Oxford University 3 v 1 MHC Ladies 1s

Unfortunately some nervous decision-making from the back line within the first couple of minutes, led to the ball being passed straight to the incoming centre forward who was consequently fouled in the D and a penalty stroke awarded. This was just about converted by Oxford, despite a valiant effort from keeper Becky Adlard to take an early lead, 1-0.

However, Maidenhead soon recovered and started to win the 50/50 battles across the pitch. Some strong link play between the team meant that the Oxford defence looked worried for most of the remaining half, with Maidenhead threatening for most of it. Finally the pressure paid off with a short corner being awarded thanks to some great work from midfield duo Lyndsey Harwood and Chantal Hankin. This was duly converted thanks to a slip from the top to Harwood who then fired across and eventually found the stick of Ali Lubbock to equalise right before the stroke of half time.

Maidenhead continued this positive momentum into the second half until a ball crept through the middle of the pitch to leave the Oxford forward once again on a one versus one with keeper, Adlard. Adlard closed her down well at the top of the D and kicked the ball straight back at the forward for it to then hit her foot and creep up her leg before the forward carried on and shot and scored. Despite all the Maidenhead protests neither umpire claimed to have seen the blatant foot and unfortunately the goal stood.

This impacted a Maidenhead side, currently short of confidence and heads went down for a period. However the defence remained strong with Izzy Harris-Evans, Bex Miall and Charley Young all doing a solid job to keep the ball out of the D. Maidenhead started to find gaps within the Oxford defence as the forward line piled on the pressure but just couldn’t seem to find the net.

With five minutes left, Mark Stuart-Thompson decided to take off the keeper, Adlard, and replace with Miall as a kicking back to enable to the team to really pressurise the Oxford side. This was working very well and Oxford struggled to get the ball out of their ‘25’. However an aerial ball managed to find the Oxford forward line bypassing the Maidenhead unit and with just Miall to beat they converted to make it 3-1.

A result that wasn’t justified based on the amount of possession and opportunities created by Maidenhead.

Man of the match: Chantal Hankin and Lyndsey Harwood