Monarchs edge out South Berkshire

Coming in to this away game the Monarchs had just completed a slow but steady slide to the bottom of the table with another narrow and frustrating defeat. There seemed to be three significant factors. All too often Monarchs were starting slow and giving away an early goal, standard of play had been steadily dropping and we’re basically too old to be taking on teams with squad’s of 11 or 12 players (excepting Conor, George and Viren as our only sub 40 players all season). Some bold moves from captain Viren were the precursor to this match. A squad of 14 to offer more rotation and higher energy. A big Monarch’s welcome to Joe, joining from the U14s to inject some pace, energy and excellent skill to the midfield, and some significant positional changes. The opportunity to use Mike’s skill, determination and driving runs in the middle of the park with Clint offering to play in the centre of the back four. Viren starting himself on the bench, carrying an injury, would come on up front in rotation, making room for the other additions to mid-field.
South Berks, on paper, at home, were a tough proposition. Despite Monarchs managing a 3-3 draw in our last meet, S Berks were sitting 5th in the table and clearly fancied their chances against the struggling team. Monarch’s started well and showed promise in the opening exchanges. There was already promising signs of better movement and cohesion as a team. Some early excellent interventions from Conor in goal were needed but equally Monarchs were creating positive positions of our own. Unfortunately the opening goal came from the opposition. Some slightly fortuitous link up play on the edge of the D let to a frustrating goal. On the upside, Monarchs did not let heads drop and continued to play with better fluency. A truly world class finish from George ( chipping the keeper with a perfectly timed touch) was ruled out as the ball was lifted in to the D. The sub rotations began and the team continued to create promising positions in the opposition half. The equaliser came from some great persistence from Tim Brennan. Not his prettiest goal, a fortunate deflection, but they all count!
Clint had evolved into a sweeper role within the back four and was providing an excellent foundation from which Monarchs could build. The organisation across the whole of the back four was strong and a couple of very promising S Berks attacks were dealt with collectively. In addition Joe was working hard down the right on his debut. Good hockey going forward with end product, but crucially tracking back, pressing tight on the opposition ball carrier to thwart their wide attacks on a several occasions. As the second quarter progressed the match developed into an enthralling end to end context. Both teams winning short corners. Monarchs having the opportunity to try out some new routines to good effect but without a second goal. At the other end Conor contributed with an outstanding double save from a short corner. Another excellent performance from Conor throughout.
Not for the last time Monarchs would now execute fast turn over ball on the opposition. A lose ball just inside S Berks half was won by Viren, now finding himself a with a slight head start in a foot race towards the opposition D, with two S Berks defenders in pursuit and their goaly trying to time an intervention on the edge of the D. Some more persistence from Viren and lucky break (you make your own luck I say!) saw our Captain Marvellous through on goal with the keeper floundering behind him. With the opportunity to take a lead for the first time in many weeks in front of him our hero unfortunately tried to make too sure. A few extra seconds prompted a fantastic last ditch intervention from a S Berks back just as Viren finally shot. Less than 2 minutes later big V redeemed himself, following an excellent centre from the right, Viren first effort beat the keeper hands down but struck the right post. Viren kept his cool and dealt with the rebound swiftly 1-2 to Monarch. With the opposition losing their shape, putting themselves under pressure and clearly frustrated by Monarchs superior play. 1-2 it stayed until half term.
10 minutes into the second half and Monarchs are holding their own. A mass sub rotation caused a little confusion for 2 or 3 minutes but Monarchs weathered the storm. Some excellent interventions in mid-field again took advantage of the high press from S Berks as they tried to re-assert themselves on the game. Great interlink play between mid-field and the front line to make the most of turn over ball producing postions from which Viren was able to bag two more. A hat-trick from captain fantastic, playing up front on one leg! We are not worthy.
Things get a little tricky in the last 10 minutes as Monarchs, concede a goal under pressure, and give away a brace of short corners, one of which results in an excellent strike, inside the post. There was substitutional disruption to the Monarch defence….Bruce does not have the pace to be running one (!) but we need to work on defensive structure before the next game.
3-4 with a little under 5 minutes to go made this more uncomfortable than it needed to be. A little frustration drew a green card ( James?, who otherwise has an excellent game in the holding midfield role). Overall great team performance, with merit all other the pitch, against a strong side.
4-3 win away from home. New blood in the side. Off the bottom! Role on Monarchs!

Match Report: Bruce Greenwood