United Ladies picked up their first ever piece of senior silverware on Sunday in dramatic style with a nerve-wrenching penalty shoot out victory over Wolverton Wasps.
After almost three hours substitute Laura Warmbier stepped up and coolly slammed home the winning spot kick just seconds after coming onto the pitch. Jubilant scenes followed as players and supporters alike celebrated the win in one of the most tense but entertaining finals you could imagine.
The Ducks had made a promising start to the afternoon and scored after just five minutes. Laura Gardner's through ball was picked up by the in form Nicola Hunt who made no mistake with the game's first real opening.
The lead didn't last long though as Wolverton levelled with their first foray forwards. A speculative free kick thirty yards out, dipped at the last moment and caught young Georgia Smith in the Aylesbury goal off guard.
Kerry Naisbitt had a shot saved before the Wasps found themselves ahead in bizarre circumstances. A hopeful looking cross from the right evaded everyone and ended up in the back of the net, much to the bemusement of even the scorer.
The goal spurred United on though and shortly before the half hour mark Hannah Franklin went close after being played through by Gemma Butterfield.
Aylesbury didn't have to wait long for the equaliser however as two minutes later Nicola Hunt capitalised on some hesitancy in the Wolverton defence to slide the ball home.
The Ducks had two gilt edged chances before the break as Lucy Ilic's pass found Nicola Hunt and the agile striker was denied a hat-trick by a good save from the keeper. The rebound fell to Hannah Franklin and her effort went just wide.
Minutes later Hunt again went broke free of the defence only to be thwarted by a last gasp diving challenge by the Wolverton number one.
The second half followed a similar pattern with both teams creating chances for themselves. Catriona Cameron, the bustling midfielder, had two chances, both of which were saved, whilst at the other end Georgia Smith was in good form, holding onto everything that was thrown at her.
As the half drew to a close Kerry Naisbitt had a free kick well saved before a scuffle in the middle of the park saw Laura Gardner and the Wolverton captain unnecessarily booked in a game which had been played in a tremendous spirit.
The heat took it's toll as chances became fewer and the match almost inevitably went into extra time. And within a minute of the additional period starting United were behind.
A mistimed tackle on the edge of the box by Beth Harris resulted in a penalty from which the Milton Keynes side made no mistake.
As the temperature increased the Ducks incredibly still managed to find the reserves of energy needed to get back into the game.
The fresh legs of substitute Sakura Fachiri made space on the right and her cross was expertly spooned in on the turn by Hannah Franklin. The green shirts all turned away to celebrate not realising that the linesman's flag was being held aloft. The referee went to consult his assistant and after what seemed like an eternity Mr Hey blew his whistle and pointed to the centre circle, indicating that the goal would stand.
The tension was unbelievable as both sides attempted to close the game out ahead of the dreaded penalty shoot out. Hannah Franklin had the Ducks best chance but her shot went wide.
In an unfortunate finale, with just thirty seconds remaining, player of the match Gemma Franklin went down after appearing to have turned on her ankle. An ambulance was called and play was suspended for over twenty minutes as the Aylesbury left back was forced to retire from the match in absolute agony.
Once play resumed there was barely time for replacement Laura Warmbier to take to the field before the final whistle sounded.
Wolverton missed their first two kicks, whilst United started perfectly with both Nicola Hunt and Laura Gardner netting. But once again there was a dramatic twist in store as the Wasps then scored their remaining three kicks with Lucy Ilic and Kerry Naisbitt being unsuccessful for United.
Hannah Franklin powered her spot kick into the net to level and when the sixth Wolverton penalty was missed some of the Aylesbury players, miscounting the score, celebrated prematurely.
This added to the pressure of the moment as unassuming substitute Laura Warmbier stepped forward to take her kick. The young defender hadn't even touched the ball in the brief seconds she was on the pitch but in almost effortless style she drilled home her spot kick and was quickly engulfed by her team mates.
Captain Sarah Gerrard lifted the trophy aloft as the sun blazed across the dusty Beaconsfield pitch. This was United Ladies first ever senior silverware and the celebrations continued long after the match finally ended.
