Shooter lives up to her name as Chelsea Academy hit seven against battling Magpies

Maidenhead’s Megan Harper was a threat for the Magpies in the first half. Photo: MUFC

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Lois Shooter lived up to her name as she and Eva Hendle both scored hat-tricks in Chelsea Academy’s comfortable 7-1 win over Maidenhead United women in the group stages of the National League Cup on Sunday.

It proved a difficult afternoon for the Magpies, even with their loyal York Road supporters behind them, as the game got away from them in the final half hour as Chelsea scored three in quick succession and injury left the hosts down to 10 players.

A tough match was always expected against the academy team to the WSL champions; however, the Magpies competed well until the hour mark, with Izzy Stockton’s goal shortly after the restarted bringing them back into the contest at 2-1.

Chelsea looked the more likely scorers from the outset, and it was no surprise when Hendle fired them ahead in the 20th minute.

United defended diligently, and Mia Smith was forced into several good saves, but they weren’t quite able to hold out until half-time with Shooter adding a second for Chelsea in the 42nd minute.

Kitson and Sean Hillier would have hoped Stockton’s goal just after the restart would galvanise the hosts, and they made a triple substitution shortly afterwards to try and build on that momentum. However, a brace from Shooter in the 62nd and 65th minutes saw her complete her hat-trick and Chelsea take the tie away from Maidenhead.

Hendle netted her second to make it 5-1 in the 69th minute, while the Magpies were then left down to 10 players in the 74th minute when Sarah Sparrow was forced off injured with Kitson having made all his substitutions.

Chelsea needed no further invitation to cash in with Shooter scoring her fourth in the 83rd minute and Hendle completing her hat-trick in the 87th.

Substitute keeper Kody Cornish also pulled off a penalty save in stoppage time to prevent the academy side scoring an eight.

It’s been a disappointing start for the Magpies in the competition, with Kitson’s side having lost all their group matches so far against Actonians, 1-0 at home, AFC Wimbledon, 6-1 away, and Chelsea Academy, 7-1 at home.

It seems unlikely they’ll be able to progress to the knockout rounds from here, but they will have high hopes of advancing in the Women’s FA Cup when they host Worthing at York Road on Sunday (October 5, 2pm kick-off).

Kitson’s side have already triumphed against Worthing in the league this season, winning 3-0 at home with a brace from Katie Akerman and a strike from Macey-Nikiah Walters.

After Sunday’s FA Cup clash, the Magpies return to league action at second placed Moneyfields on Sunday week (October 12). United have only five points from their five matches so far and sit seventh in the table, however, they’ll feel they’re more than capable of chasing down the three sides above them, Bridgwater United, Ascot United and Bournemouth Sports.

Leaders Swindon Town, second placed Moneyfields and Bristol Rovers in third are starting to pull away a little at the top of the Division 1 South West table, but it’s still very much early days.