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Abingdon comeback seals Final spot

AFC Stoneham 2 Abingdon United Development 3

Abingdon United Development reached the final of the Southern Region League Chairman's Cup with a 3-2 win over AFC Stoneham.

Trailing by two at the break, Abingdon defied the odds by playing with ten whilst powering back to win via a late penalty from skipper Beth Hawtin. Stoneham had several good chances to have clinched the match but were undone by fast counter attacks and clinical finishing from the visitors.

 

There was little doubt that Stoneham deserved their interval lead as they had created the majority of the good scoring opportunities in a well contested opening period played at a fast pace . In addition to goals from Mia House and Lucy Bicknell the Purps had created three other decent chances only to be denied by keeper Maisie Moore and some last ditch defending. There was enough of a threat at the other end from Mimi Hodges and Olivia Ward to suggest that the tie was still up for grabs but with injuries to Ellis Dyke and Lilly Austin and no more substitutes, it was hard to imagine it would happen.

 

United had already missed a good chance before Ward reduced the deficit on 51 minutes with a shot in off the post. Hodges levelled the tie with a superb solo effort, winning the ball and driving at the defence before firing past Sian Lodge on 70 minutes.

 

Stoneham responded well to this setback and had three decent chances to regain late control but the finishing touches were lacking whilst Moore made a couple of brave saves to block close range efforts.

 

As a shootout decider loomed, Charlotte Bigmore broke clear on the right and was clipped as she bore down on goal. Hawtin dispatched the resulting spot kick to complete an amazing comeback.

 

Oxford City will be Abingdon's opponents on the 27th April in the Chairman's Cup Final after they defeated Bournemouth Sports Reserves in the other semi final.

AFC Stoneham: Sian Lodge, Summer Goouch, Tiegan Stevens, Imogen Mullins, Pyrena Heath, Eva Kelly, Abbie Awdas, Aimee Gritt, Mia House, Lucy Bicknell, Mia Flood. Subs: Gabrielle Dieujuste, Rebecca Moody, Leah Webster, Kayden Wood.

Abingdon Utd Development: Maisie Moore, Frida Ives, Jeska Southey, Amelie Sadler, Anaya Gray, Isabel Hughes, Beth Hawtin, Charlotte Bigmore, Mimi Hodges, Olivia Ward, Lilly Austin. Subs: Ellis Dyke.

Match report by Patrick Higgins