And the Ladies 1's are off

Maidenhead 1 v 1 Brighton
Maidenhead clinched their first point of the season at home to Brighton in a bottom of the table clash.

As a team they welcomed new signing Sophie Alice-Phipps from neighbouring Slough that is a welcome addition to the squad.

Maidenhead started the game well playing some confident hockey and building on the previous weeks. They passed the ball around between the various lines and enjoyed a majority of the possession. However they were still suffering from the same problem of not being able to convert up front despite various chances being created across the face of goal.

Brighton rarely threatened and when they did the Maidenhead defence looked far superior and they dealt with them confidently.

The second half began with both teams threatening to break the deadlock. Brighton forced several short corners and started to take a bit of an upper hand. Despite Becky Adlard putting in a fine performance between the posts, eventually one of the short corners was fired home. Adlard unable to stop the full force of the shot.

Maidenhead stepped it up a gear in response and started to pile on the pressure. Carole Easter was superb at the back controlling the distribution and spraying the ball around to both flanks. Eventually it was Bex Miall that intercepted at half way line and passed a perfect ball down the left side for Libby Brookes to pick up. She turned the opponent and then some short, succinct passing to Lyndsey Harwood then on to Chantal Hankin in the D. She cleverly drove at the keeper, drawing the defence before simply slipping to her left where Ali Lubbock was unmarked, who then slotted the ball home to equalise.

With just five minutes remaining neither team had a clear opportunity to finish it off so the result remained a draw, 1-1.

Mom: Carole Easter