Compasses FC 3 – 5 Maidenhead Crown FC / Sunday Morning Thames Valley Football League / Division 3
We made the long trip to Egham to face a mid-table COMPASSES side who gave us a stern test on the opening game of the season.
On that day we won 4-3, and this time round was not much different.
The aerial presence that Compasses have will test any team in this league, and it certainly tested us.
We started the game the brighter of the 2 teams but then found ourselves 1-0 down.
A hopeful cross from the right hand side eluded our keeper and was headed home from close range. Score 1-0
This was a very unusual situation for us to be in, we don’t normally concede the first goal.
Our reaction was superb and after 10 mnts DAVID BUTLER scored with a superb effort from around 25 yards out. Score 1-1
Man of the match KENNY EATON passed for ALAN BURTON to put us 2-1 up. After the defender intercepted, ALLAN robbed the ball of him to score at the second attempt after the keeper made a good save. This was after 15 mnts. Score 2-1
As we were looking to go further ahead, we were always vulnerable to the counter attack and this is exactly what happened, on 40 mnts we conceded a free kick which the home side took quickly, and we were beaten in the air again as the opposition forward was left un-marked to head home. Score 2-2
That scoreline remained the same until halftime.
HALFTIME SCORE 2-2
We knew we had to step it up a couple of gears and stand up to them. We did just that, a much better second half performance.
After 50 mnts MATTHEW HILLIER smashed the ball in the roof of the net from inside the penalty area. A very good finish. Score 2-3
On the hour mark, JAMES MURDOCH scored with a tidy header at the back post after a very good cross from KENNY EATON. Score 2-4
With 10 mnts to play, a long ball to the back post missed everyone and was headed home from close range. Score 3-4
With a nervy 10 mnts left and the opposition throwing everything at us, we broke and JAMES MURDOCH won a penalty with only 3 mnts left.
KENNY EATON finished the spot-kick well and also finished the game as a contest. Score 3-5.
This was a huge game in our bid to win the league, like I said, this will be a hard game for anyone in this league and I’m glad we came through it with 3 points.
We have no game this weekend so we now look forward to our game away to WINDSOR UTD on the 22nd of February.
