Hankin and Hughes help Maidenhead secure crucial win over Oxford Hawks 2nds

Chantal Hankin. Photography courtesy of Aaron Keenan - redbeardphotography633

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Maidenhead Women’s first team lifted themselves off the bottom of the bottom of the South-Central Women's Premier Division 1 with a determined 2-1 win over midtable Oxford Hawks 2nds on Saturday.

Maids have been struggling at the wrong end of the table in recent weeks, having won just four of their previous 17 matches heading into this clash.

And the feeling was this was a must-win fixture if they were to dig themselves out of relegation danger this season. They achieved it in dramatic circumstances, with a late goal followed by some even later saves from their keeper Vicky to preserve all three points.

The game began at a relentless pace with both sides battling hard to assert themselves on the other.

The game was evenly matched to begin with, and there were relatively few chances until Maidenhead stepped up the tempo in the second quarter.

They played with real intensity and put Oxford Hawks under real pressure. The hosts also had their moments with Vossy and Maddie making amazing flat stick tackles to relieve pressure.

Despite their sustained pressure, Oxford took the lead just 10 seconds before half-time when they punished a defensive mistake with a clinical finish. The scoreline was incredibly harsh on the visitors who’d been the better team, but they used that sense of injustice to their advantage in the second half.

Their equaliser came from a brilliantly executed short corner routine, with the injection to the top of the D picking out Izzy who fired a dangerous ball across goal for Chantal Hankin to deflect in.

It was a superbly worked set piece and exactly the response Maidenhead needed.

The goal lifted their spirits instantly and belief returned to the side across all areas of the pitch.

Suddenly momentum was with them, and they carried that into the final quarter. Maidenhead grabbed the winner early in the fourth period. A fantastic interception from Edwina in open play turned defence into attack and she fed the ball through for Sarah who showed great composure to slip a pass away from the advancing keeper and into the path of Holly Hughes who tapped home to make it 2-1.

Maids now simply had to manage and negotiate the final few minutes, but this proved anything but straightforward. With five minutes to play they were reduced to nine players following two yellow cards for Nicole Roper and Maddie Dobson in quick succession.

It set up a tense and dramatic finale, but every player remaining on the field dug deep, throwing themselves into tackles and blocks while goalkeeper Vicky was outstanding in the dying minutes, pulling off a series of great saves to secure the points.

The final whistle confirmed a hard-fought win and should give the side real hope for the run in.

It moves them off the bottom and up to 11th above Salisbury ahead of Saturday’s home game with ninth placed Southampton at Altwood School (11.30am start).

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Maidenhead women’s fourth team delivered the standout club performance of the weekend with a commanding 3-0 win over Wallingford 4ths.

The team played with real discipline throughout and had a measure of control over their visitors across all four periods.

From the opening whistle, the team looked sharp and their early momentum was rewarded when several members of the team combined for a well-worked goal.

Once ahead, they settled into their rhythm, interchanging fluidly and stretching their opponents with their running and quick, accurate passing.

The half-time whistled provided the chance for a much-needed reset for the visitors, who put Maidenhead under significant pressure early in the third period.

But the home side remained resolute, and their tenacity across the pitch paid off when a high press led to a clinical steal and a shot from the top of the D which flew into the net.

The match was effectively sealed with 10 minutes remaining when Amy clinically slotted home the final goal. She was later named player of the match.

It was an impressive performance which highlighted the team’s cohesion and growth. They’ll now be looking to finish their campaign on a high.