Before going into the match report I’d like to add a line or two about our pre-season.
 
I’m very pleased with the fact we have made some key signings this year. One of which is new assistant manager Russell Taylor. For those that don’t know Russ used to play for us and has been coaching the Windsor under 18s team, it’s great to have him back at the club.
 
Player wise we have also improved for the season ahead. Not only keeping our key players from last season, but adding significant numbers and quality to the squad. Seeing 16 there Saturday was great, and that was with a further 5 or 6 missing. Last season there were too many occasions where we turned up with 11 men against very good teams who took advantage, hopefully with the numbers this season that won’t be happening (although it is still summer, let’s leave it till the winter months). I look all over the pitch and we now have a lot of options, looking at the squad I would say no superstars, however a squad full of good solid players which will make picking the starting 11 and squad of 16 very difficult.
 
For the season ahead I hope we can build on the squad we have and looking onto next year get some even younger players through and look at starting up a reserve side (but that is for another day).
 
Anyway on to the game. After a long summer of no Saturday football for Old Windsor it was good to get back into the swing of things. Our visitors for the first game of the season were Berkshire Elite, a team that we knew very little about other than they have a successful youth team.
 
The game started scrappy with Old Windsor having a majority of the play, but very little in terms of chances falling to either side. Then after about 20 minutes Berkshire Elite took the lead from a free kick in side their own half. The ball was kicked long and Trent came off his line to gather, but with the hard ground the ball bounced over his head and into the back of the net. Not the start the boys were looking for.
 
Berkshire Elite then had their best 5 minute spell of the game and had a chance to double their lead with a strike that went wide from just outside the box.
 
Old Windsor then took control of the game. After having a decent penalty appeal turned down and a Bolding header against the woodwork, Old Windsor earned themselves a penalty with a break down the left, the CB went down in the area and handled the ball. Brad stepped up to calmly slot the ball into the corner of the net to make it 1-1.
 
Old Windsor were then on the front foot and looking dangerous. Having said that the Berkshire defence was standing firm with the keeper making a couple of fairly routine saves. Then after about 40 minutes Old Windsor put themselves in the lead. Ben twisting and turning upfront got himself a couple of yards before smashing the ball left footed past the keeper.
 
Half time
 
Onto the second half and the game started where it left off. Old Windsor were having a lot of the ball, but not taking the few chances they were creating. Chances fell for Ben who smashed his shoot wide, and on countless occasions Old Windsor misplaced their final ball when in good positions.
 
Then the key to having a strong squad, Old Windsor made changes and looked dangerous. Having said that Berkshire Elite were pushing forward and trying to get themselves back into the game. They had a shout for a penalty that was turned down and some shots from distance that never worried Trent.
 
After about 75 minutes OW got a free kick on the edge of the area which meant one thing, and Adam Ostler smash into the bottom corner to put the game to bed 3-1.
 
OW kept playing and with a mixture of Berkshire heads dropping and them throwing more men forward chance were coming for OW. Brad and Ben both scored one on ones (to give both two for the game) to give the game a 5-1 scoreline. Brad and Anthony also saw goals disallowed in the final few minutes which looked like tight offside calls.
 
A good start to the season for Old Windsor, with a very tough looking trip to Slough Heating on Saturday it was good to get three points on the board.
 
Berkshire Elite are a decent bunch of lads, who I really hope can find some form as they are a big positive for the league. We look forward to our visit to them later in the season.