Monarchs win first game of the season

The team won their first game of the season against a very spirited Aylesbury team who were full of both youth and experience; the Monarchs at the very least, had experience on our side...…..Despite a game plan to play to strengths of quick passing, being strong on the ball and playing to a player, the Monarchs were caught out twice very early on with the same tactics by the opposition who were 2-0 in the first 5 minutes! One of the goals was particularly special with a lob to finish. However, the team pressed on and soon had a good spell of possession and were beginning to force a string of short corners. Ash was using the ball down the line well and Clint and Wayne battled well in midfield to retain the ball on a number of occasions and get the attack going. Ash provided a good early ball to find Viren in the D who put the ball to the keepers right to pull one back. Wayne added a second very soon after with a great finish from a sweeping move to put the team back on level terms going into half time. The match opened up a lot more in the second half with tiring legs but the Monarchs seemed to have best spells of possession and soon we were starting to pass around the Aylesbury players with much better efficiency; JC working tirelessly in the midfield and the whole back 4 supported by Karl in goal kept Aylesbury out. James put a great ball down the right to Viren who found Clint in the D who finished very well in the top corner to put us ahead and give the team the lead for the first time. We should've probably scored more goals to kill the game off but with chances not quite taken, Aylesbury were still in the match and soon equalised with a counter attack. We then kept pressing for the winning goal; Tim was battling hard to win the ball back and get the attacks going again and the defence were standing firm and keeping the score level. The defence were really putting themselves on the line; Randy throwing himself in front of a drag flick from a short corner only to be caught in the ribs with the ball (with the undue result of facing another short corner straight after!). In the last minute or so, after what was probably a fortunate ricochet from a shot on the Aylesbury goal which took the ball over the keeper, Viren managed to tap home from a few yards out as the goalie was way off his line. A good first win which was deserved but probably made more difficult than it needed to be due to the slow start. 3 points and Slough at home up next. James was the man of the match for continuing to break up the Aylesbury attacks and getting the ball moving to our midfield/strikers.

Match Report: Viren Walia
Man of the Match: James Bailey