Monarchs lose entertaining match with Slough

The much anticipated Slough match of the 20/21 season was played without the torrential rain which had been forecast and the ducks which had invaded the pitch for the earlier games had left.

The Monarchs were fired up for the game, having not played Slough last season. The match started with a few probing attacks from either side as they tried to get the measure of each other. Slough had some pace up front. The Monarchs for a change had some speed in Joe and Rob, whom they would put to good use as the match wore on. The game was fairly evenly matched for the first 15 minutes with a couple of SC apiece, but both sides were not able to capitalise on them. The latter half of the first half saw a flurry of goals, the first coming from a Monarchs SC. JC had been subbed just prior and Clint was nominated to push out to Tim. Tim stopped the ball well and put a well time miss-hit towards the goal where Clint managed to get a deflection on the ball to edge it past the Slough keeper and defender, 1-0 Monarchs., Shortly afterwards with some well worked passing Viren received a ball from Tim which he put past the keeper, 2-0 Monarchs. This was a welcome relief to be 2 goals up against our biggest rivals, however it was not to last, Slough put the pressure on and got two goals, one from open play and one from a SC before the end of the first half.

Half time team talk focussed on working hard and getting decent passes to our players. Unfortunately, this was not the case as Slough took an early lead and scored from open play again, taking them 3-2 up. The Monarchs came back with some good play from Ash in the middle and the backs of James, Wayne, randy and Nick worked hard to defend the slough onslaught. Joe worked well out wide and linked in with JC, Clint, Viren, Tim and Rod to create some good chances. Rob made a good run to the Slough D halfway through the second half and pushed the ball to Viren who played it back to rob who struck the ball into the pitch and as a result bounced erratically which the Slough keeper miss-timed, 3-3 was the score. Slough got 2 SC not long after and this is their goal scoring tactic which paid off for them, 5-3 to Slough. The monarchs didn’t let their heads drop and fought back and Wayne received the ball on the right of the Slough D and stuck it majestically into the goal, the fight back was on, 5-4.

Unfortunately, the clock was against the Monarchs and the final whistle was blown just as we were mounting another strong attack on a flagging Slough team. The final score was 5-4 to Slough. We will hopefully eke out at draw when we play them next, although it is going to be an away match at Slough.

Match report – Clint Miles
MOTH – Joe Henwood