SHC team:

1st XI

League

MBBO Regional

SHC captain:

Avtar Davatwal

Match date/Loc:

29th September 2007    -  Away (Altwood School)

Opposition team

Maidenhead 1

Final Score:

Maidenhead 0 – 2 Slough

Scorers and time:

0-1   Mansoor Ahmed (46 mins)

0-2 Mansoor Ahmed (58 mins)

Man of the Match:

Kal Mandair

First-half

 

Slough went into the 1st game of the season welcoming back Sukhi Banse to the 1st XI as well as Mandeep Daggar and Inder Daggar.  Slough adjusted their starting line up opting for the experience of Mandair and K.Davatwal in defence, with the pace of Ahmed and Saini in the forward line. 

 

Slough got the game underway and kept hold of the ball in their own half.  Maidenhead were playing a half court game which allowed the Slough midfield and defence to settle.  After controlling the majority of possession, Slough were able to win 2 penalty corners in quick succession.  Unfortunately on both occasions Slough were unable to trap the ball on the D Top and wasted both chances. 

Ahmed did break away from his marker on a few occasions but was unable to find the goal with his shots.  Maidenhead had on real chance after an attack from their right.  The Slough defenders were caught out of position but Daggar made a fine save to deny them.

 

 

Second-half

 

In the 2nd half, Slough pushed Saini into a much more advanced position to help Ahmed in the attacks.  Slough pressed the Maidenhead defence deep into their own half and the tactics paid off when Ahmed received a pass from Banse and was able to break clear.  After beating 2 defenders, he was able to release a shot towards goal that left the advancing Maidenhead keeper stranded.

With Slough taking the lead, Maidenhead coach changed his formation and went with an additional attacker.  This left them exposed at the back and Slough were able to take advantage with Ahmed bagging his 2nd goal of the game after some good build up play between Sabir and Saini.

With a 2 goal advantage, Slough were able to control the ball possession and see the game out.

Avtar Davatwal commented “It is always nice to start the season with the win.  I think having the likes of Madair and K.Davatwal in the side helped and they were able to control the game from the back.  It was also good to see Daggar in goal keep a clean sheet and will no his confidence the world of good.  We have a few aspects of our game to work on this week before the visit of Sunbury on Saturday, and Rover Oxford in the cup on Sunday”.

 

Team:  Inder Daggar (GK), Kartar Davatwal, Kal Mandair, Dil Davatwal, Sukhi Banse, Raj Davatwal, Robbie Saini, Aneel Sabir, Mansoor Ahmed, Avtar Davatwal (c), Waseem Suhail, Mandeep Daggar

Other notes/comments: next game  Sunbury - @ Slough HC – 2.30 start.