Monarchs win v Aylesbury

Man of the Match – James Bailey

It was a cold and wet start to the Monarchs second game of the season against Aylesbury at home. The visitors pushed back and were immediately on the attack which was quickly turned round. The Monarchs attacked in return with good runs made by Viren, JC and Clint in the middle, well supported by Rod and Richard on the wings with Tim and Chad up front. On this occasion the ball unfortunately went wide of the goal. Aylesbury attacked again and were successful on this occasion and after 5 minutes were 1 – 0 in front. Maidenhead Monarchs regrouped and after some very quick and accurate passes across the pitch were inside the oppositions D where Tim put a quick shot past the keeper to make it 1 – 1. The Monarchs had the run of play for the next few minutes with some good hockey by Richard, Cory, Rod, Clint, Viren and JC in the centre of the pitch and solid defence by James, Randy and Nick allowing the ball to reach the mid field who moved it quickly to the forwards. It was on the second parry into the oppositions D that Chad deflected a well-placed ball by Cory into the top corner of the opposition goal for the Monarchs to be 2-1- up. The game flowed back to Maidenheads half and D but a solid defence meant the Monarchs were able to drive forward again towards the opposition D. There were two short corners apiece during the first half for both teams which went unrewarded.
The second half saw the Monarchs started well and within the first 5 minutes, Tim had scored again, this time with a well timed strike that went through the keeper’s legs after a good ball in from mid-field; Monarchs were now 3 – 1 up. It wasn’t long before the opposition got the better of the Monarchs defence and put a well worked goal past Sean to take the score to 3 – 2. The Monarchs picked up the pace for the following 5 minutes and were again rewarded with a well worked goal from Tim, Viren, Richard, JC and Clint to take the Monarchs 4 – 2 ahead. Aylesbury gathered momentum and scored again shortly after to take the score to 4 – 3. The Monarchs sensing a resurgence from the opposition upped their game and worked the ball into the top left corner of the 23 yard area, the ball was slipped to Rod by Cory who found Tim in the D for his 4th goal to take the Monarchs to 5 – 3. Again the flow of the match went against the Monarchs when Aylesbury broke down their left wing. Randy was in hot pursuit but was felled by a sliding tackle by Sean meant for the opposition. The Monarchs sensing the game was now well within their grasp, pushed forward yet again with the ball being moved well from the back line of James, Randy and Nick and through the midfield by Cory again to Chad who was unceremoniously taken off the ball by the opposition keeper. The ball was still in the opposition 23 and Tim managed to out manoeuvre two Aylesbury defenders in the D and with the narrowest of angles, squeezed the ball past their keeper for his 5th goal of the match and to take the Monarchs to 6 – 3. The fight was not out of the opposition as they played the ball up their right hand side and after a hit in managed to get the ball through an otherwise tight defence for their 4th goal. The final play of the game was an opposition short corner which was given in the last seconds of the game and they piled up around the D but the ball was well saved by Sean and cleared by James and Nick out of the field of play.
It’s been a good start to the season for the Monarchs, but we are under no illusion that the matches are going to get tougher from here on in. there were a number of chances missed from the likes of Clint who put one over the posts and from Chad who thundered one into the post. Today’s win was a very well worked team effort from all on the pitch.

Match Report: Clint Miles