A cold day for the Maidenhead Ladies 1s
A competitive game against a young Surbiton side
Maidenhead dropped a vital three points against Surbiton 2s leaving them seven points adrift of current league leaders, Barnes with five games left in the season.
Despite the freezing cold conditions, Maidenhead began the game strongly making sure they pressed from the whistle and hassled for possession across the pitch. Surbiton struggled to react to Maidenhead’s aggressive start and found themselves on the backfoot.
A few early chances were denied by some outstanding saves from the Surbiton keeper. Maidenhead continued to stay composed and work the ball around the team to create various chances but the ball just wouldn’t go in the back of the net. The midfield battled hard with Lyndsey Harwood, Emma Evans and Shona Young all piling on the pressure. Carole Easter was also solid at the back preventing any attacks going down the wing.
Surbiton had a couple of chances up the other end when they managed to break away but the defence and keeper Daisy Ruhle prevented any real threat until just before half time. A Maidenhead attack was thwarted and Surbiton immediately sent the ball up the other end for them to take the lead.
The goal before half time seemed to lift Surbiton and the second half started very differently with the visitors stepping it up another gear. They began to play some good passing hockey and Maidenhead couldn’t seem to get back into their rhythm. With around fifteen minutes left Surbiton scored a second and the home side couldn’t see a way back. Maidenhead continued to create chances but they hit the post, went wide or the keeper saved them. It wasn’t to be their day and the result remained 0-2 to Surbiton.
Coach Jane Smith said: “It is very disappointing that we were unable to take some points from this game and stay in the hunt for the title. It was a very competitive game against a young Surbiton side. We were unfortunately a victim of not taking our chances when we needed to but I am pleased with the spirit we showed and we continued our fight to the very end.”
MOM: Carole Easter