going back to the drawing board ahead of a run of cup matches.

United have faced all of the current top three sides in their division in their last four FAWNL outings, of which they have lost all four having made a promising start to the campaign. Promotion favourites Exeter City came to York Road last Sunday afternoon having been denied promotion only on goal difference last season and they demonstrated their attacking prowess by going in a half time three up. United showed their battling spirit by notching through an Izzy Stockton penalty and Megan Halfacree’s goal direct from a corner but the Grecians responded each time and the side with a 100% league record this season who have scored at least five goals in six of their eight league and cup fixtures this season ran out winners by six goals to two.

United were back in action on Wednesday night in a relatively ‘local’ derby against Swindon Town at Melksham Town FC. In torrential Wiltshire rain the Magpies made a rotten start against an in-form side, conceding a headed goal from a corner to Robins captain Georgia Cliford within ninety seconds of kick off. Thereafter, United played some composed, passing football on a good surface and were the equals of their hosts in terms of possession. However, two goals inside sixty seconds before the half hour mark scored by Ellie Strippel – with United struggling to defend crosses – put the result beyond doubt, just a matter of minutes after highly-rated Town ‘keeper McGrogan pulled off a miraculous save to deny Magpies top-scorer Simone O’Brien what looked to be a certain equalizer.

Into the second period, United continued to play composed and neat football but a great strike from Swindon forward Annie Colston with just under twenty minutes left to play defeated debutant Magpies ‘keeper Rosie Wilmott-Joyce all ends up, giving the scoreline a very harsh look. United now have a run of successive weeks in cup action, with the Berks & Bucks Cup tie at Abingdon United to come this Sunday afternoon (2pm) before further away trips in the FA Cup and FAWNL Plate to come before the end of the month.

One bonus from Wednesday night’s game was a debut for youngster Freya Harris. Having scored in both of the Development team’s most recent games, Freya was the twelfth teenager to play First Team football under Jackson-Norris this season. Freya’s Development Team teammates will have a home game in the FAWNL Reserve League South East & Central against on Sunday 15th October against Rugby Borough. The match at Holyport FC will kick off at 2pm and admission will be £2 for adults and £1 for concessions.