Abingdon United Women Development produced one of the best second half performances of the season to come from two goals down against AFC Stoneham, and book their spot in the Chairman's Cup Final, after a 3-2 win at Stoneham Lane.

Travelling with a scaled back squad due to commitments, United began the day with Maisie Moore between the sticks with a backline of Jess Southey, Frida Ives and Izzy Hughes in front of the goalkeeper.

Anaya Gray, Olivia Ward and Lilly Austin made up the midfield, with Beth Hawtin captaining the side alongside them. Mimi Hodges and senior women's top scorer Charlotte Bigmore lead the line for The Yellows.

United were under pressure on the opening exchanges, and had some brilliant defending to thank. A mix up lead to a ball through on goal, but a good recovery from Ives cleared the danger. Jess Southey was also in the right place to deny an open goal for the hosts a minute later.

Lilly Austin was forced to leave the pitch after an injury early on, with Ellis Dyke taking her place.

AFC Stoneham took the lead in the 19 minute. A corner in from the left was fired home in the area, putting United behind in the game.

The Yellows were looking to respond instantly in Eastleigh. Anaya Gray hit a long-range effort but the goalkeeper saved well.

However, it was the hosts who would get the second and double their advantage, with an effort into the top right corner in the 26th minute of the game. A mountain to climb for The Yellows, but importantly time to do it.

Jon Ward and Paul Biddle's side were looking to get back into the game. Good play from Hodges found Hawtin on the edge of the area, but she was unable to keep her effort down.

Maisie Moore kept United in the game in the closing stages of the half. A one-on-one was saved well down to her right, in what would've put the game out of sight.

Hawtin had another effort from close range in the final seconds of the first 45, which was blocked in the six yard area.

Going into the second half, the odds were fully stacked against the travelling Yellows, made a even more difficult task with Ellis Dyke going off injured at halftime. United Development would have to find a way of staying in the Chairman's Cup with just ten players.

Despite the challenges, they were determined to be in that final, and found a way back into the tie in the 51st minute. A ball through from Anaya Gray found Olivia Ward down the left, who struck a left footed effort into the bottom right corner, hitting the post on its way in. 2-1.

From that point on, momentum was with Abingdon. A powerful run down the right from Mimi Hodges allowed the forward to fire across goal, finding Beth Hawtin, who could not quite fire on target. United were knocking on the door.

Whilst they were mounting the pressure, it opened up space at the back, which the hosts were looking to capitalise on. A chance down the left led to a shot at Maisie Moore's front post, with the goalkeeper keeping it out once again.

Hodges was finding lots of space in the final third, creating another opportunity with half hour to play, but she could not keep the effort down.

In the 70th minute, and Mimi would finally get that goal. After brilliant work to win the ball back, Hodges danced past the AFC Stoneham backline, before firing past the goalkeeper, bringing the game level with 20 minutes to go at Stoneham Lane.

United were still required to defend, with the hosts themselves now looking for a winner. Good work from Amelie Sadler saw out heavy pressure in the 75th.

Charlotte Bigmore nearly found the winner with ten minutes to play. The number nine, who had not stopped running for the entire game, found herself through one-on-one, but a good save by the goalkeeper denied a 20th goal of the season for the forward.

Heroics were once again shown by United shot-stopper, Maisie Moore. A ball in from the right found a player in the middle for the hosts, but an incredible stop with her feet by Moore denied a AFC Stoneham winner.

In the 88th minute, United completed a comeback that looked a distant reality at the interval. Charlotte Bigmore's powerful run led to a mistimed challenge in the area, awarding a penalty kick to The Yellows in the closing stages.

Step up Beth Hawtin, who fired into the bottom right corner, giving Abingdon a 3-2 lead, and leading United into the Chairman's Cup Final.

The development side would see the game out, and book a spot in the final with Oxford City, date to be announced in the coming weeks.

An incredible effort from United, and a phenomenal job from Jon Ward and Paul Biddle, who are now into their tenth year of coaching the squad.