U14 Boys win vs Ashford

Maidenhead U14 Boys won a closely thought match against Ashford on Sunday in far sunnier, if cold, conditions to their last match.
Bringing Freddie back into goal allowed Zac to lead the defence alongside Cleve, Declan and a fast improving Morgan (Year 6).
Early attacks from Ashford were expertly intercepted and closed down building confidence for the rest of the team.

The centre midfield of Marc and Ollie demonstrated great skills against their opposite numbers and gradually began to slot long passes through to Luke and James, causing havoc with the Ashford defence by playing most of the game almost in their D.
And if turnovers happened Edward and Max in the midfield hassled the opposition and frequently won the ball back for another wave forwards.
One of these attacks led to a free hit outside the Ashford D which Ollie self passed and finding an open path forwards dragged the ball around despairing tackles and finally through the keepers legs for 1-0.

Second 20 mins Ashford responded with stronger attacks leading to an even more open end to end game. Learning from the first period the striker team of James and Luke starting laying the ball back allowing Marc and Ollie to build pressure leading to a number of short corners.
Marc now operating as short corner receiver dragged one hit out onto his dangerous back stick and smashed a near "tomahawk" into the Ashford goal for 2-0.

Ashford responded strongly forcing the defence and Freddie into action. Saving a number of shots, and defence clearing many goal mouth scrambles was not enough as short corners began to be conceded. One particularly slick routine passed around the defence to slot home for 2-1.

Final 20 mins and Maidenhead's team took the attack back to Ashford. Winning a short corner the Ollie injection, and pass back from Marc, was slotted home to make 3-1. Ashford responded in kind with a goal mouth scramble making 3-2 and a tense last 5 mins.
Repeated short corners were repulsed and much relief at the final whistle to secure our first league win.

Thanks to umpires John and James for umpiring in cold, cold conditions.