An extra fixture a week before Christmas as Actonians travelled to face Maidenhead in the Combined Counties Cup. A few regulars from the squad missing this evening including Jennie, Naomi, Prudie, Camila and Abigail as well as goalkeeper Elisa and captain Mara. Recent new signing Lois partnered Olivia at the back and reserve team goalkeeper Isabelle made the step-up to the first team. A return to the club as well for Anne-Marie who actually played for tonight’s opponents during her time away.

Actonians began with real attacking purpose. Amber had a shot in the 4th minute tipped out for a corner and from the resulting set piece Olivia saw her shot get saved. Jas went close to scoring with 7 mins gone as her shot went narrowly wide. Actonians did find the back of the net in the 12th minute. Amina smashed her shot against the post and Anne-Marie put the rebound away. However the linesman flagged but no-one seemed sure who he saw in an offside position. Jas had a header blocked in the 18th minute and hit a shot wide of the target less than 60 seconds later. However she did score in the 21st minute. Her initial effort was blocked by the keeper but she was able to slot the rebound home to give Actonians the lead. Amina had a shot from outside the area saved with 28 minutes on the clock and her 32nd minute attempt with an overhead kick went wide. Olivia also shot wide in the 35th minute and Hana had her 38th minute effort saved. Then on 42th minutes Amber launched a long free kick into the box which eventually landed in Kat’s path for her to fire home. Halftime 2-0.

Hana had two efforts in the first 10 minutes of the second half to further extend the Actonians lead. One off target and the other on target but saved. Lois had a shot in the 56th minute deflect wide but 2 minutes after that and totally against the run of play Maidenhead pulled a goal back. Hana and Amina both had shots saved in the 64th and 65th minute but arguably the move of the match took place in the 72nd minute. Amina’s backheel sent Jas through the inside left channel towards the 18 yard box and she squared the ball to Hana who made no mistake in finding the target, restoring the Actonians 2 goal lead. As the away side looked to extend their lead Janaye saw her shot go wide in the 84th minute and Mollie had a shot saved 2 minutes later only for Maidenhead to go straight up the other end and get another goal back. The last effort of the game saw Mollie have another shot saved but shortly after the referee blew the final whistle. 3-2 to Actonians.

A close scoreline in the end in a game where Actonians could and probably should have thrashed their opponents. More important though that they got the win and go through to the next round and end 2024 with a victory. A well earned rest for the players and coaching staff before returning to Rectory Park on January 5th when AFC Sudbury are the visitors. Jas looked very lively this evening, always an attacking threat including a goal and an assist and battling back when she needed to and is this evening’s Player of the Match.

Report by Neil Hayward