Maidenhead Crown FC 3 – 2 AFC Phoenix Res / Roy Lester Memorial Trophy Round 1 ( Sunday Morning )
After the disappointment of last week in the cup we turned our attention to yet another cup and this time we were up against one of the early season pace setters in our division, AFC Phoenix Res.
Having lost to them 3-2 at the start of the season there was no better feeling when this time we beat them by the same score.
We knew that Phoenix don’t lose many games, in fact they had only lost one game this season prior to this defeat.
We started the match on the front foot and had a couple of chances in the opening 10 mnts, sadly to be blazed over the bar and wide of the post.
But a lack of concentration at the back meant that after 15 mnts we gifted the opposition an opportunity which they gratefully took and went 1-0 up.
We continued to press them and were finally rewarded.
25 Mnts played and after a good flick-on, new boy KENNY EATON finished superbly with a right footed shot that nestled into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal. It was a great debut for him and just reward for the team. The score now 1-1.
We continued our domination and after 35 mnts played we were awarded a penalty.
STEVEN EATON won the spot-kick and finished well from 12 yards, continuing a great run of scoring in every game he has played since joining the club.
Half time score 2-1.
We had to make some forced changes at half time due to injury. It took us a while to adjust to those changes but we were still able to go further in front and make the score line 3-1.
MATTHEW HILLIER broke the offside trap to then round the keeper and tap home. It was a great ball by the sub ALLAN BURTON that put him through.
The opposition knew that had to react or they would be out the cup, they pushed everything and everyone forward and with 75 mnts played scored to make the score 3-2.
The remaining 15 mnts made for a very open game and there was chances at both ends, one which our keeper JAMES THOMSON GRAHAM pushed over the bar with a fantastic save.
Special mention also has to go too JAMES MURDOCH for his man of the match performance in the middle of the park.
It was a great result and we are through to the second round. I am very proud of my lads not only for winning what was a very hard game but also to hold on at the end when they threw everything at us.
We are in cup action again next week when we travel to Farnham Park to take on Division 2 PHOENIX OLD BOYS FC.
