Maidenhead United Women fall short as Ascot United claim historic cup win

Maidenhead United 1, Ascot United 2

Maidenhead United Women fell just short in their endeavour to lift back-to-back Berks & Bucks Senior Cups after losing 2-1 in the final to Ascot United Women yesterday afternoon (Sunday).

Dave Kitson’s side were looking to lift silverware for the first time in his tenure as manager and defend the trophy they won last season when they got the better of Newport Pagnell Town 3-1.

But it wasn’t to be. Despite their best efforts in difficult conditions Ascot were more clinical with the opportunities that came their way at Beaconsfield Town’s Holloways Park.

 In sealing the win, Ascot were crowned Berks & Bucks Senior Cup champions for the very first time.

In truth there was little to choose between these league rivals, who’d played out a 1-1 draw in the league at the Racecourse Ground just seven days previously.

Maidenhead fell behind shortly before the half-hour mark in frustratingly preventable circumstances. Ascot’s Bella Cox whipped in a corner kick, and it sailed over everyone in the penalty area and into the back of the net.

 The Maidenhead keeper Kenny Clarke tried to punch the ball away but ended up injured in her goal mouth after taking a knock as she fell to the ground. The officials felt there was no obvious foul on her as she attempted to clear the ball and Molly McKeever’s best efforts to clear the ball off the goal line were also in vain with the ball clearly having crossed the line.

Ascot held onto that lead through to half-time, despite coming under pressure from the Magpies and then managed to extend their advantage through Erin Huntley in the 72nd minute.

 Again, the goal came from a set piece. The ball whipped in from the right and although Clarke made a fine low save to keep out the initial header at the back post, the ball fell kindly for Huntley to fire into the net and make it 2-0.

Huntley’s goal gave Kitson’s side too much to do in the closing minutes, but they did manage to squeeze home a consolation goal through Lyndsey Preston deep into stoppage time.

 With the rain now driving down, Preston cut in from the right and fired a low left footed shot beyond the keeper at her near post to make it 2-1.

Ascot defended with real composure as the Magpies desperately tried to rescue a draw in the closing minutes, but, if anything, Ascot came closer to extending their lead with Clarke having to make a fine late save to prevent it from becoming 3-1.

The full-time whistle sounded soon afterwards to ensure a brand-new name would be engraved onto the county cup trophy.

Despite the disappointment there is still much for Kitson to be encouraged by this season. His side are on the verge of registering their best-ever points haul at this level and possibly also their highest league finish.

They’ll have to now put this behind them as they look to finish their FA Women’s National League Division 1 South West campaign with a flourish. The fifth placed side are due to visit sixth placed Abingdon United on Wednesday evening before hosting second bottom Portishead Town on Sunday (2pm kick-off).

 They currently have a couple more points than Abingdon but would be overtaken by their hosts should they lose on Wednesday, so there is plenty at stake in that clash as they look to bounce back positively from their cup disappointment. 

Cup Final Coverage | The final is also being broadcast by @fc_video ️ https://t.co/trZ7F1JDLI

— Maidenhead United Women (@mufcyorkroadwfc) March 15, 2026