Maids’ fine start shows no sign of slowing down
Maidenhead Hockey Club: Cowell's side keep clean sheet in 2-0 win over Staines
Maidenhead Men's 1sts strong start to the season shows no signs of slowing down as they went away to Staines and beat them 2-0 on Saturday.
The result lifted the side up to third in the table after four matches and there's a growing sense that this is no flash in the pain for Phil Cowell's side.
They've strengthened over the summer, bringing in new signings like Dean Harrison - who found the net again at the weekend - while they've also beaten Slough and Staines and drawn with Bournemouth and Banbury. To give that some context, Banbury hammered Slough's next opponents Henley 9-0 earlier in the season, while Bournemouth came within a couple of minutes of winning at leaders Marlow on Saturday, a game which finished 4-4.
After an even first half, Maids took the lead early in the second period, Matt Heller making the most of a counterattack to earn the visitors a penalty stroke which Harrison swept home. Then, five minutes later, Maids took another chance on the counterattack with Richard Mulvaney finding the net to make it 2-0 with what
Cowell called an 'outrageous' finish.
Reflecting on the game and their fine form this season, the Maids skipper said: “Saturday was a fantastic win. Staines away, I can't remember the last time we picked up any points against Staines. I think it was maybe three seasons ago, so to win away and keep a clean sheet is absolutely awesome.
“We've shown that when we have our full squad out, we can mix it with the best and we're still unbeaten. It's a positive sign that we can have a good season.
“First half on Saturday was fairly even, it was quite cagey. We conceded a few short corners but defended them really well. Second half we started well on the counter and Matt Heller broke away to win a penalty stroke which our new signing, Dean Harrison scored, that's two from two for him. Five or so minutes later, we took another chance, Richard Mulvaney put it in the top right corner, an outrageous finish from him.”
Maids have been relatively free scoring in previous seasons, however, what seems to be differentiating this season from the rest is the side's ability to defend. Saturday's 2-0 win at Staines was the first time they've kept a clean sheet in what Cowell believes might well be a year, while they've also thwarted and frustrated Bournemouth and Banbury away from home, conceding just four goals all season.
“Our defending has been very different to the last two seasons.” said Cowell. “Our new coach, David Joshua, has changed the mindset of the team and the way we set up. It's about being hard to beat. We've always had good attacking players, but our structure and formation has changed, and it suits the players we've got. We're able to control the game a lot better from the back.”
Maids are next in action at home to Henley on Saturday, November 5.
“It's frustrating to have this twoweek gap because we're playing well,” added Cowell. “Henley have always been a tough opponent for us. They've been in that league a long, long time.
“They've had a bit of a mixed bag so far. Henley are similar to us and if they're missing a few guys they're affected, but we certainly won't take it for granted.”