Nav’s late goal seals vital win for Maidenhead’s men over Oxford 2nds

Photo credit: Aaron Keenan Red Beard Photography / Aaron Redbeardphotography633

--

Maidenhead Men’s first team got back to winning ways in the league on Saturday with a much-needed 3-2 victory over Oxford 2nds at Altwood School in the South-Central Open Men's Division 1 North.

The early exchanges were nervy as Maids struggled to get hold of the ball and make use of it in a meaningful way.

Karl was called upon to make a couple of early saves and when he was beaten, Marcus dropped back to clear another shot off the line from an Oxford short corner.

After 10 minutes of skirmishes and close calls, Maids broke up field and broke the deadlock.

Dom showed a calmness under pressure in the middle of the park to set the move in motion and AJ swept the ball past the keeper and against the backboard to make it 1-0.

Shortly after though, Oxford got themselves back on level terms and they did so in controversial circumstances.

With goalkeeper Karl pinned to the floor by a fallen Oxford forward, the ball spun free to a visiting player at the back post, and he was able to tap in. Maidenhead’s defenders appealed in vain for a foul and some leniency, but they got none from the two umpires who allowed the goal to stand.

Fortunately, Maidenhead were roused by the injustice and retook the lead when AJ found Nav at the back post and he was able to compose himself before slotting home. 2-1 and the half-time team talk focused on the positives rather than the negatives. It also called for calm heads as this win was very much needed.

  Oxford stepped up their efforts though and their forward endeavours were rewarded when they levelled the match for a second time from a penalty flick.

With time ticking by both sides collected cards as their frustration - and will to win - boiled over.

Karl and Marcus were again called into some last ditch defending to keep the home side level while Paul and Luke produced a couple of superb tackles to thwart Oxford counter attacks.

Those moments proved vital and showed how little Maidenhead were prepared to settle for a draw.

Mete showed great energy and determination in midfield, putting in a man of the match display which dragged his teammates with him.

His best performance of the season helped pin Oxford in their own half and with just five minutes to play, Nav coolly converted his second of the day to send the home supporters into raptures.

It gave Maidenhead a hard-fought but well-deserved win and the team will look to carry this form and momentum into next weekend’s trip to South Berks.

The result lifts the team to ninth in the table, two points above Windsor 1s and three points above Oxford University 2nds who sit second bottom.