With no less than seven first team players making themselves unavailable the Reserves were down to bare bones numbers wise and faced the daunting prospect of one of the favourites for promotion, Wealdstone
However the young side, which contained six teenagers, excelled themselves with by far their best performance of the season narrowly going down to a goal in each half
The first period was pretty much one way traffic as the Middlesex side launched wave after wave of attack but the United back line were immense showing maturity beyond their years to thwart the advancing hoards
Keeper Kerry Naisbitt pulled off a number of good saves but the belief and work ethic of the fledgling back four was outstanding. Harriet Long and Jen Smith at full back and Elise Devanney and Michaela Scales in the middle played out of their skins and showed that the club’s future is in good hands
The only blemish of the half came on twenty minutes when the visiting striker, in a suspiciously offside looking position, gave Naisbitt no chance with a low drive
However, after absorbing all the pressure it was the Ducks who came closest to snatching an equaliser right on the stroke of half time
Long’s lobbed cross bounced kindly for Charlotte Knight, but the striker’s thumping volley sailed just wide
Unfortunately just after the break the visitors doubled their lead when a shot come cross looped over Naisbitt’s head and under the crossbar
But this setback galvanised United, Captain Zoe Brown and Knight had long range efforts saved before Jen Smith went on a mazy run only to see her effort blocked by the keeper
Kayleigh Johnston’s whipped cross just evaded Cheryl Chappell’s reach shortly afterwards before keeper Naisbitt came close to scoring with a drop kick from her own area
Despite the defeat this was a mightily heartening performance from a very inexperienced and somewhat makeshift team but if they can keep up this level of performance over the coming weeks they must surely add to their points tally in the league.