Penalty perfection: Akerman snatches deserved point for dominant Magpies at Bridgwater

Katie Akerman. Photo: Darren Woolley

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Katie Akerman’s late penalty helped Maidenhead United pick up their first away point of the Division 1 South West season on Sunday as the Magpies came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw at Bridgwater United.

Despite falling behind in the closing stages and having to rescue the match from the penalty spot, this was a match the Magpies dominated from the outset, and only an inspired display from Bridgwater keeper Charlotte Johnson prevented the visitors from taking all three points.

This was another encouraging display from Dave Kitson’s side and means they’re now three games unbeaten in the league following their draw with Keynsham Town and victory over Worthing at York Road.

Manager Kitson reflected on a ‘fantastic performance’ in his post-match interview and said he was proud of the team’s ‘determination to take what they deserved from the game’.

He’ll be looking for a similar performance - and possibly an even better result - when the Magpies welcome Ascot United to York Road next Sunday.

Tickets for the clash are £5 for adults, £2 concessions with MUFC Gold Members able to attend for free on the presentation of their membership card.

The Magpies now sit fifth in the table after only four matches, but they’ll feel they’ve been the better team in three of those games and have only lost once in the league, on the opening day away to current leaders Swindon Town.

For the second match in a row, the Magpies came up against a resilient defence backed up by an inspired goalkeeper in Johnson.

In the teeming rain, the visitors made a strong start to the match with Johnson pulling off an astonishing triple save inside the first five minutes. Simone O’Brien was denied on the turn and the loose ball seemed destined to be prodded home by Megan Harper, only for Johnson to somehow parry the ball away before then clawing another attempt behind for a corner.

At the other end, Amy Whale was forced into a good stop, pushing the ball onto the post and then diving on the rebound in difficult wet conditions.

Aside from that Maidenhead were largely on the front foot in Somerset.

Aaliytah Charles saw a shot whistle narrowly wide before Harper had a first-time effort gathered by the faultless Johnson.

A wicked cross from the excellent Chloe Webb narrowly evaded the outstretched boot of Harper prior to the break.

O’Brien was denied by another incredible save from Johnson, the keeper denying the Maidenhead captain from almost point-blank range in the second half.

The visitors were then reduced to 10 players for 10 minutes when Webb was sin-binned for dissent - and showing frustration at how things were unfolding for the Magpies.

Still with 10 players, they pressed forward and seconds before Webb was allowed to re-enter the fray, Bridgwater took the lead.

The hosts worked the ball well down the right for Scarlett Mills to stand up a cross to the back post that Steph Beck forced home in the 71st minute.

Teams of lesser character might have succumbed to soggy and undeserved defeat, but Kitson’s side rallied in the closing stages and the Magpies were awarded a penalty when Harper was fouled as she broke into the area.

Akerman - who had earlier seen a free-kick bounce agonisingly away to safety having struck the underside of the bar - held her nerve from the spot to beat Johnson at last with a low shot into the bottom corner.