Woking vs Maidenhead

Ron Weasley. Paul Scholes. Tomato Ketchup. All share similar traits - quiet, consistent team members, with occasional brilliance. On Saturday, another joined their ranks, to boost Woking HC to a much needed win against Maidenhead.

The team warmed up in high spirits - drizzling rain set the perfect conditions as the warm ups began, and after an above average speech by Coach Casson, the boys began the game - keen to turn their season around.

A strong start by Woking set the tone for the first half, with possession kept well around the back by Barton and Ming. Leading runs kept Maidenhead on their toes, and soon a rebound was tucked away by captain McLean.

With the lead in place, it wasn't long before the pressure became too much again, as a well-worked move from the backline lead to Macdonald's attempted pass half-cleared to the top of the D to third-time debutant Wilman. His first match in the 1st XI this season started with a bang, as the ball was powered expertly into the bottom corner past the flailing keeper.

Buoyed by the enthusiastic celebrations, Woking carried on dominating the first half, earning a penalty flick which was handily tucked away by Ayala. Unsurprisingly, Pike joined the score sheet, to add to his already impressive tally, ending the half 4-0. Pike decided to celebrate this goal by getting carded just as the half-time whistle blew.

As the old cliché goes, it's a game of two halves and unfortunately Woking decided to prove this. Maidenhead applied the pressure, and Woking struggled to escape from their press. To compound their issues, the boys remembered Christmas is on it's way, and started collecting cards, with Furness, Sutherland and Ayala joining Pike on the umpires naughty list.

Maidenhead earned three goals throughout the half, testing Woking's resilience, and leaving the last quarter of the match to a much closer contest. Fortunately Wokings defence persevered, and the team left for the showers with a well-earned three points.

Coach Casson said - "I was so pleased with the result, I invited the boys out for Pizza Express and a night out in Tramps to celebrate. Now we need to use this momentum to carry on earning points."

Man of the Match Wilman stated - "It was brilliant to help the team to a win today, as well as having the opportunity to showcase my well-known goal-scoring abilities. On to next week and another three points."