Report | Maidenhead United 1-4 Argyle Women
Argyle Women secured their place in the second round of the FA Women’s National League Cup following a 4-1 victory away from home against Maidenhead United.
Goals from Katie Dickson, Ava Kuyken, Charlotte Whitmore and Ellie Sara propelled Argyle to a comfortable victory over the Division One South West side at York Road.
The Greens will find out their second-round opponent following the draw on the evening of Monday, 30 September.
Energy from kick-off was seen immediately, with Ryan Perks' side needing only three minutes to take the lead. Ella Stephens’ forward progress on the right and ball across the six-yard box was met by her opposite flanker Dickson, who tapped home easily.
The rest of the opening 30 minutes was all Argyle. Chance after chance was created by all wearing green, but recovery defending, and a bit of luck, kept Maidenhead in the game.
Whitmore had the opportunity to double the Greens’ lead but could not guide home her effort from within the Maidenhead area. Free-flowing football was on show for all in attendance, however, Dani Hull in the hosts’ goal made several strong saves.
After tidy play on the left just before the half-time whistle, Kukyen picked up the ball inside the box from Stephens' layoff and fired into the bottom corner, doubling Argyle’s lead.
With multiple stoppages in the first 45 minutes, ten additional minutes were filled with continuous pressure from the Greens, most notably through Sara. The forward found clear air in the box but dragged her shot wide of Maidenhead’s goal.
The first major chance of the second half handed Argyle their third goal of the game through Whitmore. A confident pass from Kuyken over the hosts’ defence was met by a charging Whitmore, who finished in off the post past a diving Hull.
Perks turned to his bench and made five changes over the next 15 minutes with Kelsey Blight, Katie Grigg, Erin O’Shea, Fern Orchard and Jess Geach coming onto the pitch.
The home fans had something to cheer about when Amelie Mayani pulled a goal back in the 80th minute but, just three minutes later, Sara’s finish into the back of Maidenhead’s net extended Argyle’s lead back to three and secured their spot in the next round of the cup.
Maidenhead United: 1 Dani Hull, 2 Isacc Gregory, 3 Tia Johnson (9 Izzy Stockton, 45), 6 Emily Norfolk, 8 RJ Jauad-Taborda (11 Ines Cipriano, 45), 12 Ruth Topping, 14 Ella Hughes (7 Macey Walters, 16), 15 Aleasha Lunn (10 Nat Cowell, 36), 16 Katie Akerman, 17 Natasha Rasmussen (capt), 18 Ellie Manners (20 Amelie Mayani, 69). Substitutes: 5 Sarah Thompson.
Goals: Mayani 80
Booked: Gregory 75
Argyle: 56 Comfort Erhabor, 2 Katie Dickson (19 Erin O’Shea, 65), 3 Roxy Thomas, 5 Giota Papaioannou (capt) (25 Jess Geach, 69), 7 Charlotte Whitmore (20 Fern Orchard, 65), 9 Ellie Sara, 15 Georgie Knott (14 Kelsey Blight, 56), 16 Ella Stephens (18 Katie Grigg, 65), 17 Lulu Jarvis, 24 Ava Kuyken, 26 Caitlin Smith. Substitutes: 1 Lily Felgate (gk), 8 Imy Crawford.
Goals: Dickson 3, Kuyken 45, Whitmore 52, Sara 83
Booked: Grigg 88
