Derby drama as Ascot United come from behind to sink Maidenhead United

Photo credit: Darren Woolley

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Maidenhead United Women 2, Ascot United Women 3

Ascot United Women’s solid start to the season continued at the expense of Maidenhead United Women at York Road on Sunday as the Yellas claimed the bragging rights in the Berkshire derby.

The two sides had made a similar start to their respective FA Women’s National League Division 1 South West campaigns, with the Magpies having gone three league matches unbeaten ahead of the visit of the Yellas to York Road.

After going down to a heavy defeat at Swindon Town Ladies on the opening day, the Magpies had responded well to draw with Keynsham at home and Bridgwater United away with a thumping win over Worthing sandwiched in between.

In Katie Akerman they also had a player in rich goalscoring form following her double in the 3-0 win over Worthing and late penalty in a 1-1 draw at Bridgwater last Sunday.

The Magpies came away from that match feeling slightly aggrieved not to have taken all three points and looking to bounce back with a home victory over an Ascot side who were promoted to this level only last season.

However, Ascot have shown already this season they have the qualities to compete at this level, and they showed great character to come from behind at half-time to seal their first away win. It was also their second league win on the spin in the league after last weekend’s 1-0 win over Portishead Town.

It took the Magpies only five minutes to forge ahead with Ines Cipriano firing home her first of the season. However, their lead was a precarious one, and Ascot drew level in the 19th minute when a free kick was only half cleared to the edge of the area and Beth Lloyd fired a bullet of a shot past Mia Smith.

Momentum swung back the Magpies way in an entertaining first half when Akerman muscled her marker off the ball and curled home a second for the hosts in the 38th minute. It was her fifth in four matches in all competitions and Dave Kitson would have hoped his charges would build on that advantage in the second half.

However, Ascot weren’t prepared to roll over without a fight and they caused more problems for the Magpies from a set piece in the 49th minute. Dearlove swung the ball into the area and Delaney rose well to nod the ball past Smith.

Smith then conceded a third goal on her debut as Ascot hit the front for the first time in the match in the 74th minute.

Lane raced onto a good through ball from the Yellas and kept her composure to slot the ball past the Maidenhead keeper.

The result sees the Yellas move above the Magpies to fifth in the table while Maidenhead drop to seventh.

Kitson’s side are in FA Women’s National League Cup group action at home to the Chelsea Academy on Sunday (2pm at York Road) before getting back to league action at second placed Moneyfields on Sunday, October 12.

In between those games, the Magpies will also host Worthing in the third round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup at York Road on Sunday, October 5 (2pm kick-off).

Ascot host last season’s Division 1 South West champions AFC Bournemouth in the FA Women’s National League Cup group stages on Sunday before welcoming Bridgwater United to the Racecourse Ground on Sunday, October 12.

There was also delight for the Magpies’ development team on Sunday. Having reached the semi-final of the FA Women’s National League Cup competition last year, the Devs are at it again, progressing past Moneyfields in the Reserve League Cup on penalties after a 2-2 draw away from home. Alina Kerl and Chloe Matmuja grabbed the Magpies goals to take the match to spot-kicks.