Akerman strikes again but Maidenhead United Women are outgunned by Dons

Photo credit: Darren Woolley

--

Wimbledon 6, Maidenhead United Women 1

Maidenhead United Women’s encouraging start to the season hit a fork in the road on Sunday afternoon as the Magpies bowed out of the FA Women’s National League Cup following a heavy defeat to AFC Wimbledon.

Dave Kitson’s Magpies would have been braced for a tough test against Tier 3 side Wimbledon at Tooting & Mitcham’s ground; however, they’d have hoped to be more competitive in this one-off clash.

It was a difficult day for everyone in black and white, but particularly goalkeeper Kody Cornish, who was forced off through injury, having made a solid start to the campaign.

Katie Akerman’s free kick was one of the few positives for the Magpies as Wimbledon’s Elleanor Dorey and Lola Cotter both scored twice for the hosts.

Akerman continued her scoring form for Kitson and Sean Hillier’s side, having netted twice in their impressive 3-0 league win over Worthing at York Road the previous Sunday.

However, Dorey fired the home side in front after only seven minutes and capped the scoring for Wimbledon with the sixth in second half stoppage time. In between times, Daisy Leigh Dawn McLachlan scored their second goal, Cotter grabbed their third just before the interval and further goals from Ashlee Hincks (55) and Cotter again made the tie safe for Wimbledon.

The first team will look to bounce back at Bridgwater United on Sunday afternoon (September 14). United currently sit sixth in the Division 1 South West table following their victory over Worthing and 1-1 draw with Keynsham Town, however, they’re yet to win away from home after losing to Swindon Town Women in their opening game and suffering Sunday’s heavy reverse in the cup.

Meanwhile, Chris Maynard’s new look Women’s Development team battled hard in a 3-1 defeat to QPR at York Road on Sunday.

United levelled the game in the first half when Sofia Allen capitalised on an under hit back pass and skipped through to score with a mature finish.

A second half Rangers penalty and a late third deprived Maidenhead of a point.

Maynard said: "I felt we demonstrated real character and resilience, especially with a few key decisions going against us.

“We kept pushing to get ourselves back in the game and created moments to do just that, but today just couldn’t find the finishing touches.

“We pick ourselves up and we look forward to Ipswich next week, where I’m sure if we can replicate that performance we can put points on the board."

The Development team make a long trip around the M25 to take on Ipswich.