Maidenhead Men’s 1st XI got back to winning ways with a much needed 3-2 victory over Oxford at Altwood on Saturday.

The early exchanges were a little nervy, with Maids struggling to get hold of the ball for any prolonged periods of possession, and Karl was forced into a couple of early one-on-one saves. Marcus was also on hand to keep Oxford at bay, clearing a shot off the line following a short corner.

After ten minutes, however, Maidenhead broke the deadlock. Calm control in the middle of the park from Dom set the attack into action down the right-hand side, before AJ swept the ball against the backboard to make it 1-0.

Shortly after, Oxford found themselves back on terms in controversial circumstances. With Karl pinned to the floor by a fallen Oxford forward, the ball found its way to the back post for a tap-in and, despite the pleas from the Maidenhead defense, the goal was allowed to stand by the two umpires.

Fortunately, Maidenhead went into the break with the lead, as AJ found Nav at the back post, who composed himself to slot the ball past the despairing Oxford goalkeeper.

The half-time team talk called for calm heads and a continued push to put the game out of sight, but it was Oxford who started the second half in brighter fashion, and their endeavour was rewarded with a second equaliser of the match, this time courtesy of a penalty flick.

Huge thanks to Aaron Keenan at Red Beard Photography for the amazing photography on the day.

With time ticking by, both sides picked up cards as they became increasingly frustrated in their push for all three points. Karl and Marcus were once again called into some last ditch defending, and both Paul and Luke produced a couple of superb tackles to thwart the visitors’ counter-attacks.

But Maids were not content to share the spoils. Great energy and determination from Mete in midfield, his man of the match performance undoubtedly his best outing of the season, ensured Maidenhead would pin Oxford deep in their own half, and with just five minutes left on the clock, Nav coolly converted his second of the day to send the home fans into raptures.

A hard fought but ultimately well-deserved win, and the boys will look to carry this positive momentum into next weekend’s trip to South Berks.