Moneyfields began their FA Women’s National League (FA WNL) Cup campaign in Group E with a 0-0 draw at the Racecourse Ground against newly promoted FA WNL South West side Ascot United.
Despite dominating possession and peppering the Ascot goal throughout both halves, Karl Watson’s side were unable to find the breakthrough, leaving both teams to settle for a point.
The group’s other fixture sees AFC Bournemouth host Bournemouth Sports on Wednesday evening, at the Ringwood Community Hub.
First Team Manager, Karl Watson, made seven changes to the team that beat Bridgwater United 3-1 in Sunday’s league opener.
Mia King was handed her first competitive start in goal and marked it with a clean sheet. Fellow summer signings Daisy Beard and Tierney Scott also came into the XI, while Hannah Haughton, Rose Sitarz, and Shannon Albuery dropped to the bench.
Further changes saw Bekah Tonks, Kiera Heslam, Gemma Simmonds, and Brooke Garcia come in for Skye-Louise Granger, Britt Jeal, Meg Fox, and Beth Burgess.
Moneyfields carved out the first clear opportunity when Garcia collected the ball with her back to goal just outside the box, but her low strike was deflected wide for a corner.
Captain Ali Hall then forced a superb save, her long-range effort tipped over brilliantly by Ascot keeper Chloe Donnellan. The best chance of the half fell to Heslam, whose free kick thundered against the post.
Ascot grew into the contest as the half wore on, and forward Molly Gladwell broke through one-on-one, only to be denied by King, ensuring the game remained level at the interval.
Watson shuffled things for the second half, replacing Simmonds with Granger, which pushed Tonks into a holding midfield role alongside Amber Howden in central defence.
The visitors started the second half brightly, creating two quick chances, but Ascot—who had grown into the game before the interval—held firm.
Further substitutions followed as Garcia and Olivia Venditto made way for Fox, who had scored twice on Sunday, and Sitarz. Heslam reverted to left-back, while Dream Surin switched to the right flank.
Moneyfields continued to push late on and looked certain to win it in stoppage time, but Ascot goalkeeper Chloe Donnellan produced a remarkable triple save in the 90th minute to keep the scores level.
Full time: Ascot United 0-0 Moneyfields
Moneyfields XI: King (GK), Surin, Howden, Tonks, Venditto (Sitarz 55’), Heslam, Simmonds (Granger 45’), Hall (C), Garcia (Fox 53’), Beard (Burgess 71’), Scott.
Subs not used: Haughton (GK), Aldridge, Albuery.
Booking: Granger 50’.
Ascot United XI: Donellan (GK), Curr, Cox, Huntley, Wort (C), Maxted, Dearlove, Delaney, Harney, Fox, Gladwell.
Subs: Carter, Luscombe, Balaam, Machado, Dias, Rowntree.
