Maidenhead U14 V Marlow U14 EH league

Despite the final score-line, there were, in fact, many positives to come out of today’s local derby…especially in our first half performance.

At the break we were only 1-0 down against a strong well-drilled Marlow team. Their goal come as early as the fourth minute when a short corner strike flew high past our goalie, Maddie’s outstretched left glove.

But, while it is fair to say we had plenty of defending to do in the opening period, the team settled well, held their positions and soaked up the pressure. Maddie made some good blocks, Zara and Harriet formed a strong central defence partnership and wing-backs Amber and Anna regularly repelled attacks down the flanks.

Getting out of defence was proving a harder job however. We struggled against their press and when we did get on the ball and looked threatening on the break we drew the tackle too often rather than send the pass into space. Still, with the pace of Amy and Jade, the attacking skills to Maddy and Evie, plus some solid hitting from Emily and Tilda we had high hopes of getting back into the game in the second half.

Sadly these hopes lasted for about three minutes when a second Marlow short corner one-two routine saw them double their lead.
We then mounted our best attack to date with the ball fizzing across from the right wing, but no-one was at the far post to convert.
Back came Marlow, easily breaking our press, to go down the right wing and pull it back across the D where they did have a forward on the goal-line to show us how it should be done. Three minutes later they did it again with another good run and a forward on the post to tap in.

At 4-0 down we continued to fight and Amy had a great shot saved and Jade couldn’t convert the rebound. But we then undone by another short corner routine before ‘keeper Maddie was forced off with a painful leg injury. Tori bravely volunteered to go into goal – without any padding – but the game was gone and we conceded three more in the final 10 minutes.

The girls showed plenty of fight and determination and could regularly match Marlow for individual skills all over the pitch. What we – as coaches – must work on is improving their set-piece plays; getting over how to play (and beat) the press against a good team, and improving everyone’s decision making on the ball.

Onwards and upwards…there is a training session next Sunday (23 October) at Altwood from 1.30- 3pm, while the Development Squad have a home game at Braywick in the morning.