Mens 1st XI beat British Airways 6 - 1

Maidenhead bounced back from last week’s defeat with a convincing 6-1 victory over bottom club British Airways. With Eastcote beating Chiswick in the top of the table clash the league still seems up for grabs, with 6 points separating the top three teams, and Maidenhead still with a game in hand.

BA’s form has dropped dramatically from last season and the odds were always against them as they could only field a team of 10 players. Maidenhead sensed an opportunity to improve their goal difference but they were again guilty of a sloppy start. Possession was given away cheaply in midfield and BA broke quickly. The defence seemed to have done enough, forcing the striker to a difficult angle. However, his reverse stick shot found the bottom corner of the goal and Maidenhead found themselves 1-0 down early on.

The response was almost immediate. Maidenhead went straight down the other end finding man of the match Pat Knight through on goal. He clinically lifted it over the keeper for the equaliser. Maidenhead continued to press and soon went ahead when a strange short corner, which the BA players thought had been stopped by the referee, was put away by Paul Brown.

The second half saw Maidenhead dominate the game as the extra man really started to play a part. They quickly extended their lead when Dan Bradley broke down the right and slipped the ball to Tim Nott in the D. His fierce shot was well saved by the keeper, who was almost beaten for pace, but the rebound was put straight back in by Robbie Paul. Within a few minutes Maidenhead had a fourth; Tim Nott got a touch to a cross to divert it into the path of Pat Knight for an easy tap in.

Pat completed his hat-trick when he found himself in the right place for another tap-in. The game was rounded off when Dan Reid did well in the D to make space for himself and smash the ball past the dejected BA keeper.

Maidenhead continue to push for promotion with the attack coming into form at just the right time. Next week captain Ferrand’s team take on second place Eastcote in what could be the decisive game of the season.