On a bright, still and mild Saturday morning perfect conditions for football, Polarbears were looking to build on the previous weeks performances and results and bolster the growing team confidence. However, visiting side Maidenhead B&G Falcons were always going to provide a challenging fixture and difficult opposition to negotiate.

The crowd eagerly anticipated the whistle and the game kicked off, each team battling hard and trying to impose authority on the game. Both teams were proving strong in the challenge and committed to winning possession resulting in an evenly matched first 5 minutes with few chances created and both teams’ midfield and defences holding strong.

The first chance provided Maidenhead a breakaway and through ball found its way to the dangerous Maidenhead striker but under pressure and strong defending by Jakub Pinewoods talisman centre back, the shot went wide of the post with GK Rhys covering the angles well.

This spurred on Pinewood to assert some good pressure with Jack, Charlie & Jacob battling hard in midfield to win possession, but chances were proving hard to create for both sides and with 10 minutes gone the game was still goalless, Maidenhead just edging the chances created.

With 15 mins gone GOAL, Maidenhead’s dangerous striker slotted in bottom left corner after another fine through ball. Nothing Rhys could do about that.

Substitutions on George and Carrick. Pinewood registered their first shot on target 19th minute Jacob with a lobbed shot from distance, well held by the Maidenhead GK. Even game though so far both sides cancelling each other out.

In the 23rd minute fine work and a bullish dangerous run into the opponent’s penalty area from Charlie, late tackle and desperate attempt to stop the run from the Maidenhead defender. PENALTY Pinewood!!! Up stepped Charlie after dusting himself down and smashed the penalty confidently into the roof of the net, no chance for the maidenhead goalkeeper.

With the scores level and Polarbears gaining confidence from the penalty, good pressure again without reward, Maidenhead defending well.

Last 5 of the half Polarbears tiring and looking for half time, Maidenhead sensed an opportunity pressuring the Polarbears defence but finding Rhys in fine form keeping the scores level with a string of saves and confident handling in the Pinewood goal.

With the final minutes of the half ticking by it was Maidenhead who regained the lead, the powerful striker riding three Pinewood challenges before putting the ball into Pinewoods net. Pinewoods heads dropped understandably and again right on the final whistle for the half the Maidenhead striker found himself on the end of a through ball and placed his shot low and right of Rhys, 3-1 HALFTIME. A cruel end to a battling and encouraging first half from Pinewood.

The 2nd half kicks off and again Maidenhead looking dangerous. Another goal for Maidenhead 3 mins in 4-1. Pinewood trying hard to keep their heads up and continued to press and try to stem the Maidenhead pressure, everyone working hard with defence, midfield and forwards leading the press to try to get back into the game, tremendous effort but Maidenhead soaking up well and proving to be a tough opposition.

As the 2nd half waned on Maidenhead continued to pressure and create chances and eventually in quick succession two more goals added by Maidenheads striker and in a desperate attempt to keep the ball out of the net Luke Rose giving 100% as always turned a cross into his own net, nothing more he could do there so unlucky. 6-1 Maidenhead. The theme continued with Maidenhead piling on the pressure and Polarbears restricted to counter attacking football and eventually the pressure told again Maidenhead making it 7-1 from the spot and adding a further two goals late on to make it 9-1.

Report by Matt Cristou (Parent)

Pinewood Football Club

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