MAIDENHEAD UNITED YOUTH 5 (3)

On a bitterly cold and foggy night the Youth team ended the year on a positive note with a fighting display over a spirited Uxbridge side. Although at times I did wonder whether we were playing against our selves as we scored 7 of the eight goals scored on the night.

With the game in doubt due to the fog it was only given the go ahead at 7-30 and the refereee stated he very nearly called the game off in the 8th minute before there was a slight lift.

Ian Henry opened the score for Maidenhead when he received a deep ball which he ran onto and lofted it over the oncoming keeper in the 9th minute.

We continued to dominate the opening exchanges as we took our attacking football to Uxbridge. Our pressure paid off when Ryan Hazell was brought down in the box when going for goal. Ryan dusted himself down and slotted home the spot kick.

Uxbridge replied quickly with a well worked goal and good finish.

Ryan Hazell notched his second to make it 3-1 in the 35th minute. It was hard to work out the move in the fog but the cheers from the away support confirmed we had scored again.

As usual we started the second half in self destruct mode. To be fair Uxbridge's goal in the 47th minute was virtually undefendable as the move was very good but nevertheless the ball came of the sliding body of 15yr old debutant Steve Deverall as he frantically tried to clear the ball.
We managed to steady the ship and looked comfortable when in the 71st minute Chris Ellis while under pressure passed the ball back to keeper Kieran Hudson. Kieron then did his own panto version of a Robinson clearance and completely missed the ball. Although the fog was thick it wasn't that thick!

Uxbridge now had their tails up at 3-3 and took the game to us. We endured a few scary moments and rode our luck before a neat through from Andre Turner found Ian Henry who raced to the byline to cross a pinpoint delivery onto the head of Ryan Hazell who nodded in his third of the match.

This killed of Uxbridge and we added to the scoresheet in the 86th minute when Ian Henry scored his second of the match with a low shot past the keeper.

All in all a nice way to round of the year.