Maidenhead United Women v Sutton United Women
Game three, a pre-season friendly and a journey to Cox Green School to see one of the core teams I’ll be following this season in Maidenhead United. Always good to catch up with Ed, Neil and the ladies there and I also had the added pleasure of chatting with Micky Parker, one of the Bracknell Town legends from back in the day.
The weather was pleasant for a change as the Magpies welcomed a Sutton United side to the all-weather surface at Cox Green, a team they played out an epic Women’s FA Cup encounter with in November last year with Maidenhead just edging a thriller which ended 4-3 after extra time.
The first half was a very cagey affair, both teams playing an effective pressing game which meant chances were few and far between. The hosts looked a little tentative in the opening 45 minutes but still managed to force a couple of good chances, both well saved by Sutton keeper Marnie Humphries.
The visitors had what seemed to be a good shout for a penalty when Magpies keeper Kenny Clarke got caught with the ball at her feet and looked to have pulled down the Sutton forward but the referee thought otherwise, adjudging the U’s player to be the perpetrator and giving the free kick to the hosts.
Maidenhead did have the ball in the net when Simone O’Brien looked to have beaten the offside trap and found Aleasha Lunn on the left who curled a beauty into the top corner from outside the box, only for the referee’s assistant to flag for offside.
H-T: Maidenhead United 0 Sutton United 0
The hosts started well in the second half, playing some nice one touch football and moving the ball forward a lot quicker, with Sutton being on the back foot with Humphries again making a smart stop diving to her left from a snap shot from the edge of the box.
There still wasn’t much between the teams with Sutton trying to hit the Magpies on the break. They did win a couple of corners which Clarke claimed well. Finally the deadlock was broken and it was a freak goal that did it. Second half substitute Macey Nikiah-Walters having a goal bound shot blocked which resulted in the ball looping high up towards the goal which Humphries misjudged and the ball ended up dipping into the net. 1-0
Maidenhead were now on top with Lunn again hitting a fine effort which Humphries was equal too before Nikiah-Walters settled matters, firing a fierce shot past the helpless keeper and into the roof of the net to double their lead. 2-0
F-T: Maidenhead United 2 Sutton United 0
This turned out to be another tight competitive game which will have been a good run out for both teams. Some interesting trialists on show, some of whom made a good impression. For Maidenhead Kenny Clarke had a good game, showing good hands claiming crosses and will be happy with a clean sheet. Freya Meadows Tuson was another who stood out, Aleasha Lunn looked strong and was always a danger on the left flank and Macey Nikiah-Walters made a difference when she came on.
For Sutton, Marnie Humphries made several important saves and looks a good keeper. The stand out for me today was Zoe Walters in defence, always looked calm and in control of every situation, covered the back line well and seems to be a good reader of a game.
All the best to both teams in their respective leagues this season. I’m sure I’ll touch base with Maidenhead several times during the season and as I haven’t yet been to the Sutton United ground, I may just turn up there at some point this season to catch up!
Photo courtesy of Andrew Batt, to see his gallery from this game click on the button below.