Next up was the New Years Eve trip to local rivals Maresfield, who are currently flying high in third place in the league. We were eventually outclassed by a superior side but for long periods we contained and frustrated Maresfield; we lost 3-0.

Clive White was welcomed back in goal for this game, in for Clift who was away, while Mayhew and McDougall also returned. We started the game expecting a tough battle and set our stall out early as everyone worked hard for each other, closing down and denying Maresfield any time and space. The defensive line, playing against a quick and potent strike force, handled themselves extremely well, between them Verrall, Mayhew and Burchett kept Maresfield chances to just long range and speculative efforts. We did create a couple of good opportunities to take the lead and Harrison even had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside. At halftime with the score still 0-0 the team felt confident of gaining at a least point and went out to again deny the opposition time and space. The stalemate continued for 10 minutes in the second half before all of the hard work was undone, a defensive slip caught a few players out of position and the ball was fired past the helpless White in goal. Things then got even worse as Felstein had to go off injured, and we lost a little of the combative element in the middle of the park. You always felt if Maresfield went in front that would be it and once they scored one then a second would surely follow. And so it was, Maresfield added a further two goals both from corners before the end of the game. Unfortunately we were unable to break the Maresfield defence down in the second period and they eventually cruised to a 3-0 victory.

Despite chalking up another defeat there were some positives to come from the game: the battling spirit and work rate was excellent, and the defence looked strong and resolute throughout the entire game and hence MOM was Dale Mayhew.

 

1	Clive White
2	Kevin McDougall
3	Richard Ambrose
4	Tim Burchett (C)
5	Dale Mayhew
6	Martin Verrall
7	Andy McPhail
8	Neil Felstein
9	Phil Pedley
10	Brian Gow
11	Karl Harrison
12	Noodles
14	Adam Smith
15	Ricky Parrish