National League U19 Alliance

Academy South

Wednesday 16th March 2022

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.02

Maidenhead United U19 4 Oxford City U19 2, attendance 11

26’ 0-1

31’ 1-1

34’ 2-1

48’ 3-1

50’ 3-2

58’ 4-2

@ Berkshire College of Agriculture

Hall Place

Burchett’s Green Road

Burchett’s Green

SL6 6QR

No Admission or Programme.

It started raining shortly after I left home, gradually becoming heavier as the afternoon wore on. Midway through the first half I had doubts as to whether the game would reach it’s conclusion, especially when the game on the next pitch was abandoned due to water logging about half an hour in. To be fair, there had already been a game played on that pitch, which meant it deteriorated far more than ours, but full credit has to be given to all involved for seeing this one through. At no time was there any question that either team, or their coaches, wanted the game called off and it was refreshing to see a Referee who was looking to get the game finished. Sadly, there are far too many match officials these days who arrive at games with the attitude of ’can I find a reason to not play the game’ rather than looking at any positives.

The game was an absolute cracker. Oxford City certainly didn’t play like a team bottom of the table and were unlucky not to come away with a share of the points. Both teams attacked at every opportunity and this could have finished with both teams scoring double figures, such were the amount of chances created. The stand out player was the home No.9, who finished with a hat trick and gave the Oxford defence a torrid time, with his powerful running and strength in the air.

The set up here has two football pitches, running parallel, both roped off through wooden posts. The main pitch, the nearer to the buildings, which our game was on, has two dugouts, with the other having just one, on the far side.