07Oct/18

Another 6-0 win for Maidenhead U13 Girls moves them to 3rd in Division 1

U16 Girls

Maidenhead U13 Girls had their second 6-0 win in two weeks with a great all round team performance against Sandhurst U13 Girls on Sat 6th Oct. Although the match felt  competitive throughout, girls outplayed Sandhurst comprehensively by the end and moved up to 3rd place in Division 1 of the Berkshire County U13s Girls League. What’s most impressive about this achievement so early in the season is:

1) There are 3 divisions in total at the U13 age group in the Berkshire County Girls League and Maidenhead Girls are now in 3rd in Division 1.

2) That 2/3 of the girls in the U13 team are U12 girls playing “up” a year effectively. They are really talented squad overall.

Charlie Potter and Lily Gibson scored Maidenheads first 2 goals, with Lily’s being a real poachers goal as the Sandhurst keeper couldn’t keep hold of a Sofia Lacey shot. Emily McMaster scored the next 4 goals including a penalty, a header from a Sofia Lacey corner and an outrageous chip over their goalkeeper to finish things off.

In very wet and cold conditions what was particularly pleasing for the coaches was the energy and effort put in by all players, whether they were in the starting 9 or were substitutes. Great flexibility was shown by Emily McCartney and Lily May Shepard playing out of their normal positions to help the team be successful.

The Girls all celebrated with a bag of sweets for keeping a clean sheet and scoring more than 4 goals……

 

06Oct/18

Maidenhead Panthers vs Ashridge Park Rovers in the EBFA Trophy Event

U14 Boys - Panthers
Ashridge Park Rovers 5 Maidenhead Panthers 5 – Maidenhead won on penalties
The Div 7 U12 Maidenhead Panthers played Div 6 Ashridge Park Rovers in the EBFA Trophy Event on Saturday.
The Panthers team was:
Alfie Waller in goal, Harry James, Christopher Farkas, Adem Aitkaci, Callum Neeson-Roberts, Leo Cresswell, Billy O’Brien, Patrick Spiers, Will Howarth – so only 9 boys for 9aside.
The Panthers were 5-4 down with 2 mins left but Callum scored a last gasp equalizer to complete his hat-trick and force the team’s first penalty shoot out to keep the drama going.
Three heroic penalty saves from goalie Alfie Waller along with penalties from Will, Callum and Harry secured a cup win against a team in a higher division.
There were outstanding performances from everyone but in particular Will and Adem were awesome in defence whilst Billy and Christopher ran marathons in midfield chasing every ball and making great tackles.  The boys all worked so hard for each other and were first to the ball every time and clearly wanted to win.
Well done boys – you made everyone very proud of you!
06Oct/18

U11 Girls vs Thatcham & Newbury Town Blues

U15 Girls

The home match today was a great contest between Maidenhead girls and Thatcham & Newbury with some really good play from both teams.

The whole team had to pull together in the face of determined attacks from Thatcham & Newbury, but they never let their heads drop and continued to attack when they could. The efforts were rewarded by a great goal from Lizzy, but there wasn’t one player who didn’t play well and contribute to the team.

Thanks to all the players, supporters, the coaches, the bacon butty providers, Steve Croxford who refed the game and Thatcham & Newbury girls for playing so well and with such a good attitude.

We forgot the team photo at the end as everyone scurried away to get dry!

03Oct/18

Goodbye, Good Luck! and Welcome

U14 Boys - Foxes

Tonight and for the first time we loose an ‘Original Fox’ as he moves on to new challenges.  The fancy footwork will be missed and the team wishes him all the best.  The Foxes continue as a strong, friendly team as we also welcome our recently aquired new talent that will enable us to contiune to develop stronger.

01Oct/18

Berks and Bucks County Cup away to Windsor Youth Merlins U12 Jaguars

U14 Boys - Panthers

It was always going to be a tough game against a team 6 divisions above the Panthers in the EBFA U12 league. And it was. Final score was 12-0 to Windsor who were obviously the much more experienced team.

All the boys put up a brave effort including our man-of-the-match Alfie Waller. He made many fine saves to limit the damage.

