Deja vu for the Monarchs

For the second week in a row the Monarchs came a close second losing by one goal in an exciting, high scoring game.

There was definitely a sense of deja vu as the team started slowly with Leighton Buzzard (LB) taking control, and an early lead in the game.

Too many long balls left the Monarchs slightly disjointed and under pressure as the LB midfield intercepted and attacked the Monarchs goal at pace.

It wasn’t until the 20th minute that the Monarchs started to string a number of short passes together. The evergreen JC picked up the ball in midfield and fed Ashley, who had drifted out to the right wing, to put in a blistering cross onto Tim’s stick in front of goal to slam home - 1-1.

The goal gave the Monarchs renewed belief and confidence to start playing, stringing a number of passes and plays together to reach half time still level.

After the break, LB came out of the blocks at pace scoring two quick fire goals - this despite the valiant efforts of Bruce, Randy, Nick and Seb at the back.

At 3-1 it would have been easy for heads to drop and for LB to stretch away to a handsome win. But, led by the midfield dynamo of JC, James and Viren, the Monarchs pulled together. Wayne was also having more influence on the left too - with one foray upfield leading to a Monarchs short after a quick inter change between Viren and Tim. The well practiced and oiled Monarch short corner routine did not disappoint. After a sharp and accurate JC pass, Tim stopped the ball cleanly and rifled a blistering shot into the bottom right hand corner. 3-2 - game on!

Not for the first time LB came back strongly. Again LB found a quick response - 4-2. And again the Monarchs found a way back. Sharp Monarchs passing from right to left, and then from Viren in the centre to Tim upfront led to another short. On a hatrick, Tim again unleashed a cracking strike at the top of the D only to see a LB foot on the line stop a certain goal! After a quick discussion between the two umpires a flick was given. Viren, an image of calm, dispatched it to the left of the keeper. 4-3 with ten mins to go.

The last ten minutes was all Monarchs. A stretched LB defended resolutely against wave after wave of Monarchs attack. Much to the team’s frustration, the full time whistle went with the Monarchs on the wrong end of a 4-3 thriller for the second week in a row.

Man of the match: Tim Brennan
Match Report: Ashley Clark