Monarchs fight back to draw at home to South Berkshire

It was on a back of a loss to Amersham that the Monarchs wanted to put behind them and show the side in the MBBO & league that they can compete against them. Never having played against South Berks before, the Monarchs wanted to make an early impression on them. However this was short lived as the opposition were intent on showing the newly promoted side what the step up in leagues is all about.
South Berks were on the attack early but the Monarchs back three of Bruce, Randy and Nick put in some early graft to keep the ball out of the D and Connor used his skills to keep the ball out of the goal. The first 10-15 minutes of the game were quite frenetic with play moving end to end but South Berks were slightly more dominant on the attack. The Monarchs did have a couple of chances during this time but they were not capitalised on. George was quite instrumental on the right wing during this time in working the ball across but also chasing back to defend, something he did throughout the game.
It was from a short corner after about 20 minutes of play that South Berks came away with the first score of the match, a ball that went in low on the right hand side of the goal. The Monarchs were not unsettled by this early set back and pressed forward with determination. It was during this late first half period of play that Ash received a ball just outside of the D and moved it into position for a tremendous strike which went passed the charging South Berks keeper with ease into the top right of the goal! One all and the game was on level terms again.
The second half saw more consistent play from the Monarchs who were utilising the shorter quicker pass to better effect and were also finding their players in open play a bit better. However on another short corner, South Berks capitalised on their ability to drag flick and got one past Connor and Randy, who nearly inadvertently used his head to save it, it was that high – 2-1. Maidenhead upped their game and there was good ball movement from the backs to the rotating mid-field of James, Gavin, JC, Wayne, George, Viren who moved ball purposefully to Clint, Tim and Ash rotating up front. It was during one of these phases of play that JC pick out Wayne on the right wing who sublimely crossed the ball into the opposition D. Clint went for a deflection and in so doing drew the keeper out of position who then missed the ball only for it to be pick up by Tim, lurking just off the P spot, who slotted it home – 2-2.
South Berks upped their attack during the latter portion of the second half and were again rewarded by a short corner which was initially saved by Connor but was flicked past him in the ensuing melee. With less than 5 minutes to go, the Monarchs managed to get a well worked short corner. With both the usual ‘injectors’ in JC and Clint off the pitch, Viren stepped up to get the ball to Tim, who cracked it towards the goal. The ball took a deflection off a defenders stick and went high into the back of the goal – 3-3. The game ended shortly afterwards but the Monarchs were on the ascent.
Today’s draw was a well worked team effort from all on the pitch and something to take forward into the next match against Slough, which is going to be an interesting one.

Man of the Match – George W
Match report – Clint Miles