Maidenhead United vs Andover New Street Ladies at York Road. Photo credit: Darren Woolley

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Maidenhead United are through to the second round of the Women’s FA Cup for only the second time in their history after securing a 3-0 win over Andover New Street Ladies at York Road on Sunday.

Sunday’s match was the women’s team’s 40th FA Cup tie since they were established back in 2008 and their first home tie at this stage since the same year.

To mark the occasion the club offered free family tickets to watch the Magpies as they looked to progress.

Those who took advantage of the offer were treated to a great FA Cup battle between two hard-working teams, but it was Dave Kitson’s Magpies who emerged victorious thanks to goals from Izzy Stockton in the first half and Aaliyah Charles and Leah Robertson late on in the second.

As the higher-level side, Maidenhead were favourites to make it through to the second round, but Andover made them work hard for it.

Magpies captain Simone O’Brien struck the post for the hosts in the early stages, but it took them until the latter stages of the first half for Stockton to flick a header into the back of the net from Katie Akerman’s cross.

The tie remained in the balance until the 80th when Charles doubled the home side’s advantage.

Having seen a close-range effort roll agonisingly past the post in the 87th minute, Robertson then made it 3-0 with a strike from much further out in stoppage time.

Having seen off step 7 side Islington Borough 7-0 in the last round, United once again showed their skill and tenacity against Andover to seal progress to the second round.

They return to league action tomorrow evening (Tuesday) when they visit Ascot United.

Ascot are currently bottom of the FA Women’s National League Division 1 South West, having failed to win any of their first seven matches.

Maidenhead are ninth after an up and down season so far. They were beaten 3-0 at home by Gwalia United in their last match after Stockton had netted a late equaliser to draw 1-1 at home to Marine Academy Plymouth in their previous league match.

After visiting Ascot tomorrow evening, Maidenhead are set to host Lewes in the FA Women’s National League Plate on Sunday, November 1 (2pm kick-off).