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Vs Spratton Hall
Maidwell 2 Spratton 4
Maidwell should be proud of their performance in the first match of the season. There was plenty of promise, particularly in attack with Jack Gray and William Burrow playing pivotal roles in the centre of the pitch, ably distributing the ball to the wings and repeatedly intercepting the opposition's passes. Maidwell took the lead early in the first half following a spell of persistent pressure, with Archie Bowlby getting the final touch in a goal-mouth scramble. Spratton hit back shortly before half-time, but the boys were positive at the break and the match was finely balanced. It was Maidwell who again broke the deadlock with the ever-threatening Jack Tripp slotting the ball neatly past the keeper. As the legs started to tire, however, it was Spratton's greater experience that started to tell and, having drawn level halfway through the second half, they managed to take control. Maidwell struggled to clear their lines and succumbed twice more to give Spratton a flattering, but deserved win.
Vs Oakham
Maidwell 4 Oakham 2
Sometimes sublime, sometimes somnambulant; the match ebbed and flowed in direct correlation to Maidwell's alertness. From the push-back Oakham caught Maidwell sleeping and dominated the first five minutes with strong tackling and hard-hitting earning an early lead. Fortunately, conceding a goal was the wake-up call Maidwell needed and they started to impose themselves upon the game; the central trio of Joss Stoddart, William Barrow and Jack Gray showed deft skill, strength and vision as they took control of the game. Taking full advantage of the large pitch they spread the ball wide to Hal Crichton and Archie Bowlby who attacked with pace and sent cross after cross crashing into the Oakham 'D'. Jack Tripp, at centre forward, harrying the Oakham defence pounced time and again, slotting in a hattrick in a 15 minute spell of demonstration hockey by Maidwell. 3 - 1 up at half-time and in the ascendancy, I took a leaf out of Brian Ashton's team-talk manual (Welsh edition) and sent them straight back to sleep. Luckily not all of them succumbed and Harry Allhusen lead a hugely improved defensive line with fierce tackling, well-timed interceptions and a newly-learned ability to clear our own lines. This staunch defence and brave goalkeeping (Hal Bicket) held out for some 10 to 15 minutes before conceding a second. Once more this was the impetus Maidwell needed and they awoke, driving forward with great skill. Jack Gray deservedly struck the final blow, a powerful drive from a short-corner that resounded off the back-board and the game was won. A very promising performance and a deserved victory.
Vs Akeley Wood
Maidwell 3 Akeley 2
Having blindly followed my "sat-nav" the wrong way out of Maidwell, toured the Northamptonshire countryside, arrived late and felt the odd raindrop beginning to fall in full knowledge that my snug, warm raincoat was on the back of my chair in the Common Room, the omens did not seem to favour us. So, when the Maidwell boys took the game by the throat from the outset and set siege to the Akeley goal, I felt somewhat more relaxed. Tom Pease, in his first start, was controlling the left side of the pitch, driving in threatening crosses; William Barrow and Jack Gray had complete control in the centre and, during the first 10 minutes, the ball barely made it into our own half. Finally Akeley managed to traverse the halfway line and even from my biased perspective I felt a bit of relief for them. They had an innocuous looking hit from their right, Maidwell encircled the hitter, he swung, cracking the ball ferociously towards the back post some 40 yards away, the centre forward's stick was planted firmly on the ground, ball met stick and whistled up past Hal Bicket's outstretched right hand, careering into the top corner of the net (my mind reverted to those omens!).
Fortunately the boys' determination did not waiver, they knew that they were the stronger team and they continued to press, but the chances kept going begging. "It'll happen" I kept saying, partly as encouragement, partly trying to convince myself, and eventually it did, William Barrow's persistence paying off with a well struck finish. Half-time arrived, the boys' confidence was high - I tried desperately not to send them to sleep this time - and they started the second half in the ascendancy. Unfortunately (what am I doing wrong?!), after 10 further minutes of dominance, Maidwell did start to dose, Akeley set up camp in the Maidwell half and, with little more than 5 minutes remaining, they took advantage of some uncharacteristic defensive frailties to score a second. Those omens again!
It was Hal Crichton who spurred the fight back, rallying the troops, he drove the ball into the Akeley 'D' and William Barrow again capitalised to beat the brave Akeley goalkeeper at the umpteenth attempt. "A draw is better than a loss", I thought - I had already received the "two minutes left" signal from the Akeley umpire - so I awaited the final whistle. The Maidwell boys clearly don't possess my pessimistic nature and they drove forward again, slick interchanges, a number of chances and a short corner was earned - this really was the last chance. Harry Allhusen joined the regulars around the opposition 'D', Jack Tripp pushed out the ball, Jack Gray controlled it, he slipped it right to Harry who unleashed a mighty shot into the bottom right corner. The final whistle was blown - Maidwell had deservedly beaten Akeley (and those omens!).
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