Yellawomen triumph 3-2 to move fifth
Ascot United became the highest-ranked Women’s football team in Berkshire for the first time in their history with a comeback win at Maidenhead United on Sunday. Trailing 2-1 at the break and out-of-sorts, Andy Cox’s side moved up a gear after the break to seal a victory that propelled them above their hosts and into fifth.
Battle of Berkshire’s best – but who will come out on top?
This was a first competitive league meeting between two sides separated by nine miles of road, and since Reading FC’s demise in recent times this was a match-up between the county’s top two sides.
And, Ascot knew that a victory at York Road would take them above their more illustrious neighbours in a tightly packed division where two points separated fourth to eleventh; The Magpies one point better off than The Yellawomen.
Hosts lead twice, and crucially into the break
Maidenhead would open the scoring in the sixth minute when Ines Cipriano made her physical presence count before turning into space and slotting into the bottom right-hand corner from a close, central position.
After toiling, Ascot finally got a foothold in the game and enjoyed their best three chances inside a four-minute block.
Firstly, Mia Delaney headed Alice Curr’s deep cross wide albeit under pressure from the home defence – 15 minutes played – before Beth Lloyd lobbed wide from an improbably tight angle after Bella Cox’s superb tackle and pass had teed her up.
But when Lloyd got another sight of goal in the 19th minute here was a predictable outcome. Cox’s direct free kick had cannoned back to the edge of the area, and the club captain lashed home to restore parity.
But The Magpies restored their lead seven minutes before the break when Katie Ackerman outmuscled Curr – who was incensed at the decision having felt as if she was pushed – and beat Cherry Preisner with a well-taken effort from a tight angle.
Substitutes make an impact in better second half
Half-time substitutes Hattie Kettle and Jacey Lane were key to Ascot’s recovery in the second half, with the former helping stabilize her side’s defence, and she would be voted supporters’ player of the match.
But it was Poppy Dearlove and Delaney who combined for the leveller three minutes into the half; Dearlove’s twice-taken free kick from near the corner flag was headed home by Delaney form close-range.
Delaney then stabbed inches wide on the hour mark after Cox’s corner was flicked on, but the turnaround was complete in the 73rd minute when Cox set Lane free, and she kept her composure after racing clear to slot into the bottom left-hand corner.
Preisner made an important block five minutes from time – racing from her line – but that was as worrying as it for the travelling faithful, who celebrated another win.
Ascot United: Preisner, Curr (Kettle), Cox, Huntley, Wort, Maxted, Dearlove (Balaam), Fox, Lloyd (Dias), Delaney (Machado), Gladwell (Lane).
Entertainment: 3
Reporter’s Star Player: Hattie Kettle (Ascot United)
Attendance (estimate): 180 (40 away)