Mens 1st XI beat Newbury & Thatcham 2 - 0

Maidenhead recorded their 5th consecutive win in the MBBO 1st League, beating Newbury & Thatcham 2-0. The score line could have been much higher with a number of missed opportunities for both sides. Maidenhead’s performance was not dominant but they did enough for the victory.

Maidenhead managed to avoid the calamitous start of the prior week and kept possession reasonably well. They started with confidence given the difference between the two teams in the league table. Some good moves down the left hand side eventually resulted in the first goal of the game. Alexei Vink was played into the D and, as the keeper charged out, he coolly slipped the ball into the corner, the vice captain getting his second goal in as many league games.

Maidenhead maintained pressure but, as the half wore on, complacency began to creep into their play. Chances continued to be created but the finishing was not clinical and the play became more individual and the structure of the team began to collapse. Newbury gradually came into the game and shortly before the half time whistle they were awarded a penalty stroke, a Newbury striker had rounded the keeper before being fouled by a Maidenhead defender as he went to place the ball into the empty goal. Rush Sawhney produced a great reflex save to keep Maidenhead’s lead as he got his hand to the flick and kept it out.

Maidenhead switched to a 4-4-2 formation to try to get their structure back in the second half. The play remained fairly even but, Maidenhead grabbed a second with a well taken short corner. A strong strike by Paul Brown came off the keeper and flew into the roof of the net. With a two goal cushion, and a little less pressure, Maidenhead began to create some openings but poor finishing let them down a number of times in the D.

Maidenhead’s performance was best summed up in the final 15 minutes of the game as they won a penalty stroke after the ball struck a Newbury player’s foot on the line. Captain Carl Ferrand stepped up to take the stroke only to see the keeper make an excellent save down to his right. A few minutes later another stroke was awarded which was also saved by the Newbury keeper.

Maidenhead produced a number of chances during the game, but poor finishing and poor play in-between these opportunities meant the final score was only 2-0 and the performance was not one which they should have produced against the team second from bottom. However, the three points were essential to keep pressure on league leaders Chiswick and Maidenhead will hope for another victory at home on Saturday.