The boys kept pushing for a consolation goal but to no avail. The Jaguars set a standard that we now aspire to.

 

30Sep/18

Maidenhead U13 Girls win 6-0 against AFC Reading

U16 Girls

On Saturday 29 Sept at home Maidenhead U13 Girls convincingly beat AFC Reading 6-0. It was win in style with great control, power and accuracy with all the girls playing their part. Sofia Lacey started the goals with a huge shot over the keeper having controlled a high ball herself. Lily Gibson then slotted 4 unanswered goals for the Maidenhead Girls with some excellent build up play from the whole team – defence to attack. It was Lily’s second hat trick of the season – she is on fire! Sofia then scored the last goal to finish a glorious sunny morning in style.

It was Maidenhead Girls second big win of the season and first clean sheet – having had 2 very narrow recent defeats to Wargrave and Thatcham (2-1 and 2-0). Next up are Sandhurst on 6th Oct at home on the Altwood School pitches.

Coach Andy McCartney said “Brilliant football today – nice to see Friday practice coming into play, well deserved win”

24Sep/18

Game vs Eversley and California Saints 22nd of September 2018

U14 Boys - Panthers

This really was a game of halves against the league leaders.

The Panthers were under the cosh from the kick off and defended resolutely for the first 10 minutes against attack after attack. Sadly we let in two soft goals. The opposition continued to attack and our only half chance in the first half came from good work between Harr McGill and Callum but to no avail. The opposition scored two more goals as the Panthers head started to go down a bit just before half time.

The second half was like two different teams playing. The Panthers dominated and had good chances from Callum (*4), Harry Willet, Harry McGill and Adem. However we came across an opposition keeper at the top of his game and he kept the ball out of his net with many fine saves. Callum won a last minute penalty with some great intelligence but although Will struck the penalty well, the keeper made another great save with the last touch of the game.

The second half performance was by far the best of the season so far and if we can repeat that for a a whole game then our first victory will certainly come soon.

 

Well done Panthers and Eversley and California Saints.

22Sep/18

2018-2019 BYDL Season has started.

U14 Boys - Foxes

The Foxes took on the Caversham Spitfires for their second game of the league. On wet day and playing in light rain it wasn’t the best of conditions but it was the first match at the new location and the mood was positive. Playing again the 3-3-2 formation that worked well before, the boys took a positive start.

The focus at the back was to try to implement the offside trap yet keep a strong defensive position. The boys started well with a number of decisions in our favour. From the midfield the opportunities were coming down the lines with the ability to make ground everytime we got the ball.

The greatest improvement was the closing down of the ball. All stepped in and were making some really strong and effective challenges. The score line was well in our favour as we crossed the ball and took our chances in the larger goals.

Towards the end of the match the opposition brought on an extra player just to try and even up yet we still pushed on. Unfortunately this confidence let the a lack of discipline in position as we push too high on goal. The forwards were in midfield, the midfield and defence were in attack and this led to leaving the back door wide open and conceeding. Largely it was a very positive and encouraging 50 mins to help look forward in the hope we are similarly dominant against stronger sides.

22Sep/18

U12 Pinewood Predators vs MBG U12 Panthers

U14 Boys - Panthers

We were down to 8 players for the game so agreement was reached with the opposition to play 8 vs 8. However we actually ended up playing against 9 in the first half.

It was a hard game and Pinewood took an early deserved lead. But then Harry McGill scored a 40 yard screamer into the ‘top bin’ to level the scores at 1-1 (Harry claims it was at least 50 yards out). Pinewood scored again but shortly after Leo Cresswell was through one-on-one with the keeper who made a fine save. Pinewood scored at third and then Harry James was through one-on-one with the keeper who made another fine save.

Half time score was 3-1 to Pinewood but it could easily have been 3-3. Great effort by the Panthers given we were a man down.

The second half was close but Pinewood scored a fourth near the end to finish the game off. However the Panthers didn’t give up and with the last kick of the game almost scored a second through Harry James.

Well done to Pinewood who deserved the victory.