Maidenhead United Women make history by beating Sutton United to reach FA Cup second round

Credit: Maidenhead United FC

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Sutton United Women 3, Maidenhead United Women 4

Maidenhead United Women are through to the second round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history after battling back from two goals down to beat Sutton United Women 4-3 in extra-time on Sunday evening.

The recent poor weather meant that neither team had played since their respective wins over Richmond & Kew and Sport London E Benfica in the final qualifying round of the competition.

But the two sides served up a hugely entertaining feast of football, with the Magpies prevailing in a hugely competitive clash.

Ed Jackson-Norris's side had to show real character to do so, however, battling back from being 2-0 down early in the second half to claim their spot in the second round. It was also a real team effort, with substitutes and supporters playing their part as the tier four side eventually showed their quality to overcome the challenge of their tier 5 rivals at the VBS Community Stadium.

Maidenhead began reasonably brightly with Nat Cowell forcing an early save from the hosts' keeper, however, their lack of match action in recent weeks was obvious in a frenetic clash that through up plenty of chances for both sides.

Sutton led in the 16th minute when Rosie Willmott-Joyce was beaten by a well-struck free-kick.

Izzy Stockton and Cowell were denied in quick succession around the half-hour mark, however, a second goal from Sutton in the 50th minute appeared to douse the Magpies hopes of reaching the next round.

United have reached this round of the competition on five occasions since being formed 15 years ago, however, on each occasion they'd been eliminated by a side in a higher division. On this occasion, however, they were up against a team from a lower division, and two goals in the space of five second half minutes flipped the tie on its head. First Simone O'Brien struck to get the visitors back into it before Cowell fired home in the 58th minute to draw the Magpies level.

From that point on the Jackson-Norris's side just about had the ascendancy, however, it was still anyone's game. Aleasha Lunn was brought on for Stockton in the 76th minute while Jade Hockey and Ruth Topping had already entered the fray at half-time for Amy Saunders and Vicky Carvill.

Those fresh legs helped the Magpies through to full-time and the first half of extra-time, in which Sutton had a goal ruled out for offside.

In the 106th minute, Imogen Fisher fired home an unstoppable shot into the top corner to hand the Magpies the lead for the first time in the contest. but those celebrations were short-lived as Sutton equalised within a couple of minutes when a high ball into the box wasn't dealt with and the hosts scrambled the ball home to make it 3-3.

But a sensational cup tie deserved a fitting climax and substitute Macey Nikiah-Walters provided it just a minute after coming on for O'Brien in the 110th minute. The forward had barely touched the ball when she scored to make it 4-3 in the 111th minute and United held on to becoming history makers.

Afterwards, boss Jackson-Norris posted on X: “One of the craziest games I've been a part of. So proud of the group - starters, finishers, cheerleaders, coaches, backroom staff and everyone behind the scenes who follows this team - everyone nailed it.

“First Maidenhead team in 137 years in the hat for the FA Cup second round.”

The Magpies were also very complimentary about their hosts Sutton, posting: “Only one team can get through in a cup tie, but Sutton United Women, you were brilliant and a credit to your club.

“Two sets of players gave everything last night. It was fantastic for us to play at an EFL ground too. Best of luck for the rest of the season.”