After the preceding downpours in across the region led to some doubt that the match would even be played, Pinewood turned up to a resplendent pitch looking in fine order for their third round cup match against high flying Maidenhead. We all knew this would be a tough match, Maidenhead have only lost about 4 times in the past 3 years and are top of Division 4, a full 2 divisions above a Pinewood team who respected their opposition, but knew they would given them a tough match themsevles.

Pinewood lined up with a strong team, all 15 players available and raring to go! Finley assuming his normal position in goal, and a back line of Benn, Fabio, Josh and Leo. Will, Zabi and Sam settled into a strong centre mid with Daniel and Zach (in an unfamiliar winger role) across the middle, leaving top scorer Jackson up front. The game started well, Pinewood got on top of the cup favourites and began moving the ball well. After only 5 minutes Zach found himself with the ball in the opposition box and flashed a shot across goal, narrowly missing the far post. Zach again went close only 3 minutes later, picking up a clearance 30 yards from goal and lofting his attempt to lob the keeper wide of the mark. We had laid down the gauntlet to Maidenhead and, sadly, they took it up. On a rare foray forward the Maidenhead midfielder picked the ball up on the edge of the box and fired a low grasscutter into the very bottom corner of the net - clinical, and we were (somewhat undeservedly) 1-0 down. The game continued in the same vein, Daniel working relentlessly on the wing and ably supported by Sam in the CAM role. Will and Zabi mopped up well and sat well in front of he back 4, with Zach continuing to cause headaches for Maidenhead despite being a little uncomfortable in an unfamiliar position. Despite Pinewood endeavour Maidenhead struck twice more in the first half, again showing clinical finishing when it mattered to take the game into half time with Pythons trailing 3-0.

The second half saw team rotation and Nevaan coming on up front for Jackson, but Pinewood struggled to get going against a large, fast and strong Maidenhead team who started to settle into the game more. Still an even affair, the rapid wingers started causing Benn and Tegwyn problems despite Fabio and Leo in particular dealing well with the 6ft+ giant of a striker. Unfortunately, a lapse in concentration saw Maidenhead put in three more goals through the second half, but to their absolute credit the Pythons kept going, and began creating chances themselves with a wicked cross from Daniel just evading Zabi and Jackson going close to getting to shooting positions, only to be foiled by last gasp tackles each time. The game wound up with a 6-0 defeat, a scoreline that does nothing to reflect the chances Pinewood had, the even ebb and flow of much of the game, and the effort the lads put in.

Whilst we may have exited the cup to the favourites to win it (much as last season!) the boys need to reflect on the tireless effort and enthusiasm they brought into the match. They never stopped, they never shirked a challenge, and they even proactively offered to play out of position, with Teddy G putting in a solid stint at right-back to see the game out. Player of the match had to go to someone who epitomised that never-say-die spirit, and was awarded quite rightly to Daniel for a great display of desire and determination. Well Done Daniel!

Next week we focus again on the league, with a tough match against a physical FC Bracknell team to come. Up the Pythons!!!

Pinewood Football Club

Match Preview

Match details

Match date

Kickoff