Maidenhead & Windsor

South League Premier Division Two Maidenhead 1 PHC Chiswick 1

Maidenhead returned to league hockey and struggled against a PHC Chiswick side bottom of the table and yet to win this term.

Maidenhead entered the game filled with confidence after winning for the first time since August in a friendly against Henley the previous week, and with a near full strength side.

The only absentee from the side that had finished before Christmas was Pete Latham, but there was a league debut for new midfielder Paul Bockett-Pugh.

Maidenhead looked by far the stronger in the opening exchanges, attacking fast and direct down both flanks, with left wing Matt McConkey and right wing Darryl Cassidy to the fore.

McConkey went close early on, firing a reverse strike low to the far corner, which the Chiswick keeper did well to save. Maidenhead continued to press and captain Nick Roberts' long ball found Cassidy on the back post - but unfortunately his touch took most of the pace of the ball and the Chiswick defence cleared.

Maidenhead also survived a couple of scares at their own end, with Spencer Bird looking sharp in goal. Two unconverted penalty corners for Maidenhead meant that the game arrived at half-time with the scores tied at 0-0.

After the break, the home side pushed their domination of the game to new levels, retaining possession of the ball for long periods, but were unable to create very many chances.

However, the opening goal came for Maidenhead from a fast break after a rare Chiswick attack. Roberts cleared to Cassidy, whose touch found Bockett-Pugh on the halfway line.

His early pass released McConkey, who used his pace to bypass his marker before slamming a reverse strike past the onrushing 'keeper into the bottom corner.

Still pressing heavily, Maidenhead lost concentration on a Chiswick break. The Maidenhead defence hesitated, thinking the ball had hit a Chiswick foot, but play was waved on, and the visitors produced a neat finish to level the score at 1-1 with 15 minutes to go.

Despite continuing to be the stronger side, Maidenhead were unable to find the winner. They now need to win at least four games to have a chance of staying up.

Team: Bird (GK), Cresey, Edwards, Gaze, Sood, Brown, Roberts, Allan, McConkey, Cook, Cassidy,Reid, Bockett-Pugh

London League Div One Maidenhead Men's 2s 1 London Wayferers 0

ANDREW Flynn's spectacular, first-time strike into the roof of the net with ten minutes to go finally broke down Wayfarers' stubborn defence.

Goalkeeper Dave Bockett-Pugh was voted man-of-the-match for his timely interventions.

Maidenhead Mens 2As 1 London Wayfarers 4 MAIDENHEAD'S defence had no answer to Wayfarers' incessant first half attacks, with the Londoners scoring four times without reply before the break.

A change in formation in the second half changed the pattern of the game. Maidenhead, with a bolstered midfield, put Wayfarers onto the back foot, and Turner was able to flick home a consolation after good work by Crowther,Reid, and Nattress.

South League Division 2 Brentwood 2 Maidenhead 4

MAIDENHEAD had to make some changes to their regular side against East League opponents Brentwood, due to a number of absentees.

Maidenhead made hard work of the first half but led 3-1 at the break. Chantal Frost, Debbie Keel and Clare Third scored the goals but it was a score that flattered Maidenhead.

The second half started better with pleasing moves down the right hand side. Keel linked up well with Third and youngster Elise Facer-Childs to create goal scoring opportunities.

Archer began the move that led to a fourth goal, spreading the ball wide, before it was drilled into the circle and Mgonigle despatched it home emphatically.

A lack of concentration at the back led to a Brentwood penalty corner and a goal - but it was Maidenhead who, while not at their best, looked most likely to score in the closing stages, as they cruised to a comfortable win.

Maidenhead: Stevenson, Third, Edgerley, Easson, Miall, Frost, Archer, Hohenauer, Keel, Facer-Childs, Mgonigle. Subs: Maudsley

* FAY Saunders, Jo Upton, Sam Beck, Sue Edgerley, Nicola Squires were on target in Maidenhead Ladies 3As 5-3 win against Sonning Vets

Maidenhead U16 Boys 4 Reading 0

MAIDENHEAD went to Sonning Lane having played just one match this season, due to county fixtures and cancellations.

But, despite this lack of match practice, Maidenhead took the game to Reading and scored through Brown after three minutes.

Both sides had opportunities in the first half but Maids were unable to convert when they were in Reading's D, while the back three for Maidenhead of Fletcher, Jones and Cooke closed down the Reading attacks.

Brown again scored after three minutes at the beginning of the second half. Reading continued to press but strong work by Jones in the midfield helped Maidenhead control the game.

Midway through the half Jones took another solo run through the Reading defence to score. With Reading down to ten players, due to injury, McElligott was on hand to score a late fourth.

Team: Sawheney; Jones; Fletcher: Cooke; Mitchinson; Brown; Jones (Captain); Crossley; McElligott; Blacker; Bahra :

ic Berkshire ~ Maidenhead